STRENGTHENING ASEAN’S DISASTER RESPONSE THROUGH DELSA PHASE IV
Launched in December 2012, the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) project facilitates swift provision of relief items to affected ASEAN Member States (AMS). Supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the project has played a critical role in ASEAN responses over the years as a beacon of ASEAN solidarity, enabling ASEAN to provide needs-based assistance in a timely manner through prepositioned stockpiles located in the DELSA warehouses. The project’s importance was particularly felt during DELSA Phase III, where it supported multiple emergency responses in ASEAN, including Tropical Cyclone NORU in Lao PDR and Thailand, and Tropical Cyclone NALGAE in the Philippines in 2022.
In March 2023, the Phase III the ASEAN Disaster Emergency Logistics System (DELSA) was officially concluded. The project’s focus is now moving toward enhancing the sustainability of the DELSA warehouses in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and further integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to bolster regional emergency supply chain management.
OBJECTIVE:
Further enhance the supply chain management for emergency response of ASEAN to ensure timely response to disasters through:
• Prepositioning of stockpiles in 3 DELSA warehouses
• Innovation
• Utilisation of technology
• Capacity development
INDICATORS:
• The Emergency Telecommunication Network (ETN) is established;
• The ASEAN Logistics Roadmap updated for 2025;
• Procurement of stockpiles for the DELSA warehouses in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand;
• Capacity development / trainings for the Logistics Officers of the NDMOs of 10 ASEAN Member States
The DELSA Phase IV project is aligned with the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management (AADMER) Work Programme (AWP) 2021-2025 Priority Programme 3 on Preparedness and Response. More specifically, it aligns with Sub-Priority 3.2., which seeks to strengthen capacity building for effective regional response, contributing to the strengthening of regional humanitarian supply chain management, the development of a reliable Emergency Telecommunication Network to support ASEAN response, and the enhancement of assessment capabilities for a robust information management system and interoperable network of ASEAN Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs).
Furthermore, the project will contribute to the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the area of “Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management” under the broad range area of “Economic and Other Possible Areas of Cooperation”, and the principle of “complementarity with existing cooperation frameworks”.
The future of DELSA will continue to blend technology, strategic planning, and continuous capacity building to achieve speed, scae, and solidarity in ASEAN’s collective response to disasters, in line with the spirit of One ASEAN One Response.
Written by: Gladys Respati | Photo by: AHA Centre
