Disaster response regional architectures: assessing future possibilities

Abstract

The HADR cooperation landscape in the Indo-Asia-Pacifi c is becoming more complex as the growth of frameworks and mechanisms are oft en developed in isolation from other existing coordination eff orts. Th ese areas of potential duplication can hamper effi cient and eff ective live-saving assistance. Recognizing these challenges, the Daniel K. Inouye Indo-Asia-Pacifi c Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore organized a blended practitioner and academic workshop focused on the future development of disaster response regional architectures. From July 18-20, 2017 DKI APCSS and RSIS convened 43 participants from 14 Indo-Asia-Pacifi c states and Taiwan to assess future possibilities associated with improved disaster response regional architectures. Workshop participants had a mixture of professional backgrounds leading and/or coordinating disaster management sharing eff orts to include international, regional and civil society organizations, defense ministry offi cials, foreign aff airs and national disaster management bodies. Of those who participated in the workshop, 30 percent were women. Non-national participants included representatives from the United Nations Offi ce for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aff airs, the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Disaster Management Center, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA). Th e objectives of the workshop were to (1) increase shared understanding of sub-regional disaster response eff orts and regional dynamics. (2) Identify opportunities for deepened disaster response collaboration centered on a network of disaster management practitioners via RSIS, DKI APCSS alumni and key stakeholders; and (3) publish a policy report highlighting existing regional disaster management architecture and key mechanisms that can be optimized and enhanced for eff ective disaster response collaboration. The workshop agenda addressed the response cooperation landscapes of the Indo-Asia-Pacific at the strategic and sub-regional levels. Case studies presented from each sub-region viewed aid through the lens of receiver and provider nations, to identify best practices and opportunities for intra and inter-regional sharing and considerations. Over the course of the three days, facilitators and practitioners worked collectively to prioritize the top fi ve opportunity areas for improved response coordination and to recommend integration methodologies for institutional changes. Participants then nested the workshop key fi ndings and recommendations within a strategic discussion on policy and conditions needed for adaptable and resilient regional disaster response architectures.