12 YEARS
OF THE ASEAN-ERAT MISSIONS
Since its first response mission to Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) capacity and skill have been utilised by affected ASEAN Member States to support responses to a range of disasters, including – but not limited to – typhoons, floods and earthquakes as some of the most frequent disaster occurrences in the ASEAN region. Since the initial response in 2008, a total of 144 of the 322 trained ASEAN-ERAT members have been (re)deployed in a total of 28 ASEAN-ERAT missions throughout ASEAN.
2013 and 2018 are the two years with the highest number of disaster events that resulted in the ASEAN-ERAT missions. During 2013, 27 ASEAN-ERAT members responded to 6 disasters, which formed a significant increase in response engagement compared to the initial 2008-2012 period. Five years later in 2018, multiple and simultaneous disasters across the region tested the ASEAN-ERAT capacity to respond quickly and flexibly. In total, 45 ASEAN-ERAT members responded to 5 disasters – that were mostly classified as catastrophic – occurring across Indonesia, Myanmar, Lao PDR and the Philippines.
In 2018, ASEAN-ERAT members with skills in information management were deployed in three disaster responses, this being the first time such skills have been utilised in responses, following the implementation of ASEAN-ERAT Level 2 courses in 2017. Another three ASEAN-ERAT members were deployed to respond to landfill fire in Myanmar during 2018, which formed another first for the regional response. In 2018 the Government of Indonesia also authorised 9 ASEAN-ERAT members to provide support to the nationally-coordinated response led by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) after the Central Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami. This mission saw ASEAN-ERAT members coordinate and facilitate incoming relief assistance from regional and international countries and organisations. The latest ASEAN-ERAT mission was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the Government of Myanmar entrusted 10 ASEAN-ERAT members to conduct a Preliminary Needs Assessment and observations for the repatriation of displaced persons to Rakhine State.
Trust from ASEAN Member States and the significant dedication and solidarity of ASEAN-ERAT members themselves evidences the commitment towards ‘One ASEAN, One Response.’ Across the last 12 years, ASEAN-ERAT members’ capacity to undertake response missions has increased both in numbers and through specialisations. Such improvement is the result of strong collaboration between the ASEAN-ERAT Advisory Group, the ASEAN-ERAT In-Country Teams, the ASEAN-ERAT Operational Support Group, and the AHA Centre, who continue to ensure enhancement of ASEAN-ERAT members’ response capacities through the ASEAN-ERAT courses, regional exercises, and after-action reviews for preparedness activities.
“When we deploy ERAT, we don’t just deploy a person or a group of individuals. We deploy the solidarity of ASEAN. It is about delivering results and adding value framed within ASEAN solidarity. The emotional dimension is reflected in the fact that when we deploy ERAT, we are visiting a family.”
Said Faisal, Former Executive Director of the AHA Centre.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The AHA Centre honours the hard work and dedication of the ASEAN-ERAT members who have served during emergency response and preparedness missions across the ASEAN region since 2008. The AHA Centre would also like to thank the ASEAN-ERAT Advisory Group, ASEAN-ERAT In-Country Teams, and the National Disaster Management Organisations of each of the 10 ASEAN Member States, for their support in enhancing the capacity of ASEAN-ERAT as recognised response specialists in the region.
THE ASEAN-ERAT MEMBERS DEPLOYED IN ASEAN-ERAT MISSIONS THROUGHOUT 2008 – 2019
Adelina Kamal, Adi Bishry, Adiratna Wira Adnan, Agustina Tnunay, Amir Shah Noor Ahmad, Amnat Phonmart, Andreane Tampubolon, Andrew Mardanugraha, Andy Bachtiar Musaffa, Angelito Casinillo, Anne Tan, Arnel Capili, Arshinta, Arun Pinta, Asri Wijayanti, C.H. Kenneth Mak, Chan Nyein Thu, C.P.T Koh Kim Hwee, David Chow Tai Wei, Fazlisyah Muhammad, Gaynor Tanyang, Geok Meng Ng, Grace Endina, Haji Nordin bin Haji Buntan, Irvin Miranda, Janggam Adhityawarma, Jennifer Frances De La Rosa, Jennyline Fan, Jommel Mayor Merano, Lawrence Anthony Dimailig, Leny Jakaria, Luqmanul Hakim, M Fairual Idzuan bin Awang Jahri, M Nazim, Malyn Tumonong, Mark July Yap, Mary Grace Somido, May Francelline Jimenez, Md Syafawie Md Amin, Min Soe Han, Mohammad Zikri, Mohamed Firoz, Mohamed Kadir Maideen, Mohammad Raihan Hafidz Mohd Rafiek, Mohammad Shazwan bin Suhanie, Muhamad Ali bin Hassan, Muhammad Azhar bin Said, Muhammad Fauzie Ismail, Nasrus Syukroni, Neil Angelo Sanchez, Nurul Fatien Rusly, Ow Yong Tuck Wah, Radito Pramono Susilo, Rio Augusta, Rivie Ayudhia Imanuela, Rohaizat Hadli, Romeo Almazan Bituin, Said Faisal, Sawita Lertsupochavanich, Shahrin bin Ahmad, Shintya Kurniawan, Siti Mariam Abu, Tan Teck Ming, Theophilus Yanuarto, Wanri Naibaho, Ye Tu Han, Yeny Susilowati, Yoram Lukas, Yos Malole.
THE ASEAN-ERAT IN-COUNTRY, THE ASEAN-ERAT ADVISORY GROUP, AND THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS OF THE ASEAN MEMBER STATES
Written by : Madiatri Silalahi
MONTHLY DISASTER REVIEW AND OUTLOOK
NOVEMBER 2020 | DISASTER MONITORING & ANALYSIS
(DMA) UNIT, AHA CENTRE
GENERAL REVIEW OF NOVEMBER 2020
While number of recorded disaster occurrences (56) for the month of November 2020 is 37% lower than the previous month (October 2020 – 89 disasters), it is three times higher than the five-year average for November (2015-2019). Figures also show significantly higher numbers for affected people, internally displaced people, damaged houses, deaths, injuries, and missing people. As predicted by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in their previous seasonal outlook, wetter conditions for most of the ASEAN region and La Niña phenomenon (which bring wetter-than-normal conditions likely to persist until January 2021) were realised as forecast. Coincidingly, hydro-meteo-climatological hazards were constant during November 2020, an almost threefold increase in floods, two times more rain-induced landslides, twice as many storms, and more than ten times the amount of high winds reported. Aside from these, many of the higher figures are also attributed largely to the effects of Typhoons GONI and VAMCO across multiple regions of the Philippines, and partially into Central Viet Nam.
For geophysical events, a total of 21 significant earthquakes (M≥5.0) were reported in the region for November 2020 by local authorities. Volcanic activities were reported for Indonesia’s Merapi, Sinabung, and Ili Lewotolok mountains, with all under Alert Level III and being closely monitored. Recent volcanic activity was also reported for Ibu, Semeru, and Dukono mountains in Indonesia, but there were no reports of significant damage. The recent eruption of Mount Ili Lewotolok highlights the importance of early warning systems and early action to reduce humanitarian impacts, even more so in tectonically active countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.
SEASONAL OUTLOOK
Northeast Monsoon conditions were present over much of the ASEAN region by the last week of November 2020. During the Northeast Monsoon, the winds over the ASEAN region are expected to blow mainly from the northeast or northwest. The northern ASEAN region is expected to enter its traditional dry season, while in the southern ASEAN region generally wet conditions can be expected, as the monsoon rain band moves southwards over the equatorial regions.
For the December 2020 to February 2021 period, models predict near-normal to above-normal rainfall over much of the ASEAN region, except for the equatorial region, where near-normal to below-normal rainfall is predicted. La Niña conditions are present over the tropical Pacific Ocean, with climate models predicting moderate to strong La Niña conditions during the period. La Niña conditions are typically associated with wetter-than-normal conditions over the Southeast Asia region, and are expected to weaken during the boreal spring (March – May).
Warmer-than-normal temperature is expected to continue over much of the Maritime Continent for the next three months. Parts of Mainland Southeast Asia may experience below to near-normal temperatures.
With the onset of the Northeast Monsoon, a gradual increase in hotspot activities and associated smoke haze over the northern ASEAN region may be expected from December 2020 under the influence of dry conditions. Hotspot activities in the southern ASEAN region are forecast to remain subdued, mainly due to wet conditions resulting from the monsoon rain band located over the southern ASEAN region.
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.
AHA CENTRE SUPPORTS
AHA CENTRE SUPPORTS TYPHOON-AFFECTED AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINES
During November 2020, within a short span of just a few weeks, communities across the Philippines have experienced extreme weather disturbances, including Tropical Storm SAUDEL, Typhoon MOLAVE, Tropical Storm ATSANI and Tropical Storm ETAU. The two strongest typhoons to strike the nation were Super Typhoon GONI (or locally known as ROLLY), and Typhoon VAMCO (or ULYSSES). In response to the impact of Super Typhoon GONI – that made landfall in the Philippines on 1 November 2020 – as well as the ongoing impacts of the other storms and typhoons, the AHA Centre was engaged to support the Government of the Philippines to respond to the people’s needs in the days and weeks that followed.
The AHA Centre released a large number of relief items stockpiled at the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) Satellite Warehouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the Philippines, to strengthen the government’s ongoing efforts to support typhoon-affected communities. Facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) of the Philippines, the first batch of ASEAN relief items were transported by the Navy on 15 November from the Port of Manila to the Bicol Region – which was the region most affected by Super Typhoon GONI. A second batch of relief items was transported to Marinduque Province on 30 November.
The ASEAN relief items, valued at almost USD900,000, included 2,946 rolls of tarpaulins, 100 shelter repair kits, 1,000 kitchen sets, 5,000 mosquito nets, 5,700 family kits, 5,010 jerry cans, 74 outdoor family tents, and also 1,000 indoor family tents that can be used by affected families inside evacuation centres. This response was the AHA Centre’s biggest response to disaster to date in 2020. It also evidenced the value of the DELSA Satellite Warehouse system – developed in 2019 and co-managed by the AHA Centre and the Philippines OCD – supporting the overall speed and accuracy of disaster response for the ASEAN region.
Ms Adelina Kamal, the Executive Director of the AHA Centre, stated that the mobilisation of ASEAN relief items – supported by Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and Direct Relief – represents the tangible solidarity of ASEAN and the spirit of ‘One ASEAN, One Response’. “The AHA Centre has been monitoring the disaster situation in the Philippines since October 2020 when several weather disturbances were first identified”, Ms Kamal explained, adding that “when we gathered and received information about the potential impacts caused by these extreme weather disturbances, our Emergency Operations Centre was activated, and this included working closely with our counterpart at the OCD of NDRRMC in the Philippines, as well as other ASEAN countries and partners for potential regional support”.
To provide situational awareness and common operating information on the effects of extreme weather disturbances, including Super Typhoon GONI, the AHA Centre also organised an executive briefing on 4 November 2020. The event was attended by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, ASEAN Member State representatives, diplomatic missions, defence attachés, and humanitarian partners from across the region. The Philippines OCD Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad provided a briefing on the latest situation from the affected provinces, as well as an update on impacts that the super typhoon was having on communities and infrastructure.
“The Philippines has been tested by multiple tropical cyclones, floods and other weather disturbances, within a span of only a few weeks. Our hearts and prayers are with the typhoon-affected communities, and we believe that the Filipino spirit is stronger than any typhoon,”
Ms Adelina Kamal, the Executive Director of the AHA Centre.
Written by : Moch Syifa | Photo Credit : AHA Centre and NDRRMC – OCD of the Philippines
SOMBATH DOUANGSAVANH
Mr. Sombath Douangsavanh is the Deputy Director of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division, Social Welfare Department, of the Lao PDR Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Lao PDR’s National Disaster Management Organisation – NDMO). He works primarily as the ASEAN and International Cooperation National Programme Coordinator in the Integrated Programme for Climate Resilience and Empowerment, based in Attapeu province, Lao PDR.
Mr. Sombath took some time out this month to answer questions from the AHA Centre relating to his work, his experience with the AHA Centre programmes, and the overall disaster management context for Lao PDR.
When asked about the challenges he faces in his current position, Mr. Sombath identified the uniqueness of working in the middle-level management. “On the middle management level, most of our work is more on technical-focused, however as the Social Welfare Department acts as the Secretariat of Central Disaster Management Committee, that work is more focused on monitoring disaster management implementation, meaning we have a broad area of skills to encompass” he explained. “Additionally, leading the ASEAN and International Cooperation Emergency Operation Centre, I also have had to increase my knowledge and skills related to such things as situation analysis’, GIS remote sensing, and data management.”
Mr. Sombath also highlighted that he has strengthened many of his skills and experiences through engagement with the AHA Centre over the years. He identifies his participation in the AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme as a key moment in his career. “The ACE Programme provided very comprehensive knowledge and skills from basics of disaster management, understanding the ASEAN context, UN and Red Cross mechanisms and specific skills, and also engaged us in the ASEAN-ERAT and other leadership efforts” he recalled. Mr. Sombath also believes it was these such engagements that have supported his career progression to this point, stating that “by having this kind of support and engagement, I have been promoted to a higher position, and utilise the knowledge gathered from ACE to manage my tasks and my team”. “Also, when a disaster situation arises, my skills can be used to support the emergency response effort”, Mr. Sombath said.
Mr. Sombath values learning and reflection both individually and with his wider team, and believes that networking and partnerships are the most important part of strong disaster management. He also has great hopes for the ASEAN region to continue its progression in all aspects of disaster management, and that the ASEAN mechanisms continue to strengthen and are effectively applied in disaster management across the region and also outside. Mr. Sombath finishes with a reminder to all disaster managers about the importance of complete and all-encompassing disaster management activities, and the importance that such activities are fully supported.
“We never hope disaster happens, however, to be better prepared, ASEAN Member State governments must continue to invest more on all disaster risk reduction efforts – not only response, but preparedness and recovery as well.”
Written by : Moch Syifa | Photo : Mr. Sombath Douangsavanh