GIDRM
GLOBAL INITIATIVE ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT
Disaster Risk Management (DRM) forms a key element of all international development agendas and its implementation is an important element for all nations. Such importance and presence, however, has been found to lead to a range of cost burdens, overlapping programmes, and working duplications as varying government and non-government agencies undertake their DRM activities. The German-funded Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM) project aims to overcome these obstacles, and create efficiency and coherence within national and international DRM efforts.
Based on the realisation of such agendas as the Sendai-Framework, Paris Climate Agreement and Agenda 2030, GIDRM works to link a range of DRM elements of such agendas through planning, implementation and reporting of DRM requirements. Funded through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the GIDRM has engaged with the AHA Centre and a number of ASEAN nations during the second phase of the project, specifically working with the Philippines who have been designated as one of GIDRM’s two key pilot countries (the second being Mexico). Rather than a top-down approach, GIDRM works to support efforts from the bottom-up. Examples of successful coherence and efficiency from national and sub-national levels aim to be highlighted at regional and global level, to promote learning and good practices, and form recommendations for expanded activity implementation.
The partnership between GIDRM and the AHA Centre began in 2016, and has resulted in a range of workshops and training exercises, implemented both specifically for the AHA Centre and also engaging a wider range of regional disaster management stakeholders. In 2018, the AHA Centre and GIDRM undertook an earthquake disaster response simulation, allowing the AHA Centre staff to practice their internal preparedness and response mechanisms, which were reviewed and evaluated after the scenario took place. GIDRM also previously supported implementation of the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX) 2016 in Brunei Darussalam, and worked with the AHA Centre and ASEAN Member States to review ARDEX processes, as well as wider mechanisms including the Standard Operating Procedure for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP).
Written by : William Shea | Photo : AHA Centre
ASEAN-ERAT
IN-COUNTRY NETWORK, LAO PDR
Two years ago during May 2017, the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) Advisory Group Meeting agreed on the concept of an ASEAN-ERAT In-Country Network. The main objectives of the ASEAN-ERAT In-Country Network include:
1. Maintaining communication among ASEAN-ERAT members in their respective countries, as well as enhancing coordination among ASEAN-ERAT members, National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs), and the AHA Centre
2. Facilitating information and knowledge sharing, as well as promoting dialogue for improving the ASEAN-ERAT system
3. Leveraging the adopted ASEAN-ERAT system to be recognised by the national stakeholders
4. Further enhancing rapid deployment of ASEAN-ERAT members in times of emergencies
Following 2018’s establishment of the ASEAN-ERAT In-Country Network in Myanmar and Philippines, the AHA Centre facilitated the establishment of the 3rd network in Vientiane, Lao PDR, during early 2019. Thus, adding another milestone towards reaching the goal of setting-up similar networks in 6 ASEAN Member States by the end of 2019, as part of the ASEAN-ERAT Transformation Plan. This historic milestone for ASEAN-ERAT took place back-to-back with a ‘Familiarisation of ASEAN Disaster Management’ workshop, which was held on the 12-13 February 2019. The objective of the workshop was to provide an overview of disaster management mechanisms in ASEAN to ministries and other stakeholders, as well as to provide insight into areas of cooperation to enhance disaster management in Lao PDR and the ASEAN region.
The workshop was organised by the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao PDR, supported by the AHA Centre, and attended by participants from relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism. A number of partners were also present during the meeting, such as Lao Red Cross, Bank of Lao PDR, and ASEAN-ERAT members who are based in Lao PDR.
Written by : Melya Wardhani | Photo : AHA Centre
HEAT TRAINING
Humanitarian workers in emergency response not only face ongoing dangers due to natural hazards, but also can be vulnerable to lawlessness, political instability and armed conflict in areas with access and infrastructure difficulties. Issues such as harassment, interactions with aggressive armed combatants, day light robbery and traffic accidents are all realistic risks, requiring humanitarian responders to be prepared on how to deal with such challenges should they arise. To increase preparedness for the occurrence of potential conflict situations in the future, members of the AHA Centre team departed to Australia to undertake RedR Australia’s 5-day Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) course from the 4th to the 7th of February, 2019, in Dookie, Victoria.
The HEAT course includes integrated Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) training which combines theory and practical-based emergency medical training. Such TECC skills include commercial and improvised tourniquets and haemorrhage control, airway management of an unconscious casualty and an array of improvised techniques teaching participants how to save and preserve life with limited resources. This was highlighted as a key element of the course relevant to the AHA Centre, with participants also valuing other elements such as ‘movement under fire’, that would be of benefit should responders find themselves in such situations.
Engaging in risk preparedness trainings such as HEAT supports the capacity of AHA Centre staff to be ready for any situation, regardless of the context and expectations. Participants noted the real-life’ feel of numerous simulations, explaining that they reflect potential occurrences that may take place during response. The use of practical training with dummies during TECC, and direct engagement scenarios such as kidnapping, ensure the team now hold hands-on practical knowledge of how to react in such undesirable situations. Overall, while such occurrences may be few and far between for the AHA Centre staff, there is now sufficient awareness and skills to counter such risks should they arise during emergency response assignments in all locations.
Written by: Wiliam Shea | Photo : RedR Australia
PREPARING FOR LAUNCH :
THE 3RD MEETING OF THE DELSA PHASE 2 PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE
Singapore was the location for the 3rd Meeting of the Project Steering Committee for the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) Phase II project, which took place on the 19th of February, 2019. With the development of two satellite warehouses for DELSA stockpile currently in final stages of development, this meeting would form the primary driving factor to prepare the warehouses for their launching date.
The meeting – co-chaired by Malaysia and Singapore in their roles as Co-Chairs of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management Working Group on Preparedness and Response – was attended by Project Steering Committee (PSC) members including representatives from the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) management team, the ASEAN Secretariat, and representatives from the AHA Centre as the DELSA implementing agency. Importantly, representatives from the Philippines and Thailand were also in attendance as the host nations for the two DELSA satellite warehouses.
The central theme for the 3rd DELSA PSC Meeting was to update all parties on the five key action points resulting from the PSC’s 2nd meeting held in 2018. Among the key action points were:
• Updates on the renovation progress for both the Philippines and Thailand warehouse.
• Development of a stockpile “baseline” to allow interoperability and transfer of relief items between warehouse locations.
New staff were also introduced during the meeting, with the positions of DELSA Logistics Officer for the AHA Centre and National Logistics Officer for the Philippines recently filled. A comprehensive overview of relief item deployment was also delivered to the meeting by the AHA Centre, with significant numbers of varying relief items utilised during 2018 reflecting the scale of response requirements during 2018, as well as the overall value of the DELSA project for ASEAN communities.
Finally, an extensive session was provided to the current status of the satellite warehouse development in both the Philippines and Thailand, as both locations draw closer to their opening dates. The Philippines reported that all renovations had been completed as of the end of January 2019, and highlighted their gratitude to all parties for ensuring the warehouse reached international standards to serve ASEAN Member States in their time of need. The warehouse in Thailand is also moving through the renovation process and is aiming for launch by June 2019. Plans were also discussed and finalised to procure relief items for each of the warehouses, with procurement finalisation set for the end of May 2019. The launch of these satellite warehouses forms not only a great achievement for all parties involved in the project, but also a significant step forward for the ASEAN region, to increase the speed, scale, and solidarity for One ASEAN One Response.
Written by : Caroline Widagdo, William Shea | Photo : AHA Centre