ID-Secure - DNA profiling for individuals and organisations to establish identity

Asia & Oceania

Asia and the Pacific are among the most disaster prone regions in the world. Every year,
disasters of all kinds cause huge loss of lives and property in the region causing a severe setback to the development process. The region accounts for only 30% of the world's landmass but receives disproportionately higher disaster impacts.

The earthquake and resulting tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 affected many countries in Southeast Asia and beyond, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Somalia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Seychelles and others. Many other countries, especially Australia and those in Europe, had large numbers of citizens traveling in the region on holiday. Both Sweden and Germany lost over 500 citizens each in the disaster.

DNA profiling was successfully used to establish the identity of some of the victims.

Earthquakes in Bhutan, Indonesia, Sumatra and Georgia plus Typhoon Ketsana, Typhoon Koppu, and Tropical Storm Mujigae all happened in September 2009.

The region is particularly susceptible to water based transport disasters, and in the past 10 years thousands have keen killed whilst travelling on overcrowded ferries.

With the world's focus on the conflict in Afghanistan, the rebuilding efforts in Iraq and the new zone of militancy in Pakistan individuals and organisations seeking to travel or work in the region are recommended to take the guidance offered by their national governments.

Timeline :: 2000 :: 2001 :: 2002 :: 2003 :: 2004 :: 2005 :: 2006 :: 2007 :: 2008 :: 2009