September 2005,
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop

In the wake of the 2004 tsunami, planning responses to similar forms of sudden onset natural calamities have captured the attention of disaster response planners and agencies the world over. The heightened focus has been no more evident than in the Asia Pacific Region, especially in the so-called Ring of Fire countries. One of the region’s more seismically active countries, the Republic of the Philippines, recently hosted the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop in Makati City on 12 and 13 September 2005, with the theme of “Civil Military Operations in Disaster Response: A Tool in Fostering Regional Cooperation to Achieve Peace and Security.”

Co-hosted by Australia, the ARF workshop was attended by 57 delegates from 21 countries. The specific objectives of the workshop were to: recognize the importance of Civil-Military Operations (CMO) in meeting regional peace and security challenges; foster harmonious relationships among the participants of the ARF through practical-level confidence-building activities; and identify possible areas of cooperation in developing CMO as an effective tool in disaster response operations. Several central presentations framed the agenda for syndicate workshops, aimed at providing a platform for countries in the region to promote disaster awareness for the protection of life, property, and the environment as well as the exchange between and among Asian countries of experiences and lessons learned
in disasters.

During discussions, the significant experience and expertise of the many countries represented was clearly evident, both in dealing with effects of natural disasters domestically and internationally. While challenges remain, the opportunities that can be achieved to help save lives through the synergistic efforts of military forces, civilian and non-government agencies working together should not be underestimated.

The example of the 2004 tsunami response showcased how defence forces from many countries worked together with government and
non-government aid agencies to save lives and ease human suffering. This tragedy highlighted the significant short-notice response capabilities within the Region and the political will of governments to provide assistance in times of crisis. However successful these reactive strategies of ‘response’ and ‘recovery’ may be, they need to be reinforced through proactive strategies of ‘prevention’ and ‘preparedness’. The ARF Workshop effectively built on this approach through confidence-building, knowledge-sharing and reinforcing existing relationships.

Delegates agreed by consensus several recommendations on how CMO can play a role in regional cooperation and confidence building that were endorsed for further consideration and development through the appropriate ASEAN processes. By any measure and in every perspective, the ARF Workshop was very successful, clearly achieving all set objectives.