Press Release - Mission of Japan to ASEAN

PRESS RELEASES

The First Steering Committee for the Establishment of an integrated ICT to strengthen the operation of AHA Centre (ICT-Phase II)

16 May, 2013

1.	The Government of Japan renewed its assistance to AHA Center by approving the disbursement of USD4,926,247 from Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund to the project entitled “Establishment of an integrated Information and Communication Technology to strengthen the operation of AHA Centre-Phase II (ICT-Phase II project)”. This 18-month project aims to establish an ICT network between AHA Centre and ASEAN Member States (AMS) as well as among AMS for the smooth and rapid transmission and exchange of disaster-related information by installing necessary ICT equipments in AHA Centre and national disaster management office (NDMO) of respective AMS. Under this project, special software will be developed to facilitate the offer of assistance from AMS upon the request of disaster-affected countries in the region and coordination of such offers by AHA Centre. Training programs will also be provided to the staff of both AHA Centre and NDMOs to manage and operate the ICT system to be developed under the project.
2.	On 17 May, the first steering committee is going to be held at AHA Centre to discuss the practical steps to move forward the project. The steering committee consists of representatives of AHA Centre, disaster management division of ASEAN Secretariat, NDMO of Singapore and Mission of Japan to ASEAN.
3.	It is hoped that the project will enhance disaster response capability of ASEAN and AMS and further develop the function of AHA Centre as a regional hub for disaster management in ASEAN.

【Ref.1】AHA Center (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management) was established in November 2011 by ASEAN for the purpose of facilitating cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States and with relevant international organizations in the field of disaster management.

【Ref.2】Japan’s assistance to ASEAN in the field of disaster management.
Japan emphasizes the assistance to ASEAN in the field of disaster management. Japan has assisted AHA Center for its establishment under the project “Study on the establishment and operationalisation of the AHA Centre” (USD300,000) , for development of its ICT system under the project “Establishment of an integrated Information and Communication Technology to strengthen the operation of AHA Centre-Phase I”. Japan has also helped ASEAN establish “Disaster Emergency Logistic System in ASEAN” (USD12 million) in December last year in which disaster relief items are stockpiled in and transported from the warehouse established in UNHRD depot in Suban, Malaysia.