Vol 66 – EU-SAHA THROUGH THE EUROPEAN UNION
EU-SAHA THROUGH THE EUROPEAN UNION
The Integrated Programme in Enhancing the Capacity of AHA Centre and ASEAN Emergency Response Mechanisms, known as the EU-SAHA programme, is an initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of the AHA Centre in order to achieve operational excellence in disaster monitoring and emergency response, as well as enhance mechanisms for ASEAN leadership to ‘respond as one’ through excellence and innovation in disaster management.
Funded through a partnership with the European Union, the programme is being implemented across four years from December 2019 to December 2023, utilising a total fund amount of EUR 7.2 million. The EU has also awarded funding to the Swedish Civil Contingency Agency and the Estonian Rescue Board to complement activities directly implemented by the AHA Centre through this programme, in the form of the Leveraging ASEAN Capacities for Emergency Response (LACER) project. LACER will be implemented with an overall focus on institutional capacity development to augment sustainability and utilisation of AHA Centre’s operational capacity. The project is also aligned with the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2018-2022), more specifically within the “Enhance cooperation on Crisis and Disaster Management” objective found within the plan.
The AHA Centre also forms the operational counterpart of the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) under the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO). These above initiatives and more will enable ASEAN and the European Union to further strengthen their partnership in disaster management and disaster risk reduction across their respective regions, through a sustained longer-term institutional collaborative effort that is in line with their commitments and obligations at the global level. The launching ceremony for the EU-SAHA programme was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 27 January 2020. The Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, the Ambassador of European Mission to ASEAN H.E. Igor Driesmans, and the Executive Director of the AHA Centre Ms Adelina Kamal were all in attendance at the opening ceremony.
The AHA Centre is utilising a multi-level approach to implement the programme, which is undertaken by engaging at national, regional, and inter-regional levels within ASEAN and the EU. At the regional level, the AHA Centre focuses on the implementation of regional activities that involve all ASEAN Member States, which is also in line with the AADMER Work Programme and the AHA Centre Work Plan, alongside other key documents on disaster management that have been adopted by ASEAN Leaders. At national level, it focuses on facilitation of required training and activities aimed to increase the capacity and capabilities of Member States on disaster management, with the National Disaster Management Organisations forming the main national focal points. On the inter-regional level, the key focus is the exchange of knowledge and training between the AHA Centre and the ASEAN Member States with relevant EU and UN institutions, and other international organisations. The primary aim at this level is to enhance skills and capacity to prepare for responding both inside and outside the regions.
Written by : Moch Syifa | Photo : AHA Centre
- Published in Partnership
Vol 66 – GETTING TO KNOW EL NIÑO & LA NIÑA
GETTING TO KNOW
EL NIÑO & LA NIÑA
El Niño and La Niña are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. As we begin the latest La Niña phase, we can take a little time to learn about their history and what they really mean for our current weather and climate.
EL NIÑO
El Niño means the Little Boy – or Christ’s Child – in the Spanish language. It was originally recognised by fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s, and was formed by the appearance of unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean for a certain time of the year. The name was chosen based on this time of year (which was around December), during which these warm water events tended to occur more often.
In modern times, the term El Niño refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction that is linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific region. Typical El Niño effects usually develop over the Northern America continent during the winter season, and is signified by warmer-than-average temperatures over western and central Canada, as well as over the western and northern United States. Wetter-than-average conditions are likely over portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, while drier-than-average conditions are found in the Ohio Valley and the Pacific Northwest. The presence of El Niño can significantly influence weather patterns, ocean conditions, and marine fisheries across large portions of the earth for an extended period of time, and have significant causal effects on other weather-related events.
LA NIÑA
La Niña, on the other hand, is Spanish for the Little Girl. La Niña is also sometimes known locally as El Viejo, anti-El Niño, or ‘a cold event’. Simply put, it forms the opposite conditions to the El Niño event.
La Niña episodes represent periods of below-average sea surface temperatures across the east-central Equatorial Pacific. La Niña impacts on the global climate tend to be opposite those caused by El Niño, and in the tropics, ocean temperature variations in La Niña also tend to be on the opposite end to the weather patterns attributed to El Niño. In general, during a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than usual in the southeast of the Northern American continent, and cooler than normal in the northwest.
Source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html
- Published in Insight
Vol 66 – MONTHLY DISASTER REVIEW AND OUTLOOK
MONTHLY DISASTER REVIEW AND OUTLOOK
OCTOBER 2020 | DISASTER MONITORING & ANALYSIS
(DMA) UNIT, AHA CENTRE
GENERAL REVIEW OF OCTOBER 2020
A total of 89 disaster events were recorded for the month of October 2020, which is almost twice the amount recorded in September 2020 (45), and is eight times the amount recorded in October 2019. The number of recorded disasters for the month is also six times that of October’s previous five-year average. Along the same lines, the figures show significantly higher occurrences of affected people, internally displaced people, damaged houses, casualties and missing persons when compared to the previous 5-year averages, however, there was a decrease in the number of disaster-related injuries recorded. Such high figures can be attributed to the impact of tropical cyclones that affected the Philippines and Viet Nam (namely Tropical Depression OFEL and Typhoon MOLAVE). A combination of weather systems has also been reported as affecting both Cambodia and Lao PDR according to the National Disaster Management Office of Lao PDR and the National Committee on Disaster Management of Cambodia. Additionally, with the onset of La Niña conditions, torrential rains became more likely across the ASEAN region, and with this, the potential for hydro-meteorological and climatological disasters is significantly higher than previous five-year averages – according to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre and the Bureau of Meteorology Australia.
On the geophysical front, a total of 33 significant earthquakes (M≥5.0) were reported in the region during October 2020. Ongoing volcanic activity was reported for the Indonesian mountains of Ibu, Semeru, Dukono, and Kerinci, as well as Bulusan, Kanlaon and Taal mountains in the Philippines. No significant damage occurred as a result of volcanic activity during October 2020, which in some cases can be attributed to improved preparedness and response mechanisms around the active volcanic areas.
SEASONAL OUTLOOK
The Southwest Monsoon gradually made way for inter-monsoon conditions during early November 2020, as the prevailing winds over the ASEAN region became generally weak and variable. Inter-monsoon conditions are characterised by increased shower activities over most parts of southern ASEAN, as the monsoon rain band lies close to the equatorial region. The inter-monsoon conditions are expected to last for around one month, before transitioning to the Northeast Monsoon. During the Northeast Monsoon, the northern ASEAN region enters its traditional dry season, while the southern ASEAN region can expect more rainy weather.
For the November 2020 to January 2021 period, above-average rainfall is predicted for the ASEAN region south of the equator, as well as the Philippines and parts of Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and Cambodia. La Niña conditions are present over the tropical Pacific Ocean, with most climate models predicting La Niña conditions to persist for this period, of which will typically result in wetter-than-average conditions over the Southeast Asia region. In turn, the region should expect a potential increase in hydro-meteo-climatological hazards (floods, flash-floods, rain-induced landslides).
While warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to continue over much of the Maritime Continent for the next three months, parts of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam may experience below to near-normal temperatures.
With wetter conditions expected in November, the hotspot activities in the southern ASEAN region are forecast to remain subdued, although isolated hotpots and localised smoke plumes may still be detected during brief periods of drier weather. A gradual increase in hotspot activities may be expected over the northern ASEAN region from December 2020, as this is the period when the region enters its traditional dry season with the onset of Northeast Monsoon.
Data Sources: ASEAN Disaster Information Network, ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre
Written by : Keith Paolo Landicho, Lawrence Anthony Dimailig
DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer: AHA Centre’s estimation is based on data and information shared by National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs) and other relevant agencies from ASEAN Member States, international organisations and news agencies. Further information on each recorded-significant disaster, description and detail of data and information are available at: http://adinet.ahacentre.org/reports.
- Published in Monthly Disaster Outlook
Vol 66 – TROPICAL STORMS LINFA AND NANGKA: THE AHA CENTRE’S FIRST DISASTER RESPONSE AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
TROPICAL STORMS LINFA AND NANGKA:
THE AHA CENTRE’S FIRST DISASTER RESPONSE AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
Significant weather activity during the middle of October, 2020, saw the AHA Centre mobilised ASEAN relief items in response to Tropical Storms LINFA and NANGKA that struck Viet Nam. Supported through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the relief items were airlifted from the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) regional stockpile in Subang, Malaysia, with the assistance of the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD). The items included 1,300 kitchen sets and 1,000 shelter repair kits, and reached Da Nang International Airport, Viet Nam in the evening of the 20th of October.
Ms Adelina Kamal, the Executive Director of the AHA Centre, stated that the AHA Centre worked closely with the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – Viet Nam Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, to monitor the impact of Tropical Storms LINFA and NANGKA. “We also intensified our disaster monitoring efforts from early October, after identifying the formation of the tropical storms,” Ms Kamal explained.
According to Ms Kamal, the relief items represent the tangible assistance and solidarity of the ASEAN nations, under the spirit of ‘One ASEAN, One Response’. This was also the AHA Centre’s first natural disaster response amidst the COVID-19 pandemic context, which meant that most preparations, including at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), were conducted remotely.
The disaster response effort within the pandemic context created a range of other new challenges for the AHA Centre team. Engaging partners and all other response stakeholders within a remote environment was a primary focus of the AHA Centre, as it worked out new and innovative ways to ensure its primary role was fulfilled regardless of the limitations caused by the situation. On 15 October, the AHA Centre organised an online Executive Briefing for all ASEAN Member States, diplomatic missions and humanitarian partners, together with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority. This gathering worked to provide situational awareness and a common operating overview of the impacts resulting from Tropical Storms LINFA and NANGKA in the ASEAN region. The briefing was attended by over 40 invitees, including the Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the Deputy Director-General of the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA) Mr. Nguyen Van Tien. Both these key stakeholders also provided strong and clear input during the Executive Briefing.
The widespread floods caused by Tropical Storms LINFA and NANGKA not only affected multiple provinces through central Viet Nam, but also impacted other areas in Cambodia and Lao PDR. More than 800,000 people in Viet Nam were affected by the storms, with more than 66,500 people evacuated. The AHA Centre remained on stand-by to support and coordinate with the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority, as well as continue to monitor the situation in Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries. “We do hope that the relief items will lighten up the spirit of the communities affected by the storms in central Viet Nam,” Ms Kamal added.
Written by : Moch Syifa | Photo Credit : VNDMA for AHA Centre
- Published in Highlight
Vol 65 – KAJSA SJÖSVÄRD
KAJSA SJÖSVÄRD
This month the AHA Centre invited Kajsa Sjösvärd – an international roster member from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and disaster management professional – to provide an insight into her work in disaster management both internationally and within Sweden. Topics ranged from the current pandemic response through to leadership and the sector in general, and we bring to you some of Kajsa’s key experiences and recommendations from the wide-ranging interview.
“My focus is on how to set up a well-functioning staff function, how to optimize it and how to maintain the personnel on a good energy level, despite the stressful environment”
Kajsa has recently been appointed team leader of the MSB’s LACER project being implemented with the AHA Centre, which provides her a new experience of working in the ASEAN region, to go alongside over a decade of experience with MSB and also locally in Sweden. “I am the Director of Crisis Management and Societal Safety at the County Board of Dalarna, in Sweden, and within that capacity I often take on the role of Chief of Staff when a disaster occurs in the County. I have also been a member of MSBs international roster for 10 years and have had several assignments in different capacities and continents.” Recently, Kajsa has also been engaged in Sweden’s pandemic response, as well as leading a response team after the devastating forest fires in Sweden during 2018.
A big part of Kajsa’s role is leadership – which sees her in charge of a range of staff during disaster responses at a local and international level. “My focus is on how to set up a well-functioning staff function, how to optimize it and how to maintain the personnel on a good energy level, despite the stressful environment” Kajsa explains. “I enjoy working with other people in teams and to set up and reach goals. It is challenging to be a part of the development process where an organisation, and foremost the persons within the organisation, are working together to reach new goals and continuously progress. I thrive being a leader in that context, to support and provide energy, but also to guide direction and find creative solutions to problems.” Kajsa also highlights the important aspects of leadership in the disaster field by explaining that “it is important to be communicative, flexible, have a positive mind-set, take the initiative and make decisions when dealing with disasters”.
Kajsa also highlights the importance of positivity and leadership during long and challenging deployments, and also promotes undertaking activities to wind down when possible – with Kajsa’s preferences being running and mountain biking. She also highlights the lessons that the global pandemic has taught us in relation to disaster management, and believes it has strengthened some of the long-held beliefs of global disaster management professionals. “I believe more global cooperation, coordination and learning is needed, not less. No single state can act in isolation concerning these borderless disasters. That is why transboundary cooperation, at different levels, will remain crucial. I think that it poses a challenge, but also a great opportunity for everyone working with disasters.”
“it is important to be communicative, flexible, have a positive mind-set, take the initiative and make decisions when dealing with disasters”.
Written by : Moch Syifa and William Shea | Photo : AHA Centre
- Published in The Other Side
Vol 65 – ACE WEBINAR ON PANDEMICS AND NATURAL DISASTERS: RETHINKING HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS
ACE WEBINAR ON PANDEMICS AND NATURAL DISASTERS:
RETHINKING HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS
While the global pandemic has interrupted capacity building efforts such as the AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme, the Centre continues to provide education for ACE Programme graduates. The AHA Centre recently implemented a webinar series to support its objectives of capacity-building, networking, and utilising leadership competencies to improve national and regional coordination response mechanisms and disaster management more broadly. The webinars will run from September to November 2020, and are primarily intended to expose the ACE Programme graduates to the latest trends and challenges in disaster management.
The first webinar was conducted on 16 September 2020, in which experts and practitioners from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), the World Food Programme (WFP) and HELP Logistics shared their humanitarian logistics experiences managing humanitarian relief operations amidst COVID-19.
This pandemic has disrupted humanitarian relief operations in many ways. Restrictions limit the deployment of items and staff to the field, while global shortages of specific items (such as personal protective equipment – PPE) also hampered the supply chain at the beginning of the pandemic. Alongside this, the speed of deployment has been affected due to border closures and also shortage of commercial flights. Delays on getting tax exemptions remain a challenge as many officials work from home, reducing human resource capacity to process documentation, while some stakeholders maintain their usual ways of working in contrast with the general crisis business approaches.
All webinar speakers agreed that this pandemic has forced humanitarian actors to be agile in terms of planning and operations. This can begin with creating closer supply chain hubs, outsourcing to the private sector, and integrating efforts and coordination with manufacturers/suppliers on medical PPE. The speakers also pointed out the importance of logistic sustainability and responsiveness, by enhancing local logistic capacity and prepositioning of commodities which are contextualised according to the population density. The use of non-in-kind assistance, for example cash, is also an option to ensure effective humanitarian assistance. Speakers and participants agreed that export-import restriction and country isolation are the most serious challenges for disaster impact that need to be addressed. In this sense, collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders is required to improve the logistic supply chain and reduce the supply competition.
The first two-hour webinar was attended by 150 participants from various sectors – with 77% of the participants having a background in disaster management and 87% having some job responsibility related to humanitarian logistic. ACE Programme graduate Ms Murni Mat Amin from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) Malaysia summed up the discussion as a key step to “think strategically and act collaboratively”. The bonding between ACE Programme graduates through engagement such as this form a further opportunity to ensure an efficient flow of humanitarian logistic across the region.
Written by : Gaynor Tanyang/ Ferosa Arsadita | Photo : AHA Centre
- Published in AHA Centre Diary 1
Vol 65 – GIZ SUPPORTING THE AHA CENTRE’S INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
GIZ
SUPPORTING THE AHA CENTRE’S INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
The Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany supports the process of regional integration in the ASEAN region with capacity development aiming at strengthening the AHA Centre. It has entrusted Germany’s GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Gmb) with the implementation of its most recent project in cooperation with the AHA Centre, aimed to strengthen the capacities and work processes of the AHA Centre’s corporate units by supporting institutional and capacity development efforts.
The German Federal Government had previously developed the Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM), under the responsibility of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), as a network that brought together German and international disaster stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia and civil society. Its objective was to develop customised solutions to specific challenges in disaster risk management and to meet global demand by devising high-quality, innovative and sustainable approaches, with several of ASEAN Member States engaged in the pilot project.
More recently, Germany has developed a new programme with the AHA Centre focused on Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development (Capacities4AHAC), that is a stand-alone measure implemented through the agreement between the ASEAN and the Federal Republic of Germany. This regional project works alongside the AHA Centre and selected national civil protection authorities and civil society organisations, and aims to support ASEAN Member State integration and cooperation, contributing to stability, peace and security in the ASEAN region.
To become the leading organisation for ASEAN’s disaster management – including leading capacity building and becoming a knowledge and information centre – the AHA Centre needs to be equipped with strong institutional capacities and corporate units. Therefore, the project will support the AHA Centre to strengthen the capacities and work processes of the corporate units of the AHA-Centre.
The project approach incorporates various elements of capacity development, with a focus on personnel development of specialists and executives, long-term and short-term expert assignments, study tours, eLearning, and expert dialogues. Capacity development needs and instruments are identified and applied in close cooperation with the AHA Centre in order to achieve the best possible results and impacts. Through the cooperation with other relevant projects commissioned by the German Foreign Office, this project ensures synergy and a strengthening of the German contribution and its visibility in the ASEAN region.
The project implementation will be carried out in close cooperation and coordination with the AHA Centre in Jakarta, other dialogue and development partners working in ASEAN, as well as with the German Embassy in Jakarta and Foreign Office in Berlin. It will run throughout 2020 and 2021, and delivered under a budget of € 800,000 managed by GIZ.
Written by : Ina Rachmawati | Photo : Private collection
- Published in Partnership
Vol 65 – DISASTERS DURING A PANDEMIC: ARE COUNTRIES MORE WILLING TO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL AID?
DISASTERS DURING A PANDEMIC:
ARE COUNTRIES MORE WILLING TO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL AID?
This month’s Insight article comes from the AHA Centre’s own Deputy Executive Director, Arnel Capili.
What if another major earthquake triggers a tsunami somewhere along the vast coastline of Indonesia? Or a super typhoon devastates one of the many islands of the Philippines? Would these countries, or other vulnerable nations in Southeast Asia, be more willing to accept international assistance in light of the pandemic?
Before the current pandemic, we saw a shift in some of the region’s countries’ policy to implement nationally-led disaster responses – with any support from the international community based on specific priorities. This was true during the Central Sulawesi earthquake in 2018, where the Government of Indonesia clearly manifested that the response was local, and that any offers of international assistance should be in-line with identified gaps, and channeled through local partners (such as the local Red Cross, local NGOs, and local government).
This tendency of governments to temper overwhelming “love and support” can be traced back from their experience of having a secondary disaster — a ‘tsunami’ of unsolicited assistance after the 2004 Banda Aceh tsunami, and super typhoon “Haiyan” (2013). The assumption is that the donations and support teams posed increased challenges for the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines, so much so that it eclipsed the well-intentioned purpose.
So then, are countries in the region more willing to accept offers of international assistance during a disaster in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic? Let us examine possible scenarios to provide some insights, and initiate conversations about how to plan responses to natural disasters in light of the pandemic.
In the short term, countries in the region will probably remain steadfast with their preference for a more nationally-led response. Understanding that most countries in the region have very strict restrictions on movement – particularly from ‘foreigners’ who are potential carriers of the virus – cash or remote technical support will be preferred. Durable goods may be accepted on the basis of diplomatic relations. For political considerations, offers from ‘friendly’ countries may be accepted to maintain good relationships, as well as in the interest of reciprocity. Regional organisations such as ASEAN may be accorded more space to reduce international humanitarian footprint.
In the longer-term, and if the threat of the pandemic persists, there is a potential for countries in the region to reconsider this position. The policy shift will stem from the fact that government resources – including its frontline services – may be exhausted. With an economic downturn and the mounting pressure to support communities, governments may be more flexible to accept international assistance. Although still considered to be a national response, governments may extend greater flexibility allowing exemptions and greater access to the international humanitarian community.
Regardless, national authorities will carefully weigh-in on issues related to national capacity and domestic politics. For a country reeling from the effects of COVID-19, food and durable goods such as mobile storage units, health and hygiene kits, and the required logistics to move them will be prioritised. Planning and anticipation are key for issues surrounding entry and quarantine requirements, certifications of compliance to national standards for medical teams and their equipment, and special handling requirements for relief items (disinfecting at port of entry for example).
One thing is undeniable – disasters during this pandemic will redefine how we do things. It will challenge how we think about humanitarian action, not just during the pandemic, but also how this model of response can be adapted post-pandemic. The difficulties faced during the pandemic have shown us that there are other ways to provide support aside from being on the ground, and that being first to assist is not necessarily a priority. Rather, it is more a profound need for greater thinking of how the international humanitarian community could enhance and add greater value to a nationally-led response.
Written by : Arnel Capili | Photo: AHA Centre
- Published in Insight
Vol 65 – MONTHLY DISASTER REVIEW AND OUTLOOK
MONTHLY DISASTER REVIEW AND OUTLOOK
SEPTEMBER 2020 | DISASTER MONITORING & ANALYSIS
(DMA) UNIT, AHA CENTRE
GENERAL REVIEW OF SEPTEMBER 2020
A total of 45 disaster events were recorded for the month of September 2020, which 1 1/2 times higher than August 2020, and is almost four times the five-year average for September. Despite this increase, there were a range of lower numbers compared to five-year averages, including significantly less people affected, internally displaced, casualties and injuries. There were more houses damaged, however, than the average. These significant differences can be attributed to severe disaster events taking place in September 2018, including the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi, an earthquake in the Philippines, and Typhoon Mangkhut which affected the northern part of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Viet Nam. In total, said events affected about 10 million people in 2018. Additionally, 2017 saw massive droughts in Indonesia, which affected around 4 million people, and also contributes to the high five-year average figures for the month of September.
A total of 27 significant earthquakes (M≥5.0) were reported in the region for September 2020, and also ongoing volcanic activity reported for the Indonesian mountains of Anak Krakatau, Ibu, Semeru, and Dukono. While the events did not result in significant damage, they do serve as a timely reminder of the importance of geophysical hazard preparedness, particularly in tectonically active countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.
SEASONAL OUTLOOK
Southwest monsoon conditions are expected to persist throughout October 2020, before gradually transitioning into the inter-monsoon period in the latter part of the month. Inter-monsoon conditions are characterised by light and variable winds, with rainy conditions expected over most of the ASEAN region. The inter-monsoon period typically lasts for about a month before the onset of Northeast Monsoon conditions, when the northern ASEAN region enters its traditional dry season, while the southern ASEAN region experiences increased rainfall.
For the October to December period, models predict above-normal rainfall over much of the Maritime Continent (south of the equator and the Philippines) and coastal regions of Viet Nam. La Niña conditions have developed over the tropical Pacific Ocean, and most climate models predict La Niña will bring wetter-than-normal conditions over the Southeast Asia region. These are expected to persist for October through to December 2020, which may cause more torrential rains and resulting flooding across many areas.
While warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected to continue over much of the Maritime Continent for the next three months, parts of Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand may experience below to near-normal temperatures.
For October and November, hotspot activities in the ASEAN region are expected to remain generally subdued due to rainy weather, although isolated hotspots may be detected in some areas during brief periods of drier weather. In December 2020, a gradual increase in hotspot activities may be expected in the northern ASEAN region as it enters its traditional dry season with the onset of Northeast Monsoon.
Data Sources: ASEAN Disaster Information Network, ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre
Written by : Keith Paolo Landicho, Lawrence Anthony Dimailig, Aril Aditian
DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer: AHA Centre’s estimation is based on data and information shared by National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs) and other relevant agencies from ASEAN Member States, international organisations and news agencies. Further information on each recorded-significant disaster, description and detail of data and information are available at: http://adinet.ahacentre.org/reports.
- Published in Monthly Disaster Outlook
Vol 65 – ASEAN LAUNCHES PROJECT ON STANDARDISATION AND CERTIFICATION FOR EXPERTS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE:
ASEAN LAUNCHES PROJECT ON STANDARDISATION AND CERTIFICATION FOR EXPERTS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
The ASEAN Standards and Certification for Experts in Disaster Management (ASCEND) Project was developed from the challenge faced by National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs) of ASEAN Member States and the AHA Centre when responding on the ground to a large-scale disaster. In these circumstances, humanitarian actors engage from many different organisations, institutions, private companies, as well as individuals, to provide various kinds of support to those affected. While these stakeholders often hold the capacity to respond, there remained a challenge in identifying and validating their specific skills for coordination purposes.
On the 22nd September 2020, the ASCEND Project was officially launched through a joint launching ceremony, opened by the Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN H.E. Lim Sungnam, and the AHA Centre’s Executive Director, Ms Adelina Kamal. Many ASEAN disaster management community stakeholders attended the ASCEND launching event, as well as representatives from AHA Centre donors and partners.
The ASCEND programme was developed to validate, and thus provide recognition, to specific skills and competencies held by individuals working in the disaster management sector. This certification will help the AHA Centre and ASEAN Member States to determine the skills and expertise available for both deploying or receiving support teams at times of disaster. Alongside this, competency standards can also serve as a credible reference to guide disaster management institutions and organisations when they are developing their own specific training programmes. For individuals, this certification will support their continuous learning and career progression within the disaster management sector.
From 2016-2019, led by the National Disaster Management Agency of Indonesia (BNPB) through its Competency Certification Office (LSP-PB), the first phase of the ASCEND Project developed a foundation for future efforts through the endorsement of the ASCEND Framework by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management. As well as the ASCEND Framework’s endorsement, the standard competencies for the first five disaster management professions were identified and provided. These professions are: Rapid Assessment; Humanitarian Logistics; Shelter Management; Emergency Operations Centre, and; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
After the completion of ASCEND phase one in early 2020, the AHA Centre received confirmation of generous support from the Republic of Korea through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF). This support will allow for the ASCEND development to continue for the next three years. In implementing the ASCEND project, the AHA Centre will also collaborate with the Korean National Fire Agency (KNFA), where both parties will benefit through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and activities including conducting a joint event.
The three years of ASCEND Project phase two implementation is aimed towards institutional and technical preparation. For institutions, the project will prepare relevant institutions that will implement the ASCEND certification process, including a Competency Body, Certifying Body and Assessment Providers. For the technical side, the project will prepare technical tools such as an ASCEND toolbox, training and certification management systems necessary to guide and document the certification process. Following the institutional and technical preparation, the project will conduct a certification assessment pilot for the first five professions, while continuing to promote and increase awareness of ASCEND throughout ASEAN target groups. This pilot activity will provide feedback for learning and iterative improvements before the ASCEND Programme is scaled-up.
This forms an exciting journey for the AHA Centre and the ASEAN Member States to ensure this initiative further contributes to the realisation of ASEAN’s goal to become a global leader in disaster management by 2025, as articulated in the ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management. The AHA Centre, through the ASCEND Project, looks forward to working closely with the Republic of Korea, NDMOs, the ASEAN community, and AHA Centre partners, in enhancing regional resilience with more competent disaster management experts available in the region.
Written by : Andrew Mandranugraha / Ririn Dwi Haryani | Photo Credit : AHA Centre
- Published in Highlight