ASEAN Launches Two Books on Devastation Caused by ‘Yolanda’ in PHL

Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — The 10-member nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has launched two publications documenting the experiences of the Philippines when it was hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November last year.

In a statement issued by ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, he said the two publications – the book on Typhoon Yolanda Y (It Happened), and the ASEAN book Weathering the Perfect Storm – serve as learning platforms for disaster management practitioners and humanitarian community when it comes to disaster management and mitigation.

“These publications underscore the reality that in responding to a large-scale disaster, new modalities of work processes to cope with the situation are required,” he said.

He said the book launch reminds the ASEAN community not only of the devastation and tragic losses caused by Typhoon Haiyan, but also the experiences of the Philippines and the humanitarian community in responding to devastation caused by one of the strongest tropical cyclones to ever hit land.

Minh thanked the Philippine government and other stakeholders in the region for sharing their views and experiences in coming up with the two publications to further improve the ASEAN’s efforts in responding to disasters and building a disaster-resilient and safer community.

In the opening statement of Myanmar President U Thein Sein during the opening ceremony of the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) here, he noted that natural disaster is one of the emerging challenges faced by the ASEAN member states.

He said the ASEAN nations are mapping out measures to promote resilience against these challenges, which also include global economic uncertainty, Ebola virus, and the spread of violence and extremism.

During the book launch, Minh also reaffirmed the ASEAN’s commitment to incorporate disaster risk reduction measures into the daily lives of their respective peoples to prevent and minimize losses of lives and property caused by disasters.

He said Typhoon Haiyan has invigorated existing regional mechanisms embodied in the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER).

As the operational engine of AADMER, the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Center) coordinated the massive support coming from other ASEAN member states, the region’s national disaster management organizations, and other stakeholders.

The role of the ASEAN Secretary-General as the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator was activated to ensure effective delivery of support from the ASEAN, showing ASEAN solidarity amid such large-scale disasters. PND (jb)

Source: PCOO

Image Credit: Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau