Introduction Duryog Nivaran net is a network of individuals and organizations working in South Asia who are committed to promoting the alternative perspectives on disaster and vulnerability as a basis for disaster mitigation in the region. This perspective is derived from the experience of organisations working in development in disaster prone areas of the South Asian sub-continent. Duryog Nivaran is the first South Asian initiative on disaster mitigation, a region where disasters are diverse in their social economic and cultural dimentions. It is an innovative and creative approach to solving problems. Duryog Nivaran focuses on disruptions in society that induce are intensified by disaster like earthquakes, floods, conflicts and famines. The dominant perspective on disasters and conflicts is that they are isolated events needing emergency reponses of one kind or another. The emphasis is on the event, and intervention are made after the event occure. Duryog Nivaran's alternative perspective is to look at disaster and conflicts as unresolved problems of development- as part of the 'normal' development of societies. Relationships and structures within society determine why certain sectors are more vulnerable to disasters than others. These forces and factors dictate who has power and resources and who has more control over their lives. Duryog Nivaran believes that it is important to understand the vulnerability of different people to disasters and that reforming these relationships can strengthen peoples capacities to cope with disaster. Duryog Nivaran recongonize that disaster and conflicts can be opportunities for social transformation. Duryog Nivaran aims to reduce the vlnerability of communities to disasters and conflicts by promoting the integration of alternative perspectives on disaster and vulnerability in development and disaster mitigation programmes.