This article examines the policy and institutional frameworks for response to and man-made disasters occurring in the Danube basin and the Tisza sub-basin. Response to these types of incidents has historically been managed separately, as has the monitoring of these types of incidents. Given policy distinctions in response to natural and man-made disasters, we discuss whether the distinctions remain functional given recent international trends toward holistic response to both natural and man-made disasters. We suggest that these distinctions are counterproductive, outdated, and ultimately flawed and conclude with a reflection of the lessons learned, and propose an integrated framework in the Danube basin and Tisza sub-basin.