ASEAN's Evolution in Disaster Management

A new milestone has been reached by thestrengthen measures for emergency relief,
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention.  The
in the evolution of disaster management for themeeting adopted a declaration of action in these
region.   Recently, the Philippines’ Senateareas notably of mobilizing the international
ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Disastercommunity to support national relief emergency
Management and Emergency Responseprogramme.  Of significance was the call for the
(AADMER), and with that the agreement isdevelopment of a regional instrument on disaster
expected to enter into force by the end ofmanagement and emergency response, the
2009.   The ratification marks a significantestablishment of tsunami early warning system
highlight in ASEAN’s collective efforts to buildfor the Indian Ocean and the Southeast Asian
a disaster-resilient community by the year 2015. region, and implementation of preventive
The agreement binds ASEAN member states intomeasures including public awareness and capacity
legal responsibilities to promote regionalbuilding. (iii)
cooperation and collaboration in reducing disasterAn interesting feature in ASEAN’s evolution
losses and intensifying joint emergency responseof disaster management was the tacit
to disasters in the ASEAN region. acceptance by member states for the utilization
 Margareta Wahlström, the UNof military together with civilian personnel in
Secretary-General’s Special Representativedisaster relief.    The establishment of a centre
for Disaster Risk Reduction described theto coordinate regional disaster response was also
agreement as the first of its kind in the world, anagreed upon and is now ongoing.
agreement that oblige Asian states together to 
address disaster risk reduction and improve theirThe ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management
preparedness for response.  It also provides forand Emergency Response (AADMER)  which was
the establishment of an ASEAN Coordinatingsigned by  the member countries in July 2005 in
Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disasterVientiane, Lao PDR,  established the mechanisms
management (AHA Centre) to undertakefor achieving substantial disaster risks reduction
operational coordination of activities under theand emergency response.   A salient feature of
Agreement.  Since the signing of the AADMERthis accord is that the agreed framework for
agreement in 2005, ASEAN has put into placedisaster risk reduction is based on the Hyogo
measures for standard operating procedures,Framework for Action (HFA) 2005 -2015: Building
training and capacity building, disaster informationthe Resilience of Nations and Communities to
sharing, communication network, and rapidDisasters.
assessment team.   Cyclone Nargis whichASEAN conducts annual disaster simulation
affected Myanmar last year became a test bedexercises to enhance the capacities and
for ASEAN coordinating mechanism and its role ascapabilities of member countries in joint disaster
the humanitarian bridge between the internationalmanagement operations.  These simulation
community and the affected population.(i)exercises organized in conjunction with
 contingency planning workshops facilitated the
The ASEAN Committee on Disaster Managementimplementation of the AADMER and also the
(ACDM) was established  in 2003.  Its formationdevelopment of the ASEAN Standby
elevated the institutional mechanism which hasArrangements and Standard Procedures (SASOP)
existed since the 1970s and comprised of expertsfor regional disaster management. (iv)
group.  The ACDM consists of heads of nationalThe logical progression in its evolution apparently is
agencies responsible for disaster management ofbroadening regional cooperation in disaster
ASEAN member countries.  With the objectivemanagement and this is borne in the agenda of
of having disaster-resilient nations and saferthe fourth East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Hua
communities, ACDM developed an ASEANHin, Thailand.
Regional Programme on Disaster Management References:-
(ARPDM) which provided the framework for(i)     Press Release. ASEAN Disaster
cooperation for the period 2004-2010.   ThisManagement Agreement to Enter into Force by
regional programme consequently became theEnd of 2009. ASEAN Secretariat, 16 September
platform for cooperation and collaboration with2009.
ASEAN Dialogue Partners and relevant(ii)   Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 
international organizations.  Its regional strategyThe ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management
on disaster management identified prioritiesand Emergency Response.
encompassing response action plan, capacity(iii) Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 
building, information sharing and communicationASEAN Standby Arrangements for
network, partnership with pertinent stakeholders,Disaster Relief and Emergency Response
funding support, and generating public awareness(iv)    Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 
including activities for disaster risk reduction.  TheASEAN Disaster News Watch.  6 September
programme , launched in May 2004 became the2006. ASEAN to test regional emergency
structure for concerted regional cooperation inresponse and humanitarian assistance capacities in
disaster management in the ASEAN region fittinga simulated flood disaster in Cambodia.
in well with the regional strategy for disasterNote:   The Association of Southeast Asian
reduction.(ii)Nations is composed of Brunei Darussalam,
 Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar,
In the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Daythe Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
tsunami, ASEAN leaders held a special meeting to