ASEAN’s Evolution in Disaster Management.

">Margareta Wahlström, the UN
A new milestone has been reached by theSecretary-General’s Special
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction
in the evolution of disaster management for thedescribed the agreement as the first of its kind in
region. Recently, the Philippines’ Senatethe world, an agreement that oblige Asian states
ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Disastertogether to address disaster risk reduction and
Management and Emergency Responseimprove their preparedness for response. It also
(AADMER), and with that the agreement isprovides for the establishment of an ASEAN
expected to enter into force by the end of 2009.Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance
The ratification marks a significant highlight inon disaster management (AHA Centre) to
ASEAN’s collective efforts to build aundertake operational coordination of activities
disaster-resilient community by the year 2015.under the Agreement. Since the signing of the
The agreement binds ASEAN member states intoAADMER agreement in 2005, ASEAN has put into
legal responsibilities to promote regionalplace measures for standard operating
cooperation and collaboration in reducing disasterprocedures, training and capacity building, disaster
losses and intensifying joint emergency responseinformation sharing, communication network, and
to disasters in the ASEAN region.rapid assessment team.