EXPECTATIONS AND MODALITIES OF THE ARF DISASTER RELIEF COOPERATION

Lt-Colonel Kok Kam Wai

Joint Logistics Department

Singapore Armed Forces

Scope

• Introduction

• Role of Operational Agencies in HADR Operations

• Challenges on the Ground

• Proposed Modalities for Co-operation

• Conclusion

Recent Disasters Occurrence

• Boxing Day Tsunami

at Banda Aceh

• Earthquake in Yogyakarta

Role of Operational Agencies in HADR Operations

• Fast deployment to affected locations.

• Always ready 24/7.

• Experienced and well-trained.

• Able to co-operate with other agencies.

• SAF Deployment– 4 helicopters, Relief and medical supplies

and medical team (Within 48 hours)

– Humanitarian assistance package (Within 72 hours)

– 1,500 personnel deployed (Largest ever SAF relief operation)

• SCDF Deployment– 130 SCDF rescuers sent to striken regions

– Simultaneous deployment of 2 contingents to a single disaster

– Additional SCDF rescuers deployed by the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team

Singapore Role in Boxing Day Tsunami

Challenges on the Ground

• HADR is a complex mission.

• Multiple agencies involved.

• Different management styles.

• Interest of victims at heart.

• Co-ordination and collaboration with host nation.

• Inter-operability with other militaries.

• Close working relationship with Indonesia/ TNI.

““Singapore has helped us a great Singapore has helped us a great deal in this crisis and there was a deal in this crisis and there was a

special synergy between both the TNI special synergy between both the TNI and SAF in the field”and SAF in the field”

MG Bambang Darmono, MG Bambang Darmono, Commander TNI Commander TNI

Special Joint Task ForceSpecial Joint Task Force

““When your people arrived, it lifted When your people arrived, it lifted our spirits. We knew that we were our spirits. We knew that we were

no longer alone”no longer alone”

COL Geerhan Lantara, TNI Commander COL Geerhan Lantara, TNI Commander in Meulabohin Meulaboh

Challenges on the Ground

Proposed Modalities for Co-operation

The ministers would “consider, as appropriate, the development of ARF general guidelines … for the use of both civilian and military personnel within the ARF

participating countries.”

Adopted Statement on “Disaster Management and Emergency Response”.

• Share best practices.

• Establish list of subject matter experts.

• Develop disasters management procedures.

• Identify niche areas in relief, recovery and reconstruction

• Forge practical co-operation through joint training and

exercises.

• Complement relief efforts by UN OCHA and AADMER

Proposed Modalities for Co-operation

Conclusion

• Membership of the ARF provides a useful platform.

• Useful to move beyond dialogues.

• Build up experience and expertise collectively.

• Sharing of best practices.

• Joint training and exercises.

• Confidence and firm foundation of ARF.