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
