PRESS RELEASES

“Introduction of ASEN Web EOC systems to National Disaster Management Offices”

September 23, 2013

    From 16th to 18th September 2013, a workshop entitled “Introduction of ASEN Web EOC systems to National Disaster Management Offices” was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. This workshop was held under the project on “Establishment of an integrated Information and Communication Technology System to strengthen the operation of ASEAN Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) – Phase2”, which is a part of Japan’s support package to ASEAN in the area of disaster management. This workshop was intended to develop communication capacity and enhance cooperation among AHA centre and National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) in ASEAN Member States (AMS) through the WebEOC software in such areas as information sharing and the offer of assistance. AHA centre and trainees from NDMOs in AMS attended the workshop. From Japan, Professor Haruo HAYASHI, Director of Research Center for Disaster Reduction System of Kyoto University and Mr. Hidero KATAYAMA, Senior Advisor for International Cooperation, International Cooperation Division, Global ICT Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal affairs and Communications, attended as lecturers. Ms. Takako ITO, Minister-counsellor of the Mission of Japan, delivered opening remarks in the opening session, and awarded certificates to the participants.

    It is hoped that the workshop 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 as well as strengthen people-to-people connectivity in disaster management.

【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 such as the United Nations in the field of disaster management.

【Ref.2】Japan’s assistance to ASEAN in the field of disaster management.
Japan highly regards the importance of its 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” (USD1.6million ). “Establishment of an integrated Information and Communication Technology System to strengthen the operation of ASEAN Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) – Phase2”(USD4.9million ). 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. In March 2011, Japan co-hosted the ARF Disaster Relief Exercise (DiREx) with Indonesia under the framework of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).