CO-CHAIRS’ SUMMARY REPORT

OF THE ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF)

WORKSHOP ON CIVIL MILITARY OPERATIONS

12-13 September 2005

Makati City, Philippines

             1.  As agreed by the Foreign Ministers at the 12^th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ARF Workshop on Civil Military Operations (CMO) was held on 12-13 September 2005 in Makati City and was co-chaired by the Philippines and Australia.  The workshop was attended by  57 delegates from 21 participants of the ARF.

2.                       The objectives of the workshop were to recognize the importance of CMO in meeting regional peace and security challenges, foster harmonious relationship 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 relief operations.

3.                       The workshop consisted of the following parts:  opening ceremony, presentations by pre-selected speakers, syndicate discussion, consideration and adoption of workshop outputs and closing ceremony. In considering the issues, participants recognized current work progress in other areas such as the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the need to avoid duplication and align outcomes.

4.           In the syndicate discussion, the participants were divided into four (4) syndicate groups which analyzed and discussed CMO activities set in a disaster response scenario.

Opening Session

5.           The Philippine co-chair stressed the importance of finding a common understanding of CMO and how it can be tapped to meet regional challenges.  Through this workshop, he expressed the hope that the participants would be able to build on their already strong relationships and encourage regional coordination in disaster response operations.

6.           The Australian co-chair thanked the Philippine government for hosting this important undertaking, noting that it is timely and important regionally.  He said that with this ARF workshop, the participants would be able to collectively work towards a better cooperative response to disasters and humanitarian relief given their shared experiences and best practices.

7.           In his opening remarks, Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines cited the important role played by armed forces in disaster relief operations.

Presentations

8.                       Dr. Anthony Golez, Deputy Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, Philippines, presented a paper highlighting the Armed Forces of the Philippine’s (AFP) role in the Philippine Disaster Management System.  He described the AFP as a vital partner in the implementation of disaster management programs and activities, particularly in response as one of the first responder groups to any disaster or calamity.  The AFP assists Disaster Coordinating Councils during emergencies in rescue and engineering, evacuation, relief services, rehabilitation and transportation services. 

             9.          Major Murray Heron of the Australian Peacekeeping Centre gave a briefing on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Civil Military Interaction in Disaster Relief Operations.  Within the ADF, civil military cooperation is predominantly a tactical task undertaken by military agencies in order to achieve the commander’s goals.  The coordination of disaster relief interaction would ostensibly lie with the civilian agencies as the first responders, with the ADF being asked to assist if required.  In emergency situations, the ADF is often called upon to provide security, transport, engineering, communications, and medical services.  In response to a question from a participant, MAJ Heron stated that in most instances military forces should be a last resort for providing relief in humanitarian emergencies.  However, due to the military’s rapid deployment capabilities and logistical assets, it was often the best placed responder to disasters.  Maj Heron cautioned that over-reliance on the military, or their imprudent use may severely damage the humanitarian system, and place humanitarian activities and workers at risk.  In all international humanitarian emergencies, civilian and military actors need to coordinate activities that will impact the delivery of assistance to affected communities.

            10.        In his presentation on Indonesia’s  perspectives on the Aceh tsunami disaster relief, BGen Heryadi emphasized the significant role played by the regional armed forces, international agencies and local and international non-government organizations (NGOs) in humanitarian assistance operations.  He said that the success of such humanitarian assistance operation would largely depend on how the host country would be able to properly coordinate and cooperate with all international military contingents, international organizations and NGOs in order to optimize the desired results.  He further stressed the need to come up with timely and accurate information/data so that the disaster response agencies would be able to properly respond and cope with different disaster scenarios. 

             11.        Mr. Felipe Donoso, Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) focused on the ICRC’s mandate and its relationship with the military.  In discussing ICRC’s operational relations with the military, he stressed that access to victims would be impossible without the assistance of the military.  It is also through coordination with the military that security is guaranteed and services are delivered to the victims of conflicts or disasters.  He also highlighted the importance of transparency, predictability and dialogue and information sharing at all levels. 

12.         Director Renato Solidum, Jr of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Department of Science and Technology highlighted the Philippine experience on earthquakes.  The Philippines, he said, is prone to various hazards such as typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis because of its geographic and geologic setting.  For the past 400 years, the Philippines has had 90 destructive earthquakes, the strongest of which occurred in 1976 in Moro Gulf registering a 7.9 magnitude in Richter Scale.  This resulted in the death of 3,739 and wounding of 8,000.  Director Solidum stressed the need for everyone to be prepared at all times as the occurrence of earthquakes cannot be controlled, however the effects could be managed. 

Consideration and Adoption of Workshop Outputs

             Identification and Management of CMO Challenges in Disaster Relief

13.         The participants recognized the need for a rapid technical and scientific assessment to examine the coverage and extent of damages and prioritize efforts in disaster relief.

14.         Other CMO challenges in disaster relief were identified such as the need for a common understanding of CMO, formalization of CMO procedures, appropriate dissemination of information and disaster management plans at all levels, availability of funds for immediate deployment, and appropriateness and practicality of assistance and donations.

Identification of Capacities and Capabilities for Regional CMO Cooperation

15.         The delegates discussed the types of CMO assistance that the ARF participants may provide in disaster situations.  This assistance may be in the form of search and rescue, engineering, emergency communication and transportation, health, public information, security and public safety, utilities/electricity, basic services and sanitation.

16.         They agreed that it was critical for the region to develop capabilities that enable the immediate provision of personnel and logistics.  Other issues such as compatibility of equipment and appropriate allocation of resources to areas requiring assistance were identified as important areas to be addressed.

Potential Areas for Regional Cooperation

17.         The participants identified possible areas for regional cooperation. They recommended the following:

             Recommendation 1:

Create and maintain updated, shared database of assets and capabilities of ARF participants available and ready for deployment for international humanitarian aid

§    Set up a permanent ARF facility dedicated to developing the following:

•         Summarized Matrix of Past and Current Efforts

            - Database of Experts and Capabilities (eg, Australian list)

            - Updating, monitoring and follow through of agreements 

              reached and proposals made

•         Comprehensive documentation of specific disasters  

including photographs and other relevant information

             - Gather best practices for reference and use of parties

             - Share national disaster plans

•         Institute a Community of Practice (CoP) and Knowledge Management System (KMS)

Recommendation 2:

•         Incorporate international assistance into National Disaster Response Plans including military especially in disaster prone region i.e. designation of national focal points of international aid and identification of entry points.

Recommendations on Information Management

Recommendation 3:

•         Standardize operating principles/procedures for use of both civilian and military disaster relief workers and materials within ARF participants i.e. visa, diplomatic clearance, landing permits

Recommendation 4:

•         Recognize the importance of the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre, the ASEAN Disaster Information Sharing and Communication Network, and regional instrument on disaster management and emergency response and recommend strengthening their potential in capacity building and coordinating regional disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts that affect ASEAN and its ARF partners.  For example in the coordination and allocation of relief resources and efforts

Recommendation 5:

•         Establish ARF regional standby arrangements and strengthen current arrangements for disaster relief and emergency response

- Establishing procedures

- Use of website

- Earmarking of military and civil assets and resources

             Recommendation 6:

•         ARF participants could establish a registration procedure for incoming NGOs to minimize confusion, duplication, etc.

•         ARF participants should develop a list of NGOs, their capabilities, including funding arrangements, sustainability. Each country should gather relevant NGO information and maintain it within its emergency management agency

           Recommendation 7:

•         Interpret UN guidelines at a regional level for compatibility with ARF participants’ specific disaster needs and contributing nations’ response

-          UN Oslo Guidelines for the use of military and civil defense assets in natural disaster response

-          United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)

Recommendations on Capacity Building

Recommendation 8:

•         Institutionalize education, training and combined and joint exercises in CMO and in disaster relief operations, i.e. planning exercises, command exercises

•         ARF participants should consider conducting a desktop disaster relief exercise, and possibly a field exercise in due course

Recommendation 9:

•         Establish exchange/attachment program between ARF participants emergency management agencies, to exchange views, establish relationships and understanding of respective countries’ procedures

Recommendations on Cooperation Agreements

Recommendation 10:

•         Consider the contribution to a common fund for regional disaster relief. i.e. for early warning system

Recommendation 11:

•         Establish legal arrangements (MOUs and SOFAs) to facilitate international assistance

               - Bilateral and/or multilateral

Recommendation 12:

•         That the ARF Intersessional Meeting (ISM) on Disaster Relief invites volunteer countries to coordinate the implementation of these recommendations.