Pasay city: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has strategically pre-positioned disaster relief supplies in four member states, including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to expedite assistance during emergencies and natural disasters.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press briefing at the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Disaster Resilience (AMCDR) held in Pasay City, Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Harold Cabreros announced that the regional relief supplies have been strategically placed through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). This initiative aims to swiftly bring emergency resources closer to affected communities, allowing member states to respond more rapidly to disasters.
Cabreros emphasized, "We are establishing our regional warehouses through the AHA Centre. They have already established warehouses here in the Philippines, in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia." He described the AHA Centre, headquartered in Indonesia, as "the nerve center of ASEAN disaster management."
The establishment of these four regional warehouses is intended to enhance the mobilization of relief resources by ASEAN member states, while also complementing their national disaster response efforts. This arrangement aligns with ASEAN's "One ASEAN, One Response" approach, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination and the movement of resources and assistance across borders when any member state is affected by a significant disaster.
In addition to pre-positioning supplies, ASEAN member states are also enhancing their disaster management capabilities through training, knowledge-sharing, and experience exchanges. Cabreros highlighted that these efforts translate ASEAN solidarity into practical action, focusing on strengthening cooperation, anticipating risks, and improving early warning systems, enabling authorities to act proactively before disasters occur.
The AHA Centre was established under the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) to facilitate cooperation and coordination among member states in disaster management and emergency response. It collaborates with national disaster management organizations and regional partners to support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery across the region.
