As of 29 August 2006
Preliminary Concept of an ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system for Disaster Relief and Emergency Response
Background
1.The increasing numbers of disaster occurrences as well as unprecedented scale of international responses shown in the natural catastrophe indicate that there is indeed a sense ofurgency for a regional arrangement for emergency response. Linking national mechanisms with sub-regional and regional capabilities would constitute concrete building blocks for a global system with a core role of the UN.
2.Therefore, exploring ways and means to develop a regional rapid response mechanism is necessary. In this regard, mobilization of adequate resources for disaster relief operation would be one among solid efforts of such a regional arrangement.
3.ASEAN as the driving force of the ARF has come up with an Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response as the framework for enhancing cooperation in managing disaster in Southeast Asia. One of the concrete measures to be taken under this Agreement is to establish ASEAN standby arrangements as well as standard operating procedures in disaster relief.
4.Furthermore, in the 13 th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministers have adopted the ARF Statement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, in which all ARF participating countries emphasized the importance of developing and strengthening institutions, mechanisms and capacities at the sub-national, national, regional, as well as the international levels to support community capacities to reduce disaster risk.
5.The ARF Statement stipulates that ARF participating countries will endeavour to enhance cooperation that supports and complements existing regional and international disaster management and emergency response mechanism in area of disaster prevention and preparedness, in particular to work towards the development of ARF regional standby arrangements for immediate humanitarian assistance.
6.It is imperative for the ARF to consider further step to be taken as concrete measures. Implementation of various outcomes of the ARF meetings on this issue as well as enhancing coordination and cooperation between civilian and military elements of the ARF participating countries are necessary in preventing and mitigating natural disasters. It is necessary for the ARF to consider the existing regional arrangements as well as other available frameworks as reference in developing guidelines for the forum.
7.ARF can play an important role in supporting as well as complementing the existing regional and international disaster management and emergency response mechanism. ARF guidelines on disaster management and emergency response will serve as the guiding principle for both civilian and military and ensure consistency with existing UN guidelines and ASEAN mechanism on disaster management and emergency response, civil-military cooperation as well as other international capabilities. Complementing the Guidelines, an ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system might be necessary as tangible cooperation. This non-paper is intended to be a base for such deliberation.
Principles
8.The elaboration on the development of an ARF stand-by arrangement and rapid response system is based upon the current necessities to mitigate disasters and minimize its risks. It is clearly with a view to explore ways by which the ARF Statement on DMER can be implemented in practical course.
9.The basic principle of ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system is the articulation of consent and appeal of affected country, which also will act as the coordinator upon deployment. This standby arrangement will be based on a voluntary basis, depending on each country’s ability in supporting this arrangement, with the timeframe of deployment is under the authority of the affected country.
Purposes
10.Taking into account sensitivity that may emerge from this deliberation and the ARF’s principle of moving at a pace comfortable to all, this non-paper identified at least three areas that could be discussed concerning ARF standby arrangement. Those are (i) status, (ii) mandate and function, and (iii) rules of procedure. The followings are what can be discussed of.
Status
11.ARF standby arrangement could be defined as pool of assets and capacities of each ARF participating country, which can be allocated and deployed immediately for disaster relief in times of emergency, and will serve as humanitarian assistance. Assets and capabilities provided for such a force could include emergency response/search and rescue directory, military and civilian assets, emergency stockpiles of disaster relief items; and disaster management expertise and technologies.
12.Considering the importance of civil-military cooperation in disaster relief, ARF standby arrangement will encompass civilian and military elements, including national Search and Rescue (SARS) and other relief agencies of the ARF participating countries.
Mandate and Function
13.ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system are mandated to ensure prompt response in time of emergency. It also to guarantee a smooth and seamless deployment of relief efforts.
14.It will serve as a framework for the ARF participating countries to respond promptly to disaster events. It will be focused in providing immediate emergency response. Coordination among agencies on providing humanitarian assistance could be carried out through a mechanism in which each country assigns its focal point on this issue. It could also promote coordination among donors, relief agencies, and the international community in carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.
Rules of Procedure
15.Establishment of an ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system may include the development of Standard Operating Procedures of non binding nature cooperating with the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. To this end, there is a necessity to enhance network and coordination among involved agencies in disaster relief and emergency response.
Conclusion
16.ARF standby arrangement will be supported by civilian and military personnel from the ARF participating countries. As it is related to national assets of the ARF participating countries, detail of this arrangement and mechanism should be further discussed in various levels of the ARF.