The A SEAN ISSUE 06 | OCTOBER 2020 BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES Building Resilience

ISSN 2721-8058 THE INSIDE VIEW SNAPSHOTS SHIFTING CURRENTS Ready for the Disability Inclusion COVID-19 and the Dry Years and COVID-19 New Poor s of ight R n and n and G ome Wome ender W en hildr are C L elf t ab W en or ial pm oc elo ACW S ev D nd ACWC a SLOM nt e on m ti SOMSWD C p a iv o ic i l d l S ve ra e e E rvi D y c l rt e a e r v u o AMMW R P SOMRDPE SOM-ACCSM d n AMMSWD ALMM a

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ASCC Magazine March 2020 IBC_AR_Edt v3-Chosen.indd 1 4/28/20 6:52 PM s of ight Contents 3 R n and n and G ome Wome ender W en hildr are C L elf t ab W en or ial pm oc elo ACW S ev D nd ACWC a SLOM In this issue nt e on m ti SOMSWD C p a iv o ic i l d l S ve ra e e E rvi D y c l rt e a e r v u o AMMW R P SOMRDPE SOM-ACCSM 26 42 d n AMMSWD ALMM a

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Council ’ e ASEAN is Prepared to Respond u C s l o S m a C S i e A ASEAN Aspires to be the Global Leader 10 Assistant Directors of c C g g f C a S n ACDM ASCC Divisions O n in Disaster Management A o a r s m o t M Snapshots Ferdinal Fernando, i r a n o s r Can ASEAN Respond to a Slow-Onset Disaster? 14 AMMY e p t COP-AADMER e S p r Jonathan Tan, u o st f a Ready for the Dry Years: Regional Action 17 S e Mary Anne Therese Manuson, f is o Five Years of SDGs in ASEAN: 48 SOMY SOCA D to Adapt to Drought Mega Irena, Riyanti Djalante, Y Progress and Lessons Learned o Sita Sumrit, Vong Sok u Myanmar Unified Platform for Disaster 20 t h Risk Application: A Decision Support Tool Easing the Burdens of Persons 51 EDITORIAL TEAM AMRI AMME for Risk Informed Development Planning with Disabilities Through Inclusive Covid-19 Response and Recovery Editor-in-Chief and Implementation Mary Kathleen Quiano-Castro ASEAN Training Centre for Social Workers: 26 The Rice that Binds 53 AMCA COP-AATHP Associate Editor SOMRI ASOEN Social Protection and Social Resilience Joanne B. Agbisit t n e in Disaster Situations Staff Writer In m fo n r o Safe Schools and Child-Centred Climate 28 Novia D. Rulistia m COCI* vir ati En on Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia Senior Officer of SOMCA COM Inclusion of Women and Girls as Both Targets 30 ASCC Analysis Division Cu ltu Kiran Sagoo re e and Agents of Humanitarian Response an az d y H Art ar s und EDITORIAL ADDRESS sbo Tran The ASEAN Secretariat ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department Ministerial Bodies Sectoral Bodies * takes guidance from and reports to both AMCA and AMRI 6 36 33 Jalan Sisingamangaraja 70A Jakarta 12110, Indonesia Tel: 62-21-7262991 AMRI-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information AMMDM-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting SOMRDPE-Senior Officials Meeting on Rural E-mail: ASCCAD@asean.org on Disaster Management Development and Poverty Eradication AMCA-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts COP-AADMER-Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN SOMSWD-Senior Officials Meeting on Social AMMY-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth ISSN 2721-8058 Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Welfare and Development ASED-ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting Response ACWC-ASEAN Commission on the Promotion AMMS-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports AMME-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children AMRDPE-ASEAN Ministers on Rural Development and COP to AATHP-Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN ACW-ASEAN Committee on Women Interviews Conversations Infographics Poverty Eradication Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution SLOM-Senior Labour Officials Meeting AMMSWD-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare SOMCA-Senior Officials Meeting on Culture and Arts SOM-ACCSM-Senior Officials Meeting Secretary-General of ASEAN 6 Disasters through the Lens 35 Slow-Onset Disaster 12 and Development COCI-The ASEAN Committee for Culture and Information on ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters Dato Lim Jock Hoi Dr. Rangi W. Sudrajat 36 vs. Sudden-Onset Disaster AMMW-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women SOMRI-Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for SOMHD-Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development Asian Development Bank’s 16 Rowel Balais 37 Major Disasters, 2006-2020 33 ALMM-ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting Information ACDM-ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management Jose Antonio R. Tan III Alex Baluyut 38 ACCSM-The Heads of Civil Service Meeting SOMY-Senior Officials Meeting on Youth ASOEN-ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment and Benita Ainabe and Precious Leano for ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters SOMED-Senior Officials Meeting on Education COM to AATHP-Committee under the Conference of Parties Pimvadee Keaokiriya 40 AHMM-ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting SOMS-Senior Officials Meeting on Sports to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution

On the cover: A family stays in the shell of their damaged home, after Super Typhoon Cover ©ymphotos/Shutterstock Haiyan ravaged Leyte province in the Philippines, November 2013 Composed by Kramakata

ASCC Magazine March 2020 IBC_AR_Edt v3-Chosen.indd 1 4/28/20 6:52 PM 4 A Note from the Editors

A Note from the Editorial Team

The ASEAN magazine was rising global temperatures. This Issue 1 wrapping up work on this edition also focuses on slow on-set https://bit.ly/ edition when Super Typhoon disasters like agricultural drought. TheASEAN_V1 Goni ripped through the Philippines’ UN Under-Secretary-General and northeastern coast. Almost a million ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida residents evacuated to safer grounds Salsiah Alisjahbana says the ASEAN to avoid the expected storm surges. region experienced the most severe In just one month, five typhoons droughts in the past five years. have struck the Mekong Delta Issue 2 region, displacing millions more In our Conversations section, https://bit.ly/ and causing the loss of lives and we look at disasters through TheASEAN_V2 property. Viet Nam bears the brunt the lens of a photographer of the strongest storm it has and through the eyes of people who experienced in 20 years. have witnessed the impacts of terrible calamities—a doctor, a survivor, The region is experiencing the a development worker, and wrath of severe typhoons that a couple of artists turned Issue 3 have become more intense and community organisers. https://bit.ly/ frequent in recent years. The impact TheASEAN_V3 of these series of cyclones is a stark The COVID-19 pandemic has reminder that early warning systems, exacerbated the socio-economic risks response, and risk reduction that the poor and most vulnerable face. measures need to be in place The World Bank predicts as many before any disaster strikes. as 115 million people worldwide will slide into extreme in 2020 because Issue 4 The ASEAN Secretariat’s Disaster of the pandemic, creating a “new poor.” https://bit.ly/ TheASEAN_V4 Management and Humanitarian In ASEAN, many of those who may Assistance Division and the ASEAN be at risk of extreme poverty live in Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian areas struck by the recent disasters. Assistance on disaster management discuss the regional mechanisms that In this issue, we also feature are in place to prepare for and a special report on child, early, respond to this string of disasters and forced marriages, by the Issue 5 https://bit.ly/ in the region. ASEAN Secretariat’s Poverty TheASEAN_V5 Eradication and Gender Division. After the September edition on Climate Change, this month’s issue We tie up this month’s edition with takes a closer look at extreme a lighter look at rice, the grain that weather disruptions caused by binds ASEAN nations together.

The ASEAN October 2020 THE INSIDE THE INSIDEVIEW VIEW 6 The Inside View Disaster Management

Viewpoint: Dato Lim Jock Hoi Secretary-General of ASEAN

Several countries in the region have Delivering humanitarian been hit by a series of powerful typhoons, response must be innovative flooding, landslides, and forest fires over and utilise information and the past few years. How has ASEAN and communications technology. the Member States responded to these Cash-based transfers via digital transboundary disasters? platforms could be another Secretary-General Lim: As a regional potential use of technology in organisation, ASEAN has been pioneering a disaster-pandemic context. coherent and coordinated regional actions. Donors and humanitarian One of the most important actions is the agencies increasingly view ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary cash-based interventions Haze Pollution. The Agreement is the first as an important emergency regional arrangement in the world that binds response to meet immediate a group of contiguous states to tackle needs in the aftermath of transboundary haze pollution resulting a disaster. Another area of from land and forest fires. It has also improvement would be communications. establishes the ASEAN Coordinating Centre been considered a global role model As communications infrastructure could for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster for tackling transboundary issues. be damaged during a natural hazard, it management (AHA Centre) as the operational would require innovative solutions to coordination body and engine of AADMER. Just this October, several disasters struck ensure that disaster-prone and disaster- the region. Tropical storms Linfa and Nangka affected communities remain connected. There is also the ASEAN Disaster heavily impacted Viet Nam, Cambodia and Management and Emergency Relief Lao PDR. Typhoon Molave came next and How would you assess the work that Fund (ADMER Fund) which was established affected the Philippines and Viet Nam. In the has been accomplished in the ASEAN for the implementation of AADMER. The fund wake of Molave, came Super Typhoon Goni, Agreement on Disaster Management is administered by the ASEAN Secretariat battering the Philippines and heading and Emergency Response (AADMER) under the guidance of the Conference of towards Viet Nam next. The One ASEAN, Work Programme 2016-2020? What the Parties to AADMER. The ADMER Fund One Response framework guides our can be expected from the AADMER serves as a pool of resources to support responses to disastrous events like these. Work Programme 2021-2025? the implementation of the AADMER work Under this framework, the AHA Centre is Secretary-General Lim: Recognising that programme, respond to emergencies in responsible for, and is assisting the ASEAN ASEAN Member States are at a higher risk ASEAN Member States, as well as for the

Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator in of experiencing and suffering from disasters operational activities of the AHA Centre. It Secretariat/Kusuma Pandu Wijaya Photo Credit: © ASEAN mobilising more resources and coordinating due to natural and human-induced hazards, is open to voluntary contributions by ASEAN coherent and harmonised regional actions ASEAN has laid down a policy framework Member States and other public and private on disaster responses. that mandates the programmatic pursuance sources, such as ASEAN dialogue partners of disaster management and risk reduction and assisting (donor) governments. What are the challenges of responding initiatives at regional and national levels. to disasters during a pandemic? The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster The ASEAN Committee for Disaster Secretary-General Lim: COVID-19 pandemic Management and Emergency Response Management (ACDM) will continue to serve created a situation where overseas travel and (AADMER) was ratified by all 10 Member as the main driver in the implementation supply chain restrictions severely slow down States and entered into force on 24 December of AADMER, assisted by the five ACDM the movement of relief items and international 2009. It has two objectives: (i) reduction of working groups, the ASEAN Secretariat, AHA humanitarian workers. Additionally, disaster losses, and (ii) enhanced regional Centre, as well as partners and stakeholders. evacuations were hampered as affected cooperation in responding to disasters. populations could not be transported in large AADMER is a legally-binding instrument— The ACDM essentially provides leadership numbers, while evacuation centres could only binding all the 10 countries and serving and guidance towards fulfilling the aims be filled to half their usual capacity to prevent as a common platform in responding to of AADMER, and oversees the overall the spread of the coronavirus disease. disasters within ASEAN. The Agreement implementation of the work programme.

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Through ACDM, we aim to institutional capacity and strengthen coordination with policy frameworks for effective other relevant ASEAN bodies, The most important takeaway implementation of DRR and such as through the cross-sectoral from the pandemic is the climate change action, and coordination platforms we have appreciation of the continuing undertook various interventions created. ACDM also intends to in incorporating DRR into climate invite and engage partners and relevance and importance prediction, in particular to the stakeholders to ensure that the of regional and global cooperation. flood-prone countries. AADMER implementation is inclusive and comprehensive. ASEAN continuously promotes safe and resilient The ACDM working groups infrastructure through the will continue to take the implementation stakeholders. It calls for more innovative ASEAN Safe School Initiative programme, of specific priority programmes. They are methods for disaster risk financing and development of guidelines, regional expected to review proposals from insurance. It will strengthen alignment with standards, and innovative designs partners and determine the technical international frameworks such as the Sendai for urban resilience and climate feasibility, before endorsing the proposals Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Paris adaptive cities. to the ACDM. They are also expected to Agreement on Climate Change, and the engage with partners at the technical level Global 2030 Agenda of Sustainable With regard to slow-onset disasters such as and invite partners into open sessions of Development. Most importantly, it will drought, ASEAN has successfully completed the working groups. bring ASEAN closer towards realising comprehensive studies to identify the its vision of being a global leader potential risks and impact of drought on the The national disaster management in disaster management. region. The study report provided insightful organisations (NDMOs), which constitute recommendations to ASEAN on how to the ACDM, will oversee the implementation What strategies or interventions are mitigate and respond to the foreseeable of the priority programmes at the national being implemented at the ASEAN regional challenge of drought, and led to the and local levels, and institutionalise level to strengthen the ability of Member development of the ASEAN Declaration AADMER at national and local levels. States to prepare for, manage, and on the Strengthening of Adaptation to minimise the effects of both rapid Drought in 2020. A regional plan of action ASEAN Secretariat will continue and slow-onset disasters? to implement the Declaration is underway, to provide policy coordination support Secretary-General Lim: The ACDM, through and will provide a stronger foundation for to the ACDM as well as assist the ACDM in its five working groups, has developed and relevant sectors in preventing and responding assessing technical feasibility of proposals implemented various tools, mechanisms, and to the impact of drought in the years to come. submitted by partners, to ensure that they capacity building initiatives to strengthen are in line with the priority programmes. the capacity of ASEAN Member States in What lessons have ASEAN Member States preventing, mitigating, and responding to learned regarding the pandemic and how Likewise, AHA Centre will continue to support the impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters. have these influenced the priorities ASEAN Member States in ensuring collective The development of the ASEAN Guidelines and initiatives of the ASEAN disaster response and in capacity building, and will on Risk Vulnerability Assessment, management sector going forward? assist the working groups on the technical enhancement of the ASEAN Disaster Secretary-General Lim: The Declaration of implementation of the priority programes. Monitoring Response System, development the Special ASEAN Summit on Coronavirus of national risk profiles, and strengthening Disease 2019 (14 April 2020) recommended Partners and stakeholders are expected of risk data and information sharing both the following seven measures: to work with ACDM to ensure that their for rapid and slow-onset disasters have been (i) Further strengthen public health proposed activities contribute directly to essential to support the Member States cooperation measures to contain the the AADMER work programme. To ensure with relevant and reliable information on pandemic and protect the people, coordination, partners are expected to liaise the particular risks and hazards affecting (ii) Make arrangements to preserve with the ACDM working groups through different countries. Initial risk assessment supply chain connectivity, ASEAN Secretariat and AHA Centre. data and information have proven to be (iii) Actions are to be based on a useful to support the preparedness actions multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral, and The ASEAN Work Programme 2021-2025 and also the development of more comprehensive approach by ASEAN to will continue to strengthen the coordinated proximate scenarios planned under the effectively respond to COVID-19 and future and coherent regional efforts in disaster ASEAN Joint Disaster Response Plan public health emergencies, management by ASEAN. The work programme and ASEAN Regional Disaster Exercise. (iv) Take collective action and coordinate will continue to provide a set of concrete policies in mitigating the economic and actions to assist ASEAN Member States ASEAN has been consistent in mainstreaming social impact from the pandemic, reduce risk and strengthen resilience. It will disaster risk reduction (DRR) into climate safeguarding the people’s well-being and expand potential collaborations with wider change adaptation. It has strengthened maintaining socio-economic stability, 8 The Inside View Disaster Management

(v) Enhance effective and transparent public communication involving multiple forms of media including timely updates of relevant government policies, public health and safety information, clarifications on misinformation, and efforts to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination, (vi) Prioritise the well-being of our peoples in ASEAN’s collective fight against COVID-19,and provide appropriate assistance and support to the nationals of ASEAN Member States affected by the pandemic in each other’s country or in third countries, (vii) Support reallocating existing available funds and encourage technical and financial support from ASEAN’s partners to facilitate cooperation, including the proposed establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

The most important takeaway from the pandemic is the appreciation of the continuing relevance and importance of regional and global cooperation. COVID-19 strengthened the unshakeable bond of brotherhood of nations among ASEAN Member States as regional collaboration is necessary to their national COVID-19 containment efforts. COVID-19 has brought the best in ASEAN and its external partners, showing that multilateralism and regional cooperation are ideal approaches to address common challenges. As Typhoons Hit the Region With reference to the ASEAN Vision 2025, ASEAN is Prepared to Respond how do you see ASEAN realising the vision of being the global leader in disaster DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE management in the future? DIVISION,ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT Secretary-General Lim: ASEAN is well placed to THE ASEAN EDITORIAL TEAM become a global leader in disaster management and emergency response, given its vast experience, knowledge, and expertise. These experience, Super Typhoon Goni slammed the northeastern knowledge and expertise need to be leveraged more effectively through multiple avenues including coast of the Philippines on the first day of through comprehensive and integrated November. The country’s National Disaster Risk communications. As we look at ASEAN as an Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) overarching regional governance system, it is important to ensure that the different ASEAN reports that as of 4 November, the typhoon had pillars and sectors effectively work together. caused at least 20 deaths and affected more Furthermore it is important for ASEAN to than two million people in 12 regions. explore sustainable and innovative ways to transform the way it funds and mobilises resources for disaster management and Goni’s strength was comparable the relatively low death toll to effective emergency response as well as enhance its to Super Typhoon Haiyan that hit early warnings, preparedness and networks with traditional and non-traditional the province of Leyte almost seven preemptive evacuation partners. Therefore for the next five years, ASEAN years ago. Haiyan affected 16 million will focus on activities to support the following people and left over 7,000 people At a government briefing on priorities: (i) knowledge management for regional dead or missing. Goni weakened 1 November, Philippine Secretary Photo Credit: © Department of Public Affairs Office, Office Civil Defense, P hilippines resilience building, and (ii) sharing of regional slightly after making several landfalls of Defense Delfin Lorenzana, who is knowledge and experiences to demonstrate but still caused significant damage. also Chair of the ASEAN Ministerial global leadership in disaster management. The Philippine government attributes Meeting on Disaster Management

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It is crucial for ASEAN to build on preparedness, early warning systems, response measures, and resilience in communities that face the wrath of ferocious typhoons.

11 October said, “These past few days, the National damaged; millions of cattle and Tropical Storm Linfa pummels Viet Nam Disaster Risk Reduction and Management poultry, hundreds of hectares of aquatic The government sends a mission Council started preparations for the super products were lost; many roads, bridges, to the central provinces and calls typhoon, coordinating with the national and many irrigation, electricity, and for in-country assistance government’s agencies, as well as local telecommunications works were government units situated in the typhoon damaged, collapsed.” 12 October track to ensure that our people will be Linfa causes 11 deaths and taken care of, taken out of harm’s way.” AHA Centre delivered aid and relief goods displaces 33,000 people in Viet Nam that had been stored in a DELSA warehouse In Lao DPR, one person dies and Another powerful typhoon, Molave, had in Subang, Malaysia. The government of almost 8,000 are displaced lashed the Philippines just days prior, and Viet Nam, with the support of development residents were bracing for the worst. As early partners, the United Nations, and other 14 October as 31 October, the NDRRMC was on red alert, international organisations organised three Linfa and another tropical storm, and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre flash assessments teams to gauge the needs Nangka, kill 28 people and floods for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster of five affected provinces. Coordination was an area of 8,539 hectares management (AHA Centre) prepared for a done through the Disaster Risk Reduction potential response. Stockpiles were ready to Partnership, established in October 2019, 15 October be deployed from the Disaster Emergency that facilitates information sharing and Widespread flooding, landslides Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) coordination with partners in disaster in multiple provinces of Cambodia, warehouse based in Manila. risk reduction in Viet Nam. Lao PDR, and Vietnam Warnings and instructions of preventive Relief operations are ongoing in the “The Disaster Risk Reduction Partners measures are spread through text hardest-hit provinces in the Bicol region and international agencies have taken messages, social media and southern Luzon. timely and practical actions to support the people in Central Vietnam in facing 19 October Typhoon Goni’s path of destruction the difficulties caused by natural disasters. VNDMA Coordination Meeting continues to the Mekong Delta region, The total amount committed for support with international organisations which also had been earlier hit by Molave is more than 9 million US dollars, and and three other storms, all in just one including the immediate and prompt 21 October month—Linfa, Nangka, Saudel. Linfa support from ASEAN and the Japan Tropical Storm Saudel hits caused flooding and destruction in International Cooperation Agency Cambodia and causes flash floods Lao PDR, while Saudel brought flash floods as soon as the disaster occurred,” Cambodia’s NCDM distributes to 19 provinces in Cambodia. Viet Nam has the VNDMA added. relief assistance and conducts been hit by all four typhoons, with Molave response operations the strongest it has felt in two decades. More severe weather disturbances are expected in the region as a result of 27 October The Viet Nam Disaster Management climate change and other environmental Typhoon Molave lashes the Philippines, Authority (VNDMA) says the total damage factors. It is crucial for ASEAN to build on at least 775,513 people affected, has yet to be assessed. “From mid-September preparedness, early warning systems, 22 dead, and 39 injured up to now, four storms and two tropical response measures, and resilience in depressions occurred in a row, caused heavy communities that face the wrath of ferocious 28 October rains on a large scale in the central provinces typhoons. The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Molave pounds Vietnam, of Viet Nam. High floods caused deep Management Response and ASEAN 2025 leaving 38 dead and 132 injured inundation, flash floods, and landslides Vision for Disaster Management and occurring on a large scale. Hundreds of One ASEAN, One Response are the most 2 November people are dead or missing, and about important frameworks for coordinated Super Typhoon Goni wreaks havoc in the northeastern Philippines seven million are affected. Thousands responses and long term disaster risk Nam; AHA Centre Viet VDNMA, Philippines; NDRCC, Sources: of hectares of rice and crops were reduction in the region. 10 The Inside View Disaster Management

ASEAN ASPIRES TO BE THE GLOBAL LEADER IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

RIYANTI DJALANTE, PhD KY-ANH NGUYEN HEAD, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE DIVISION DIRECTORATE, ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most disaster- serves as the legal backbone for the ASEAN disaster management sector. prone regions in the world. From 2012 to 2018, The agreement is implemented through 1,218 disasters occurred in the region, causing an the AADMER work programme which runs estimated yearly damage of 15.9 billion US dollars, on a five-year cycle. The next iteration of the work programme, AADMER Work three times ASEAN’s collective annual GDP. Programme 2021-2025, is expected to be adopted this year and will lay out

the ASEAN disaster management sector’s Photo Credit: © Department of Public Affairs Office, Office Civil Defense, P hilippines These disasters led to almost 30,000 deaths mechanisms to manage and reduce strategic priorities over the next five years. and affected more than 190 million people disaster risks and strengthen cooperation in the past decade. The magnitude of losses among its Member States. This framework The ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster in lives and economies must be reduced. aims to strengthen ASEAN’s collective Management outlines the strategic efforts in reducing disaster risk and direction of the ASEAN disaster The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster enhance ASEAN’s coordinated response Management and Emergency in emergencies. The most significant Response and the ASEAN Vision is the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Super Typhoon Goni damaged 2025 on Disaster Management Management and Emergency Response thousands of homes and buildings To meet the challenge, ASEAN has (AADMER), adopted in 2009. AADMER in the Philippines’ Bicol region developed several frameworks and is a legally binding agreement that

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effects of disasters in pursuit of safer communities and sustainable development.” The ACDM is guided by a common vision of In this regard, the ACDM focal points, “A region of disaster-resilient nations, mutually comprising of the heads of the respective ASEAN Member States’ national disaster assisting and complementing one another, sharing management offices, provide strategic a common bond in minimising adverse effects of guidance in the regular review, monitoring, disasters in pursuit of safer communities and evaluation of the implementation of the strategic components of the AADMER and sustainable development.” work programme. The AHA Centre serves as the operational engine to the AADMER and is also tasked to support the ASEAN Declaration’s operationalisation of One management sector. The vision platform which utilises ASEAN’s ASEAN, One Response. Under the ACDM, of the ASEAN Ministers in charge disaster response coordination principles, subsidiary thematic working groups have of disaster management is to realise framework, and mechanisms, to respond been organised to lead the technical ASEAN as a global leader in disaster to disasters in the region and outside the implementation of the AADMER work management by 2025. Towards this region as one. The ASEAN Coordinating programme based on the respective end, the ASEAN disaster management Centre for Humanitarian Assistance priority programmes. sector is coherent in its priorities and on disaster management (AHA Centre) activities committed under the AWP’s supports the operationalisation of the The ACDM has made significant aegis to meet this regional agenda. One ASEAN, One Response approach. progress by developing disaster management tools and capacities, In September 2016, the ASEAN Leaders AADMER Implementation Arrangements conducting simulation exercise, and signed the ASEAN Declaration on One The ASEAN Committee on Disaster disaster relief operations. To name ASEAN, One Response to increase the Management (ACDM) is the leading a few, the ASEAN Joint Disaster speed, the scale, and the solidarity of coordinating body and the main driver Response Plan (AJDRP), the ASEAN ASEAN’s response. The declaration was in implementing the AADMER work Standard Operating Procedure for inspired mostly from the lessons and programme. The ACDM is guided by a Regional Standby Arrangements experiences gained from ASEAN’s common vision of “A region of disaster- and Coordination of Joint Disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 resilient nations, mutually assisting and Relief and Emergency Response in the Philippines. One ASEAN, One complementing one another, sharing Operations (SASOP), and the ASEAN- Response is an open and inclusive a common bond in minimising adverse Emergency Response and Assessment Photo Credit: © Philippine Coast Guard Team (ASEAN-ERAT) are among the notable achievements. With support from the ASEAN dialogue partners and other partners’ organisations, various guidelines, policy dialogues, research studies, and capacity building activities have also been implemented.

To strengthen its cooperation with various range of partners, the ACDM established different platforms including the AADMER Partnership Conference, the ASEAN-United Nations Joint Strategic Plan of Action on Disaster Management (ASEAN-UN JSPADM), the ASEAN-International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Coalition on Resilience, and ASEAN-International Committee of the

The Philippine Coast Guard helps about 128 families evacuate from Buhi, Camarines Sur, before Super Typhoon Goni pummels the province on 1 November 12 The Inside View Disaster Management Photo Credit: © sutawijaya/Shutterstock

Pekanbaru, Riau, 1 July 2020 frameworks, the new work programme warning systems, and built the capacity The governor of Riau inspects emphasises multi-hazards, localisation, of the Member States. The AHA Centre preparations of a forest innovation, synergy and social inclusion has significantly strengthened and fire service unit in all stages of disaster management. ensured coherence and coordination It also focuses on disaster risk assessment in disaster response. Moving forward, and monitoring, mainstreaming disaster risk ASEAN will work towards better reduction into climate change adaptation, integration of disaster risk reduction, Red Cross (ICRC) Joint Platform. To engage advancing disaster-responsive social climate change adaptation, and future civil society organisations, ASEAN established protection, and resilient infrastructure. shocks such as pandemics and multi- the AADMER Partnership Group and It strengthens the existing ASEAN hazards considerations. The goals are also ACDM-Civil Society Organisations response mechanisms of standby to increase investments for resilience partnership frameworks. To improve arrangements, enhances preparedness in disaster prevention and mitigation multi-sectoral coordination and synergies of logistics and information management and ensure to “build back better” in among ASEAN-related mechanisms, systems for large scale disasters, and recovery and reconstruction. ASEAN the Joint Task Force to Promote Synergy fortifies institutional frameworks for will ensure coherence between its with Other Relevant ASEAN Bodies on more effective recovery. The AADMER work programme in the next five Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Work Programme 2021-2025 will years, with the Sendai Framework Relief (JTF on HADR) is convened regularly. support continuous innovation through for Disaster Risk Reduction, Paris knowledge management, which will Agreement on Climate Change, The AADMER Work Programme 2021- eventually support ASEAN’s goal to New Urban Agenda, and the 2025: Integrated and Proactive Disaster become a global leader in disaster Sustainable Development Goals. Risk Reduction and Management management by 2025. ASEAN wishes to share its vast The AADMER Work Programme experiences within and beyond 2021-2025 sets the strategic and ASEAN as the Global Leader the region while continuing to practical direction for ASEAN to in Disaster Management build trust and capacity in disaster support the realisation of the ASEAN ASEAN has also developed coherent, management. We believe that all vision of more inclusive and resilient coordinated, and strengthened emergency of these will pave the way forward communities. Through mutual assistance response, increased provisions of to realise ASEAN as the global leader and complementarity with the global disaster risk assessment and early in disaster management.

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 13

SLOW-ONSET DISASTER VS. SUDDEN-ONSET DISASTER

SLOW-ONSET DISASTER SUDDEN-ONSET DISASTER Source: UN Office for Disaster Disaster that emerges gradually Disaster triggered by a Risk Reduction over time hazardous event that emerges quickly or unexpectedly Includes drought, desertification, sea-level Includes earthquake, volcanic rise, epidemic disease eruption, flash flood, chemical explosion, critical infrastructure failure, transport accident

1200 Types of Disasters in ASEAN Countries 2012–2020

Flood 1089 1000 Wind 276

1089 Storm 214 Average Annual Loss from Disasters 800 Landslide 212 as a Percentage of GDP, by Country Earthquake 76 Drought 44 Lao PDR Cambodia Philippines 600 Volcano 28 8.7 8.0 6.7 Wild fire 6 400 Viet Nam Myanmar Thailand Tsunami 3

276 6.2 5.6 3.0

200 214 212 Indonesia Malaysia Brunei

76 2.7 1.9 0.6 44 28 6 3 0 Source: The Disaster Riskscape across Source: ASEAN Disaster Information Network, Jan 2012-24 Sept 2020 Southeast Asia, UN ESCAP, 2020 14 The Inside View Disaster Management

CAN ASEAN RESPOND TO A SLOW-ONSET DISASTER?

ADELINA KAMAL Centre Photo Credit: © AHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASEAN COORDINATING CENTRE FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT (AHA CENTRE)

“One ASEAN, One Response” is far from just a tagline. It is a well thought out concept born out of a necessity to connect the real disaster experience from ground zero to the highest level of the diplomatic arena in ASEAN. It was borne from ASEAN’s experience in its response to the 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones known to mankind that killed more than 6,000 people in the Philippines.

Typhoon Haiyan’s devastating impact by the organisation to help one or a few. In ASEAN, there needs to be established urged ASEAN to rethink, reorganise In ASEAN, it is about the 10 countries features for regional coordination to drive and recharge its regional response and coming together to support their an effective collective response. The first prompted the ASEAN Leaders to sign members whenever calamities strike is a functional organisation that is in and issue the ASEAN Declaration on them. While a collective response charge of the coordination. Through the One ASEAN, One Response: ASEAN reflects solidarity, the speed and scale Declaration on One ASEAN, One Response Responding to Disasters as One in of the actions constitute the essential backed by two agreements ratified by all the Region and Outside the Region. bedrock of “One ASEAN, One Response.”

A regional response’s true essence What does it take to make a regional Relief items distribution in response embodies a sense of togetherness, response work? Coordination is the to the Lao PDR floods in 2018 a united approach, and concerted action foundation of a collective response.

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 15 © AHA Centre Photo Credit: © AHA

The aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines 2013 The state-of-the-art ASEAN Emergency Operations Centre at the AHA Centre serves as the regional nerve

the ASEAN Member States, the centre during a collective disaster response. ASEAN Leaders appointed the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) as the primary regional serves as the regional nerve centre during as a coordinating hub and the home for coordinating agency for disaster a collective disaster response. It provides ASEAN’s response on the ground. The joint management and emergency response. The another crucial element to disaster and operation capability is mostly supported ASEAN Standard Operating Procedure humanitarian operations—a common by ASEAN’s homegrown response team, for Regional Standby Arrangements operating picture of an ongoing disaster the ASEAN Emergency Response and and Coordination of Joint Disaster to ensure that all parties are equally informed Assessment Team (ERAT), and the Disaster Relief and Emergency Response and able to effectively conduct regional Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN Operations (SASOP) provides guidelines collaborative planning and decision (DELSA), which is backed by a network on the dynamics and synergy of all parties making. The AHA Centre produces of three warehouses in the region. in joint disaster and relief operations. and provides data, information and updates on ongoing and past disasters. Initially, the AHA Centre’s contribution The availability of a plan that synchronises It has also conducted innumerable to an emergency response was often all parties’ direction is another essential coordination meetings to support measured by the speed at which AHA component of a collective response. and facilitate regional decision- Centre’s personnel and ASEAN-ERAT The ASEAN Joint Disaster Response making processes and actions. teams were deployed on the ground and Plan is developed before a disaster the value of relief items they distributed to strikes and made known to all parties The final feature of an effective regional affected populations. The Central Sulawesi involved. This plan provides predictability collective response is the joint operation response in Indonesia marked the first and a basis for the regional response. capability on the ground, where real time the AHA Centre was designated action and tangible impact take place. by the affected country to support The state-of-the-art ASEAN Emergency The Joint Operations and Coordination the coordination of incoming international Operations Centre at the AHA Centre Centre of ASEAN (JOCCA), functions assistance, highlighting its role as the primary 16 The Inside View Disaster Management

Top The AHA Centre Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) situation room

Bottom The Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT) coordination with the local

authority and partners during the Central Centre Photo Credit: © AHA Sulawesi response in 2018

regional coordinating agency. This sets a precedent for AHA Centre’s function in other regional disaster response operations in the future.

The Central Sulawesi response also provided an important lesson that while the AHA Centre has evolved and progressed significantly as the primary coordinating agency, it has not fully accessed all required resources and capacities available in the region. ASEAN’s collective response should go beyond mobilising existing resources managed by the AHA Centre, such as DELSA regional stockpiles and the ASEAN-ERAT. Partnership with non-traditional humanitarian partners, such as the private sector, should also be intensified.

While there has been much progress in ASEAN’s disaster response and humanitarian assistance, the regional response for slow- onset disaster has not been tested. The existing mechanisms for preparedness and collective response have been designed, tested and improved for rapid-onset disasters that arrive with no or little warning, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and those that arrive with a few days’ warning, such as floods and storms.

A slow-onset hazard develops over long thresholds are not as defined as other and launched even before disasters periods, often neglected until late in its hazards. For the past eight years, the total happen. The One ASEAN, One Response development, with no instant destruction to number of droughts recorded in the AHA can be further enhanced towards building infrastructure and immediate displacement. Centre Disaster Information Network a better and safer ASEAN Community. Drought is often referred to as the classic database is 46 events, affecting 7.6 million Collective anticipatory and early action example of a slow-onset disaster. It continues people and representing two per cent can reduce, even prevent losses in lives to be underestimated due to its unnoticeable of all disasters recorded out of around and property from disasters of all kinds. development and often indirect consequences. 2,100 total disasters in the region The challenges and complexities in monitoring affecting 67 million people. drought have magnified its threat since its For more information effects are cascading, wide-ranging, recurrent, A slow-onset disaster is an anticipated about the AHA Centre, visit: and can last for several months and even event, so there is an opportunity to develop years. The main challenge with monitoring and build anticipatory responses to it. ahacentre @ahacentre drought is that drought triggers and Anticipatory actions can be planned @ahacentre www.ahacentre.org

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 17

READY FOR THE DRY YEARS: REGIONAL ACTION TO ADAPT TO DROUGHT

ARMIDA SALSIAH ALISJAHBANA, PhD Over the period 2015-2020, UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) Southeast Asia faced its most severe droughts in decades, with devastating impacts. No country in our Photo Credit: ©UNESCAP region has been spared. If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, our news headlines would have been dominated by drought impacts and recovery.

As the COVID-19 pandemic dominates the news and our collective consciousness, the need to ramp up drought action has become even stronger. For up to a quarter of our region’s populations living in drought hotspots, drought is not an isolated event; it is just one of many other interrelated pressures on their health and livelihoods. This was starkly highlighted by the onslaught of the pandemic, which threatened people’s health, livelihoods, and food security and slowed down drought response and recovery and pushed national economies into recession, and diverted government resources to other emergency socioeconomic priorities.

Although a less visible hazard than earthquakes and storms, agricultural drought dominates the disaster riskscape of Southeast Asia. ESCAP’s Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2019 shows that it accounts for over 60 per cent (approximately 51 billion US dollars) of the average annual loss due to all disasters of the entire region. Critically, these economic impacts fall disproportionately on those with the least capacity to cope, including people living in poverty, dependent upon subsistence agriculture, and suffering from malnourishment. 18 The Inside View Disaster Management

With the climate crisis upon us, the adverse mechanism to strengthen flood and drought Committee on Disaster Management impacts of drought will become even more early warning under the Asia-Pacific Disaster (ACDM), we have broadened our severe if no actions are taken. ESCAP’s Resilience Network. The objective is to harness subregional policy engagement subregional and country-level engagements advances in climate science, geospatial beyond the disaster management seek to support governments to turn the modelling, and big data analytics to support sector. The Ready for the Dry Years cyclical and slow-onset nature of drought countries. Additionally, the longstanding report series,a joint work by ESCAP into an opportunity to take risk-informed ESCAP Regional Drought Mechanism and ASEAN under the auspices of the measures to strengthen the capacity of brings the data and expertise of space- ACDM, is part of the broader effort to institutions, sectors, and populations to faring nations to others that are highly mobilise cross-sectoral support for adapt. We seek to ensure that policymakers exposed to drought. Field efforts are drought action across agriculture, disaster have all the evidence and skills they need underway in Cambodia, Lao People’s management, energy, environment, finance, Photo Credit: © Piyaset/Shutterstock to make informed decisions that Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and planning, science, and technology. The series strengthen climate resilience through Viet Nam to build national capacities to provides the evidence base of how and our intergovernmental platforms, policy apply these technologies for monitoring where droughts happen, maps recurrent research, and capacity building functions. the onset and progression of drought hotspots across Southeast Asia, and to inform operational interventions. proposes a series of proactive solutions Environment, climate change, and disaster for reducing drought risk. risk reduction are among ESCAP’s priority As the United Nations and ASEAN focus areas. We are mobilizing regional deliver their Joint Strategic Plan of The second edition, which is due for cooperation to make science, technology, Action on Disaster Management, we release in the lead up to the 37th ASEAN innovation, geospatial data, and statistics are increasingly witnessing a growing Summit in November, recommends three available to all countries. In 2019, the ESCAP recognition amongst ASEAN policymakers Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction that tackling drought requires cross-sectoral operationalised a regional cooperation cooperation. Encouraged by the ASEAN

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 19

tracks for transformation—reduce and prevent droughts from occurring; prepare and respond to droughts when they happen; As its trusted partner, ESCAP stands ready to support and restore and recover after a drought ASEAN in mobilising large-scale collaboration amongst has passed. The accompanying measures Member States, development partners, and stakeholders will not only help to avoid losses but will to tackle the transboundary drought challenge. also bring many positive economic, social, and environmental benefits.

With the notable exception of the of scientific, technological, and development to tackle the transboundary drought COVID-19 pandemic, drought is perhaps expertise across the region and beyond. challenge. The stimulus packages being the only hazard that has simultaneously rolled out by governments to revive their affected all countries in Southeast Asia As its trusted partner, ESCAP stands ready economies present opportunities to invest on a massive scale. We therefore commend to support ASEAN in mobilising large-scale in drought adaptation. We must use every the Socio-Cultural Community of ASEAN collaboration amongst Member States, opportunity to get ready for the dry for the timely efforts being taken to development partners, and stakeholders years ahead. develop an ASEAN-wide approach to drought through an ASEAN Declaration and its translation into a regional plan. The Ready for the Dry Years report will be available at: Regional cooperation can enable all https://www.unescap.org/publications/ready-dry-years-building-resilience-drought-south-east-asia-0. countries to benefit from the wealth 20 The Inside View Disaster Management

MYANMAR UNIFIED PLATFORM FOR DISASTER RISK APPLICATION: A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR RISK INFORMED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

MYAT MOE THWE DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF SOCIAL WELFARE, RELIEF AND RESETTLEMENT, MYANMAR

Myanmar, which has a very long that the disaster risks are growing and getting more complex these days. Out of those significant disasters in the last two coastal line at 2,228 kilometers, is mainly decades, 80 per cent are caused by water related hazards. exposed to water-related disasters. The decade before Cyclone Nargis struck In the wake of the catastrophic Cyclone Nargis, the Myanmar Photo Credit: ©Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Myanmar government has taken various measures towards disaster risk Myanmar in 2008, large-scale disasters reduction and management. Aiming to make long-term had been occurring in three- to five- investments in disaster risk governance, the government year intervals. drafted the Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) in 2010. By implementing the very first MAPDRR, partnership and coordination amongst the local, national and Since the cyclone, there has been a major disaster almost every international stakeholders had been remarkably strengthened. year on average over the past 10 years. And since 2018, about In 2017, with the changes in development landscape and two major disasters have struck yearly. This clearly demonstrates governance structure, MAPDRR has been reformulated

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 21

Opposite page started in February 2019 and Hands-on exercise it was undertaken through for MUDRA platform hands-on trainings, working sessions, technical meetings, Top and workshops. It contains Staff training on the background hazard modelling, exposure and application of MUDRA platform modelling and vulnerability or damage functions (Technical Bottom Report, 2019). Dissemination of MUDRA platform at an e-Government initiative Hazard Modelling The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology of the Ministry of Transport and Communications envisioning protected has led the hazard modelling work lives, economy, heritage, along with other technical and environment, through agencies. The probabilistic risk an inclusive approach and modelling approach has been geared towards sustainable adopted with a range of possible development in Myanmar. scenarios across the return periods (1 in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 years).

Photo Credit: ©Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement, Myanmar Development of MUDRA Hazard modelling is also tasked and its Applications for two climate change Under the MAPDRR (2017), scenarios with Representative one of the 32 priority areas Concentration Pathways 4.5 and focuses on understanding 8.5 for year 2040 and 2080 in disaster risks by undertaking accordance with the projections a national comprehensive estimated by the Department of multi-hazard and probabilistic Meteorology and Hydrology and risk assessment. In line with the Environmental Conservation national priority, the project Department. It allows the on “Strengthening Climate and users to understand the Disaster Resilience of Myanmar possible risk scenarios and Communities” was implemented potential impacts triggered to contribute to a disaster risk by the changing climate. modelling for three major hazards; cyclones wind, Exposure Modelling storm surge, and riverine It is one of the most important floods at the national level. aspects of risk modelling with In this connection, developing the Myanmar Unified platform for more than 18 line departments sharing their data for exposure Disaster Risk Application (MUDRA) was led by the Department of modelling. The current exposure data set covers population Disaster Management of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and (disaggregated by age, sex, disability), types of housing, crops, Resettlement in collaboration with other technical agencies and livestock, school locations, warehouses, embankments, dams, with technical support from the Asian Development Bank and cyclone shelters, high-ways, village connection roads and etc. financial assistance from the government of Canada. Overall, 60 layers of data under seven components are made available in the exposure modelling. Moreover, the Department MUDRA provides a decision support tool to government of Disaster Management has coordinated a field survey of 400 agencies and other disaster risk reduction practitioners existing multi-purpose shelters in Ayeyarwady Region which to collaborate, share, and apply disaster risk information enables the platform to provide detailed attributes of the in the pursuit of risk informed development. Currently, MUDRA cyclone shelter locations and their conditions. includes three priority hazards but intends to incorporate more hazard information in the future to be able to design a multi-hazard Vulnerability Modelling risk information platform. Modelling work was undertaken by Vulnerability modelling or damage functions indicate the Deltares (the Netherlands) in partnership with Royal Haskoning damage ratio for various intensities of the hazard (damage DHV, Wageningen University & Research, and OneMap to support vs. wind speed or damage vs. water depth). One of the main the GIS platform. It is hosted in the OneMap Myanmar Portal challenges in the advanced model is that there is no recorded with the intent of having an integrated platform across sectoral data for damages on housing, agriculture, and other sectors bodies and sharing the data among them. Modelling work from small and medium scale disasters. Thus, in consultation 22 The Inside View Disaster Management

with sector departments, the risk reduction measures additional surveys to collect in sectoral and localised detailed damage data for More importantly, risk modelling work development endeavors housing, agriculture, livestock, helps disaster managers become aware of can be undertaken. and aquaculture from recent floodings in Ayeyarwady, the potential impacts of disasters in light Location specific risk data Mon, Magway and Sagaing of future climate projections. and information are critical Regions were carried out. to understanding climate and disaster risk and further Contribution of MUDRA taking the necessary actions MUDRA was built with six main indicators and nine sub on preparedness, prevention, response, and mitigation. More indicators derived from the Sendai Framework for Disaster importantly, risk modelling work helps disaster managers become Risk Reduction seeking to quantify disaster risk. Risk can aware of the potential impacts of disasters in light of future climate be explored at the township level which is the fundamental projections. Based on the findings of the risk modelling platform, administrative unit for different return periods and for exposed populations, critical infrastructure, livelihoods, vulnerable climate change scenarios. The development of MUDRA groups, GDP can be projected, making the platform an indispensable has strengthened the capability of government officials tool for risk-informed decision-making. The results of the disaster to analyse risk and apply Geo-informatics in their primary risk modelling are available at the online interactive portal work. The use of MUDRA has contributed to better planning, (https://www.mudra-ddm.info) (Policy Notes, 2019). To sum up, MUDRA with the government prioritising limited resources based will be able to support the exchange of disaster risk information on needs and emerging risks. It offers user-friendly maps and among agencies in Myanmar, to promote a culture of risk-informed curves for improved visualisation in disaster management and development and contribute to the implementation of the MAPDRR

development plans. Depending on the risk landscape, effective and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Photo Credit: © neenawat khenyothaa/Shutterstock

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 23

Viewpoint: THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ON FINANCING DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND RESILIENCE BUILDING

has been and continues to be a lesson to us all—governments, development partners and NGOs—in our individual and collective response to what is an unprecedented global disaster. ADB’s COVID-19 response in Southeast Asia has been rapid, robust and impactful. It included 5.375 billion US dollars of COVID-19 pandemic response operations (i.e., the COVID-19 Active Jose Antonio R. Tan III Benita Ainabe Response and Expenditure Support Director, Public Management, Financial Financial Sector Specialist (Capital Programs), emergency social assistance Sector, and Trade Division, Southeast Asia Markets), Public Management, Financial and health support loans, emergency Department, Asian Development Bank Sector, and Trade Division, Southeast Asia health grants, emergency food Department, Asian Development Bank assistance and knowledge support grants. ADB’s support focused on three crucial areas: (i) supporting What are the financial and development The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has healthcare responses to save lives; implications of natural disasters? provided disaster and emergency relief (ii) supporting the poorest and most The financial and development assistance but in light of the increasing vulnerable suffering severe economic implications of disasters caused threats like climate change and hardship; and (iii) addressing the by natural hazards are vast and linger pandemics, how have financing and devastating impacts of COVID-19 well beyond the disaster events. Due to loan modalities shifted over the years? on businesses and economies to help their location, countries in the ASEAN Has funding for disaster risk reduction countries rebound after the crisis. The region are among the world’s most programmes increased? next phase of ADB’s support will focus disaster-prone countries, with high ADB has been a strong and reliable partner on vaccine access, which is critical to likelihood of their economies being to ASEAN Member States in times of disaster preventing the continued loss of severely impacted by disasters such and has extended significant and timely billions of dollars to economies. as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic disaster response over the past three decades. eruptions, tropical cyclones (typhoons), Our response after some of the most Before the recently approved contingent floods, landslides, and droughts. For devastating disasters is noteworthy, such disaster financing loans totaling 1 billion example, in the Philippines, the average as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Typhoon US dollars, namely, the Disaster Resilience annual cost of disasters is estimated at 0.7 Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines in 2013, Improvement Programs to Indonesia and per cent–1.0 per cent of GDP amounting and the 2018 earthquakes and tsunamis the Philippines (ex ante), ADB’s support to to approximately 3.6 billion US dollars in Lombok and Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. its Southeast Asia developing member from earthquakes and typhoons. Similarly ADB provided 0.4 billion US dollars in grants countries had been primarily reactive in Indonesia, from 1999 to 2018, average and 1.7 billion US dollars in long-term (ex post). ADB, other multilateral and annual losses from disasters of 1.5 billion loans to help rebuild after these disasters. bilateral development institutions US dollars are recorded, affecting 800,000 It is also worth noting that ADB set up the have become even more responsive people per year and 190,000 lives lost Asian Tsunami Fund in 2005, the first of to the impact of climate change which in total. Damage caused by disasters its kind for any international financial is set to increase the frequency and has often exacerbated poverty and institution with all grant resources. severity of extreme climate events inequality in Southeast Asia, as the in the future. Rapid demographic poor and vulnerable are always more ADB has also supported pandemic and economic growth in hazard-prone disproportionately affected. Further, response in the region, for example, areas, including coastal cities are also in some instances, the poorest parts the 2005 Severe Acute Respiratory expected to increase exposure to natural of the affected countries in the Syndrome outbreak. However, the ongoing hazards, contributing to continuing region are more disaster-prone. coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic high levels of disaster risk. 24 The Inside View Disaster Management

Can you elaborate on the role of the private sector in disaster risk financing? What financing tools have been made available and how do they contribute to the financial resilience and recovery of disaster-affected communities, such as farmers/fisherfolk, micro/small-scale entrepreneurs, homeowners? Private sector involvement is critical for disaster risk, especially in the insurance sector. The participation of the private insurance sector can be promoted in two ways: Photo Credit: © NguyenQuocThang/Shutterstock (i) By using insurance as an instrument to strengthen the fiscal resilience of local governments to disasters triggered by natural hazards, including the protection and rehabilitation of public and private infrastructure, restoration of It is also worth noting that ADB set up the Asian Tsunami livelihoods in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, and local economic recovery, Fund in 2005, the first of its kind for any international there will be more opportunities for the financial institution with all grant resources. private insurance sector. Establishing national and subnational government insurance schemes provides the local private insurance sector and institutional What approaches or strategies can build-back-better principles. ADB’s CDF investors an opportunity to develop and increase the capacity of national and fulfills the dual objectives of supporting participate in innovative insurance and local governments in Southeast Asia fundamental disaster risk reduction and reinsurance products to respond to to meet immediate post-disaster health reforms and providing quick- disasters e.g. indemnity insurance, and long-term reconstruction disbursing financing for disaster and parametric insurance, insurance- funding needs? pandemic preparedness and response. linked securities and other capital Disaster risks cannot be completely markets instruments. eliminated. However, there are several Another layer is risk transfer which consists layers to mitigating disaster risk through of insurance and insurance-linked securities (ii) A key priority of many ASEAN financing solutions, depending on the such as catastrophe bonds. An example is governments is to promote private severity of impact and frequency of the ADB-supported proposed innovative insurance for low-income households, the hazard events. Understanding city parametric disaster insurance scheme and agriculture and fishery micro, small the “risk layering” approach to disaster (initially designed as a pool) which and medium-sized enterprises—which risk financing helps governments to will provide parametric insurance are particularly vulnerable to slow- determine or develop their national to Philippine cities for typhoon and onset disasters like droughts. This is an disaster risk financing strategies; it also earthquake cover. The Philippines area that ADB is keen to support and helps development partners to strengthen has also recently issued catastrophe link to microinsurance and financial their support to governments in addressing bonds. Insurance is a useful instrument for inclusion reforms under our policy- disaster risk. financing reconstruction and rehabilitation, based programs and potentially enabling governments to access rapid lead to investment projects. One layer is risk retention. Instruments post-disaster liquidity and spread the in this layer address medium frequency costs of recovery and reconstruction What are the barriers to disaster risk and medium severity events, for example, over time. Provision of post-disaster financing? What have been the ADB’s contingent disaster financing (CDF), financing provides opportunities challenges and lessons learned over the World Bank’s development policy loan to build back better and enhance past two decades, due to the onset of facility with a catastrophe deferred resilience to future hazard events large-scale disasters in the ASEAN drawdown option and JICA’s Post- and emergencies. Public infrastructure region, like the Aceh tsunami, super Disaster Stand-by Loan, as well as replacement costs are likely to increase typhoon Haiyan and Palu earthquake? emergency assistance loans for with climate change, thereby causing A major barrier to effective disaster risk immediate needs and for long-term additional burden on public expenditure financing in the ASEAN region is the lack rehabilitation and reconstruction using at national and subnational levels. of diversification of support through the

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 25

implementation of broad country risk How does ADB’s Strategy 2030 intersect Strategy 2030 focuses on tackling financing frameworks where various with the disaster riskcape agenda of climate change, building climate instruments complement one another. ASEAN and in what ways can ADB and disaster resilience, and enhancing Further, coordination and capacity support ASEAN’s priorities and needs? environmental sustainability. The fourth constraints that are likely to delay As the disaster risk landscape or “riskscape” operational priority is making cities more intergovernmental fiscal transfers during in the ASEAN region becomes increasingly livable; in particular, ADB will help cities an emergency should be addressed; complex, disaster risk reduction needs to explore new and expand existing sources policy reforms should focus on enhancing be strengthened to address extremities. of funding, enhance inclusive and long-term resilience to natural hazards and Recent natural hazards in Southeast participatory urban planning, and pandemics to reduce their social, health, Asia have comprised droughts, flash integrate climate resilience and and economic impact; and policy-based floods, and seismic disasters, with disaster risk management considerations operations for disaster support should agricultural droughts resulting into urban planning processes. In line with focus on sectors where investment loans in large economic losses and low these operational priorities, ADB can are provided and ADB has experience, levels of socioeconomic development support ASEAN countries to develop to ensure that constraints are addressed and having the highest economic impact new technologies which incorporate by relevant policy reforms. A key lesson within Southeast Asia than across the disaster risk and early warning learned from ADB’s disaster-related support entire Asia-Pacific region. information from past, present for the aforementioned disasters is that and future timescales into decision- effective post-disaster infrastructure ADB’s Strategy 2030 has several making. Finally, ADB will continue to reconstruction requires careful assessment, operational priorities that support support the strengthening of regional planning, and preparation if the needs and ASEAN’s agenda in addressing this cooperation to address shared priorities of reconstruction are to be increasingly complex disaster riskscape. vulnerabilities across Southeast properly addressed. The third operational priority of ADB’s Asian countries. Photo Credit: © Frans Delian/Shutterstock

On 26 December 2004, Indonesia: 165,708 dead, 532,898 people a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck affected, 4.4 billion US dollars in damages off the coast of Sumatra island in Indonesia. It generated a massive Thailand: 8,345 dead, 8,457 injured, 67,007 tsunami that reached as far as affected, 1 billion US dollars in damages South Africa. Almost 230,000 people were killed. Malaysia: 80 dead, 767 injured, 4,296 homeless, 5,063 people affected, 500 million US dollars Since then, governments in damages and aid organisations have prioritised disaster risk Myanmar: 71 dead, 12,500 injured, 3,200 reduction and preparedness. homeless, 15,700 people affected, 500 million US dollars in damages

Source: Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Université Catholique de Louvain 26 The Inside View Disaster Management

ASEAN TRAINING CENTRE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS: SOCIAL PROTECTION AND SOCIAL RESILIENCE IN DISASTER SITUATIONS

ANOTHAI UDOMSILP The ASEAN region is by no means safe EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASEAN TRAINING CENTRE from natural disasters. According to recent FOR SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE statistics, seven out of 10 ASEAN Member States are ranked globally as being highly or even very highly exposed to natural disasters. Countries around the globe face various types of Member States experience different catastrophic disasters. Tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, types of natural disasters at different earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, typhoons, floods, scales and frequency. Thus, it follows drought, and other climate change-related hazards that they have different levels of knowledge and understanding are among the most common natural disasters. about specific disasters. Thailand, Their intensity and unpredictability have resulted for example, did not have much NACAR/Shutterstock Photo Credit: © RAMAZAN in great loss of lives and damages to property experience about tsunamis until giant waves from the Indian Ocean and infrastructure. earthquake and tsunami first hit the Andaman Coast in the southern part of the country in December 2004. It was only after the tragedy occurred that the Thai public began to realise the terrifying

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 27 Photo Credit: © spotters_studio/Shutterstock

devastation that tsunamis could cause and disaster risk management, and workers with the necessary skills to help and started learning how to protect elaborate on how social protection people in emergency situations. themselves against a tsunami event. programmes and systems contribute to disaster response. These are precisely Apart from the above proposed courses, Realising that natural disasters are the kind of knowledge that social work ATCSW is designing another curricula that borderless and can devastate multiple practitioners must possess. will include courses such as global social countries at the same time, ASEAN work and social welfare and human trafficking, Member States have come up with To enhance the understanding of as well as online training course on protection a number of mutually agreed policies, ASEAN social workers on disaster- of children in the context of migration. joint measures, and collective efforts responsive social protection, as well It is our strong belief that such curricula to protect the people and reduce as the post-disaster social resilience, will help enhance the efficacy of social the disaster losses of the region the newly established ASEAN Training work practitioners as a whole. as a whole. Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW), located in Thailand, is now in the The ATCSW expects to commence its training As a result of the ASEAN Agreement on process of formulating relevant technical courses, both on-site and online, in 2021. Disaster Management and Emergency and training curricula. The planned courses Response, or AADMER, the ASEAN cover the subject areas of disaster risk To complete the curriculum design process, Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian reduction, social protection, and assistance the ATCSW looks forward to receiving inputs, Assistance on disaster management, to disaster victims. As the centre attaches recommendations, and suggestions from all known as AHA Centre, was established. importance to the up-skill training courses on experts, academia, stakeholders, partners, as well as readers of The ASEAN magazine. Most recently, in October 2020, the information and communication, it intends association launched the ASEAN Guidelines to offer such courses as social workers The ATCSW can be contacted by email on Disaster Responsive Social Protection as citizen media, and communication at [email protected]. to Increase Resilience. and information cooperation with All contributions are most welcome. mainstream media organisations ATCSW is located at Happiness Social City In essence, the guidelines demonstrate and online media content providers. in Bang Lamung, Chonburi Province, in the the linkages between social protection All these courses will equip social Eastern region about 130 km. from Bangkok. 28 than boys andpost-disasters. during are more likelyto drop outofschools disrupttheireducation. Girls often create adoubleburden for girls and labor andwater collecting. These inagriculturalThailand to participate Central Timor, andNorthern inIndonesia, require girls andyoung women inNorth scarcity andprevailing societalnorms Plan International found that water education disruption,andundernutrition. child marriage, gender-based violence, girls, through like practices harmful take theirtoll onchildren, particularly Evidence alsoshows that theseshocks SOUTHEASTIN ASIA ADAPTATIONCHANGE CLIMATE CHILD-CENTRED SAFE SCHOOLS AND Inside View The diseases, andintensifiescyclonesfloods. sea-level rise,drought,foodinsecurity,andinfectious 2020. Climatechangecausesslowonseteffects,suchas 1999 to2018,accordingtheGlobalClimateRiskIndex affected byimpactsofclimate-relatedlosseventsfrom Four ASEAN countriesareamongthetop10most RENAR BERANDI Disaster Management PLAN INTERNATIONALPLAN ASIA-PACIFIC VANDA LENGKONG multi-risk education,multi-risk thepromotion human rights. The approach includes and stresses whilefulfillingtheir tothe community overcome shocks to develop ofchildren thecapacity and work onseveral frontsand partnership change adaptation (4CA) programming safe schoolandchild-centred climate strengthening resilience. community Its the root and causesofgender inequality its focus to protect girls’ rightsby addressing to resources. Plan Internationalstandson pandemic, conflicts, anddifferential access withpoverty,and intertwined thecurrent ofdisastersThe are impacts complex NGHIA TRINHTRONG

to studentsofSan Is,Samar,Philippines Girls demonstratebasicfirstaid techniques Safety, andcreate platform. aknowledge ASEAN Common Framework onSchool coordination committee, develop the to setuparegional cross-sectoral and Disaster authorities Management ASEANEducation supports 2016-2020. It the ASEAN Work PlanonEducation Response WorkProgramme and Disaster Management andEmergency intheASEANAgreementprioritised on ASEAN Safe Initiative (ASSI) Schools theimplementation ofthe that supports Plan InternationalinAsia leadsaconsortium Climate ChangePolicy Implementation Governments and intheirSafe School Collaboration andSupporting In ASEANandBeyond: Fostering government policies. green life andaccountable skills, of girls’ leadership, youth activism, Samar province in the Philippines, Plan Samar province inthePhilippines, Plan theflood- andtropicalIn storm-prone andCommunitiesin Schools Climate andDisaster Risks and Boys to Reduce andPrevent At itsCore: Working withGirls regional, andgloballevels. makers interact withtheyouth at national, used isaregular conference where decision- in governments’ policies. Oneoftheplatforms andboys—arethe youth—girls incorporated briefs to ensure policy that theaspirations of anddevelopexchange technical expertise thesenetworks, stakeholdergroupsIn Children inChanging Climate Coalition. and Resilience intheEducation Sector, Global Alliance Reduction onDisaster Risk Asia Pacific Coalition School Safety,for the ASSI contributes to widercoalitions like the of thesafe schoolprojects. development andimplementationpolicy inthePhilippines, for Service Management and Cambodia, Reduction Disaster Risk Disaster Secretariat Management in Schools, Thailand Safety Network, School Indonesia’s National Secretariat for Safe platform ineight countries, including with governments through acoordinating At thenational level, engages theconsortium The ASEAN October 2020

Photo Credit: © Plan International Philippines The Inside View Disaster Management 29

activism and advocates governments to adopt a gender and inclusive lens in their disaster risk reduction and climate change EDUCATION SECTOR action policies and implementation. POLICIES AND PLANS Ways Forward for a Resilient Region that is Gender-Transformative PILLAR 1 SAFE LEARNING Adhering to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Multi-hazard FACILITIES Community Blueprint, which envisions to risk assessment Safe site selection Education sector analysis Building codes move the region towards an inclusive and Child-centred assessment Performance standards resilient community, Plan International and planning Disaster resilient design recommends the following to be prioritised Builder training Construction by the ASEAN Member States: supervision Allocate funding to invest in girls’ and Building Remodelling Structural boys’ resilience in informing, influencing, maintenance Retrofit safety education Non-structural Construction leading, and monitoring decision-making mitigation as educational on climate action and disaster Fire safety opportunity risk reduction; Integrate disaster risk reduction and PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 climate change action curriculum into SCHOOL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION the education system, supported by MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE Assessment and planning EDUCATION comprehensive data on different risks Physical and environmental Formal curriculum and ensure all data are collected and protection integrations and infusion presented by sex, age and disability; Response skills and provisions Household Teacher training and Representative/participatory disaster plan staff education As multiple risks affect the region, SDM committee Family Consensus-based build multidimensional and multi- Educational continuity plan key messages reunification stakeholder alliances to avoid the Standard operating plan Extracurricular procedures School drills and community-based escalation of harmful gender norms Contingency planning informal education in times of crisis while ensuring the equitable and continuous access to ALIGNED TO NATIONAL, SUBNATIONAL, AND LOCAL essential services for girls and boys; DISASTERS MANAGEMENT PLANS In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, encourage girls’ and young women’s meaningful participation in decision- International works with girls and boys to rainwater harvesting; coastal greening’ making processes and recognise that conduct the Student-led School Watching water-based planting; seawater distillation; outbreaks, quarantines, and isolation and Hazard Mapping (SWERT) programme, child-centred advocacy to allocate funds affect girls and boys, women and in accordance with Department of Education for village level-climate change action men differently. regulations to improve students’ level of programming in Lembata; and integration awareness of the potential hazards of climate of climate change action curriculum into Plan International is an independent change and disaster risks, and how to formal and non-formal education. development and humanitarian address them. It includes life-saving organisation that advances children’s capacity and gender-transformative For 4CA and safe school programming, rights and equality for girls. We strive approach training and provides equal Plan International has operated in seven for a just world, working together with opportunity for girls and boys to join SWERT. countries in the Southeast Asia region children, young people, supporters and partners. Using our reach, experience This initiative challenges the male-dominated (including Timor Leste), in partnership and knowledge, we drive change in sector of hazard mapping and promotes with donor agencies, authorities, local practice and policy at local, national girls’ leadership in an emergency context. communities, and schools. It is anchored and global levels. We are independent The youth also engage with their barangay in educating girls, young women, and boys of governments, religions and political parties. For more than 80 years, or village councils and share activities in their in most-at-risk communities, strengthening we have been building powerful schools that can be replicated by their their capacity and holding accountable the partnerships for children and are respective barangay youth councils. society and duty bearers. It promotes youth active in more than 75 countries.

In the Lembata and North Central Timor regencies of East Nusa Tenggara province More information about the ASSI is available in Indonesia, the 4CA programme resulted on www.aseansafeschoolsinitiative.org Download Because We Matter from: in girls and boys leading these projects: Link 1 Link 2 (https://aseansafeschoolsinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PI_STC_BecauseWeMatterPolicyBrief-FINAL.pdf) installation of water dripping irrigation; 30 The Inside View Disaster Management

INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS AS BOTH TARGETS AND AGENTS OF HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

ASEAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION To fill this knowledge gap, the ASEAN ON HUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) commissioned a thematic study entitled “Women in Natural Disasters: Women are disproportionately affected by Indicative Findings in Unravelling Gender in Institutional Responses.” The study sought natural disasters. This statement is as irrefutable to examine the integration of a gender as it is disquieting. approach and the protection of women’s rights in ASEAN’s regional disaster strategic and institutional responses. Consider this: in some disaster-prone the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration: communities, boys are taught to swim at the right to an adequate standard of living, Guided by an institutionalist perspective, the an early age, while girls are not (IUCN Fact including food, water and sanitation, health, study examined institutional instruments Sheet on Disaster and Gender Statistics, housing; the right to social security; the (i.e. laws, regulatory framework, and action 2009). Without this life-saving skill, girls right to development; and women’s rights. plan) and infrastructures (i.e. management can be left defenseless and at serious risk structure and capacity at all levels) that from disasters like flooding. This is just one The destruction of people’s physical assets respond to natural disasters and emergencies. example, but it speaks of a larger issue of and means of livelihood due to natural The study also included country specific gender exclusion that can put women in hazards, coupled with the adverse effects reviews and fieldwork conducted in all harm’s way. We believe that addressing of these hazards on institutions and systems ASEAN Member States. As a result, it provided gender exclusion, among other factors, critical to the delivery of basic rights such an evidence-based and insightful analysis will not only benefit women, but also as shelters, schools, hospitals, and roads of a diverse landscape of policies and society at large. to name a few, contribute to the decline practices on the perceived role of women, of the standards of living of vulnerable their participation, and the protection of Gender is inextricably linked to populations, including women and children. their rights in situations of natural disasters. disaster preparedness and response. Women carry out community The study highlighted efforts by disaster preparedness initiatives Member States to mainstream because, more often than not, gender in natural disaster they tend to be at home when institutional infrastructure disaster strikes. Calamities expand For women to have meaningful and mechanisms—with some women’s domestic care roles. countries fairly more advanced Women and children make up participation in disaster in their efforts than others. most of those internally displaced preparedness and response, by natural disasters, which leave The pattern of state-level them vulnerable to different forms countries should create spaces responses to women’s concerns of exploitation and violence. And for their inclusion in decision- in periods of natural disasters following a disaster, the burden reflects how individual states of reconstruction and healing making and recognise their perceive women. On one hand, typically falls on women’s shoulders. potential as community leaders. women are seen as either a vulnerable segment of the Despite this, women are rarely population or agents of change, included or represented in disaster or a combination of both. On the policy formulation, implementation, As ASEAN moves towards a region-wide other hand, they are viewed in the same way and evaluation. response to natural disasters, understanding as the rest of the population, with states not the state of institutional interactions recognising women’s different needs or Across ASEAN, natural disasters and between gender and natural disaster capacities. These perceptions feed into and extreme weather events have directly responses and its possible impacts on affect the strategic, tactical, and operational and indirectly curtailed a broad range human rights deserve more attention governance of natural disaster response of human rights recognised in in the regional discourse. initiatives at the planning and implementation

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 31

used is emergency/crisis response, in climate change, and/or national security connection with national security. depends on the following: (a) the maturity of gender mainstreaming in the whole All Member States have established governance architecture; (b) the extent disaster management institutional to which gender is recognised as an issue; infrastructures, as embodied by national and (c) the discursive construction of bodies for disaster coordination and women in these societies. Accordingly, Mainstreaming gender response. Natural disaster infrastructure the propensity to apply women’s human in natural disaster responses and mechanisms follow the governance rights in difficult circumstances also architecture of each of the countries. depends on the synergy between At the strategic level, all Member gender and disaster response. Mainstreaming gender in the natural States recognise the importance disaster’s emergency preparedness and of community implementation. Furthermore, appreciation for women’s response architecture essentially means: participation varies. At its most basic, Several countries, such as Brunei women participate as information providers being conscious of gender-sensitive Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, to vulnerability assessment and post-disaster initiatives in the various stages of Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and needs audit, and as information recipients humanitarian assistance—early relief, Viet Nam, have national laws specific to of disaster/emergency preparedness. protection, recovery, and rehabilitation natural disasters. Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nevertheless, at a substantive level, they Myanmar, and Singapore have specific are recognised and are asked to contribute taking stock of gender-specific needs policy directives on natural disasters. Brunei more meaningfully in the strategic, tactical, and concerns of the affected population Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and operational stages of response and Thailand have their natural disaster mechanisms—preparedness, early applying the gender lens in national/strategic action plans. relief, recovery, and rehabilitation. vulnerability assessments, emergency preparedness programs, and post- In terms of mainstreaming gender in laws, Women’s specific concerns, such as disaster/emergency reconstruction policies, institutions, and practices, the sexual and gender-based violence, programmes and initiatives. following are some of the salient findings: violence against women and girls, women’s economic and political Integrating the gender approach into the empowerment, are difficult to bring meta-frames of sustainable development, to the surface, discuss, and view as a levels. Ultimately, they impact the state’s capacity to guarantee, promote, and protect Recommendations for regional actions: women’s human rights before, during, and after natural disasters. On gender mainstreaming On women’s participation and protection of rights 1. Operationalise commitments set forth in ASEAN 1. Develop an ASEAN inter-governmental program The study also documented best practices instruments on Disaster Management and on the leadership and empowerment of women in gender mainstreaming in natural disaster Emergency Response, Enhancement of Welfare relevant to natural disaster and emergency/crisis and Development of ASEAN Women and Children, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. responses, particularly those that provide the Vientiane Declaration on Enhancing Gender spaces for women’s participation. It discussed Perspective by drafting an ASEAN Resolution at 2. Develop a regional quick response mechanism to how women’s human rights can be further the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for the integration assist natural disaster-affected ASEAN Member of the gender approach in disaster risk reduction, States in efforts to provide gender and culturally promoted and protected during natural climate change adaptation, sustainable sensitive early relief initiatives. disaster situations. development, and national security frameworks.

2. Call for cooperation between ASEAN human rights 3. Establish a gender-balanced and gender sensitive The study’s key findings on institutional bodies— namely, the ASEAN Inter-governmental regional quick response team composed of trained infrastructure and mechanisms are as follows: Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the humanitarian personnel, medics, engineers, ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and midwives, among others. Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)— and relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies Framing institutional and governance 4. Establish a network of experts on gender equality, such as the ASEAN Committee on Disaster responses to natural disasters depends climate change and disaster response; also Management (ACDM) and the ASEAN establish an inter-sectoral body called the on its impact upon societal systems. Coordinating Centre on Humanitarian Assistance Regional Technical Working Group on Women in on disaster management (AHA Centre) to create a For example, when heavily affecting the Natural Disasters to develop evidence-informed Regional Technical Working Group on Women in policies to respond to the different facets of economy, the frame employed is related Natural Disasters as well as draft a Regional Action women’s human rights in the context of natural to sustainable development or climate Plan on Women in Natural Disasters. disasters and emergencies/crisis situations. change adaptation, and the focus is on building the resilience of the most basic 5. Develop an ASEAN inter-governmental program unit of its society, more akin to self-help. on the leadership and empowerment of women relevant to natural disaster and emergency/crisis On the other hand, when there are little preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. or no risks of natural disasters, the frame 32 The Inside View Disaster Management

Recommendations for actions at the national in the planning and implementation level/to ASEAN Member States processes should be given particular attention. The strategic imperatives are On gender mainstreaming On women’s participation and protection of rights a matter of institutional commitment, and 1. Encourage ASEAN Member States to apply the 1. Guarantee the substantive and inclusive participation concretising these imperatives at the local Convention on the Elimination of all forms of of women and girls in the drafting and/or level is also of paramount importance. Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in the implementation of laws, policies, and/or strategic harmonisation of the framing of natural disaster plans on disaster risk reduction and management. and emergency/ crisis preparedness For women to have meaningful 2. Institutionalise the participation and leadership participation in disaster preparedness of community women in all phases of natural and response, countries should create disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation by involving them in the planning, spaces for their inclusion in decision-making 2. Strengthen their practice of gender mainstreaming programming, early warning and early relief, and in their respective institutional infrastructure and and recognise their potential as community post-disaster initiatives. mechanisms on disaster risk reduction leaders. The traditional societal roles of

3. Target the increase of women’s involvement as women need not limit them to subordinate decision-makers, trainers, and first responders positions, as they can draw from these roles in the natural disaster and emergency/crisis and experiences to lead in the provision 3. Ensure the development of guidelines and institutional architecture. checklists on natural disaster and emergency/ of early relief, recovery, and rehabilitation crisis preparedness, response, recovery, and from natural disasters. rehabilitation with gender components for 4. Draft and/or implement laws, policies, and/ the use of practitioners. or strategic national plans specific to the protection of women and girls during The study’s findings also shed light on natural disaster situations. particular patterns of practice at the ground level which can inform the design of natural 4. Develop and/or strengthen gender-sensitive and 5. Conduct exchange/learning activities and cooperative gender-inclusive training programs on natural capacity development trainings to prevent sexual and disaster and emergency/crisis institutional disaster and emergency/crisis preparedness, gender based violence (SGBV) and violence against governance. These pertain to women’s response, recovery, and rehabilitation across women and girls (VAWG) in the context of natural the institutional infrastructure, different levels disasters and other humanitarian emergency contribution to early warning and prevention, of implementation, and catering to both civilian situations. Exchange/learning activities should also the intersection of gender and culture and military responders to disaster situations. include gender-sensitivity training for military forces in disaster relief and response, gender as first responders in disaster situations that may be conducted by civil society, humanitarian assistance dimensions of migration, and women’s groups, and/or experts on disaster-related SGBV access to resources in post-disaster and VAWG. situations, to name a few.

6. Practice gender-disaggregated data collection The study concluded with key for populations affected by natural disasters. recommendations aimed at improving gender mainstreaming, 7. Apply gender analysis in the conduct of women’s participation, and rights vulnerability and post-disaster assessments, as well as in contingency planning for emergency protection in institutional responses preparedness and response. to natural disaster. At the regional level, there is a need to consolidate the gains from and collectively strengthen institutional infrastructure and mechanisms on gender matter of concern in natural disaster According to women in communities and natural disasters in all Member States. and emergency/crisis institutional and non-government actors in different Towards this, the study proposed mapping infrastructure and mechanisms. countries, the study echoes their suggestion out a general framework on women in to mainstream gender, not just by reflecting natural disasters in the region as a possible Only two ASEAN Member States, namely, it in the strategic and operational plans, initiative. A draft text for an ASEAN Cambodia and Indonesia, have explicitly but more so, by actually implementing Regional Action Plan on Women in Natural combined gender in their policy directive it on the ground. Disaster Contexts should be explored to and/or national plans. The efforts of each serve as a regional policy guide. If this ASEAN Member State on mainstreaming As all ASEAN Member States recognise regional action plan on women in natural gender in their natural disaster institutional the importance of community-level disasters is adopted, it will be strategic since architecture and instruments may participation in natural disaster response ASEAN will be the first regional organisation be categorised into “incipient efforts” and preparedness, the inclusion of women in the world to pioneer this initiative. (where mainstreaming is recognised but not yet institutionalised at the strategic level), followed by “modest efforts,” then “moderate efforts” and “strong efforts” The AICHR thematic study is available for download at the following link https://aichr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Adopted_AICHR_Thematic_Study_Women_in_Natural_ (where gender mainstreaming is evident Disasters_26012018.pdf. at both strategic and operational levels).

The ASEAN October 2020 The Inside View Disaster Management 33

MAJOR DISASTERS, 2006-2020

2008 2010 2012 2014

Thailand: 10 million Thailand: 6.48 million Thailand: 12 million Malaysia: 2.2 million people affected people affected people affected people affected

Drought 2019 2016 2015

Viet Nam: 685,558 Cambodia: 2.5 million Viet Nam: 1.75 million people affected people affected people effected Photo Credit: © Piyaset, neenawat khenyothaa/Shutterstock Source: Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Université Catholique de Louvain

2010 2011 2013 2014

Riverine flood, Thailand: Floods in Cambodia, Lao Flash flood, Lao PDR: Flash flood, Cambodia: 8.9 million people affected, PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, 350,000 people affected 472,500 people affected, 258 dead Philippines, Thailand, 45 dead, 57,950 homeless Viet Nam: 3,000 dead, millions affected

Floods 2017 2016 2016 2015

Flood, Philippines: Riverine flood, Viet Nam: Flash flood, Myanmar: Riverine flood, Myanmar: 1.5 million people affected, 659,615 people affected, 852,227 people affected, 1.6 million people affected, 9 dead 35 dead 19 dead 149 dead

2017 2018 2019

Riverine flood, Thailand: Flood, Myanmar: Flash flood, Indonesia: 1.8 million people affected, 109,650 people affected, 501,110 people affected, 96 dead 16 dead 66 dead, 110 injured

Sources: Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Université Catholique de Louvain; AHA Centre 34 The Inside View Disaster Management

2010 2011 2011 2012

Typhoon Conson (Basyang) Tropical Storms Tropical Storm Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) Philippines: 585,383 Haima and Nok Ten Washi (Sendong) Philippines: 6.2 million people affected, 146 dead, Lao PDR: 429,954 people Philippines: 1.1 million people affected, 91 injured affected people affected, 1,439 1,900 dead Viet Nam: 1,500 people dead, 6,071 injured affected, 11 dead Typhoons 2016 2015 2014 2013

Tropical storm Aere Typhoon Koppu (Lando) Typhoon Super Typhoon Viet Nam: 610,000 people Philippines: 2.9 million Rammasun (Glenda) Haiyan (Yolanda) affected, 34 dead people affected, 51 dead, Philippines: 4.65 million Philippines: 16 million 83 injured people affected, 111 dead, people affected, 7,354 1,250 injured dead, 28,689 injured Viet Nam: 900,000 people affected

2017 2017 2018 2019

Tropical Storm Typhoon Damrey Super Typhoon Typhoon Kammuri (Tisoy) Kai-Tak (Urduja) Viet Nam: 4.3 million Mangkut (Ompong) Philippines: 2.6 million Philippines: 1.86 million people affected, 123 dead Philippines: 3.8 million people affected, 4 dead, people affected, 91 dead, people affected, 84 dead, 318 injured, 342,165 78 injured 138 injured people homeles

2020 2020 2020

Typhoon Goni (Rolly) Typhoon Molave (Quinta) Tropical Storms Linfa, Philippines: 1.47 million Philippines: 775,513 Saudel, and Nangka Sources: Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), affected, 11 dead, affected, 22 dead, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, 2 injured 39 injured Viet Nam: 1,13 million Université Catholique de Louvain; AHA Centre; National Viet Nam: 38 dead, people affected, 138 dead, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippines 132 injured 24 missing

2006 2009 2012 2016

Magnitude Magnitude Magnitude Magnitude 6.4 earthquake, 7.6 earthquake, 6.7 earthquake, Negros 7.0 earthquake, Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Padang, Indonesia: Oriental, Philippines: Sumatra, Indonesia: 5,778 dead, 137,883 1,195 dead, 1,798 injured, 113 dead, 6,000 houses 104 dead, 857 injured, injured, 699,295 people 2.5 million people damaged, 320,165 people 85,161 people homeless, 500 million US affected, 2.2 billion affected, 8.9 million affected, 100 million Earthquakes dollars in damages US dollars in damages US dollars in damages US dollars in damages

and Tsunamis 2018 2018

Magnitude Magnitude 7.0 earthquake, 7.5 earthquake and Lombok, Indonesia: tsunami, Central

564 dead, 1,584 injured, Sulawesi, Indonesia: Photo Credit: © Dhoni Setiawan; ymphotos/Shutterstock 70,000 homeless, 445,343 4,340 dead, 2,531 Source: Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), Centre for Research people affected, 70 million injured, 206,494 people on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Université Catholique de Louvain US dollars in damages affected, 1.4 billion US dollars in damages

The ASEAN October 2020 Conversations 35 Conversations DISASTERS THROUGH THE LENS Armed with nothing but lenses, photojournalists foray into the unknown to capture and show the world scenes of wreckage, and also human misery, hope, compassion, and resilience. During natural disasters, photography can be a way to provide a sense of scale, while humanising the disasters. Photo Credit: © Dhoni Setiawan

Dhoni Setiawan, a photojournalist with Indonesia’s newspaper Setiawan considered himself lucky to meet a local resident The Jakarta Post, has covered the aftermath of natural disasters at the airport—the only place where electricity was available— in Indonesia, including the 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Central who offered him a place to stay and a ride to go around to Sulawesi and triggered a tsunami and soil liquefaction on 28 search for photos. September 2018. Setiawan stayed in the area for two weeks. “When covering disasters, we must think of the timing, so the In return, as he knew the access to get logistics supply, he tried photos are up-to-date. For example, I take photos of the damage his best to help the affected residents living in the same area on day one, of evacuation, scarcity, disaster relief efforts, and by distributing staple food. shelters condition for the next days,” he said.

“But I also find unexpected moments that are worth capturing like when I got a ride on a plane and took the aerial stills of the Search and rescue teams look for survivors under the rubble blackouts in Palu.” in Balaroa village, Palu City. Moments after the strong quake, houses and people in the area were swallowed With a helicopter, the Indonesian to the ground because Red Cross (PMI) arrives in Donggala of soil liquefaction. regency to distribute food for the affected residents.

“I took this picture from a casa plane on the first day I arrived in Palu. Lights were completely out in Palu; you can only see lights from the passing vehicles. I could not find direct flight from Jakarta to Palu, so I flew to Mamuju, West Sulawesi, People wave to a departing military chopper first. I was lucky as I managed to after dropping off logistical support in Donggala. get a plane ride to Palu, otherwise Access to some areas in Palu and Donggala was it would take hours by car.” cut off, delaying the delivery of aid. 36 Conversations

Dr. Rangi W. Sudrajat Humanitarian Aid Worker

Rangi Sudrajat dreamed of being a humanitarian worker since she was a young girl. She decided to pursue a path of helping the less fortunate, after watching the news about refugees affected by the Kosovo war.

Sudrajat pursued a medical degree They also joked that they would name at Trisakti University in Jakarta, and in the first baby born in the delivery room 2015 joined Médecins Sans Frontières after me. It was exciting to know that the (MSF) to realise her dream. puskesmas became a networking place or an information centre for local people and The 31-year-old doctor has been other humanitarian workers. deployed to several refugee camps in Pakistan, Yemen, South Sudan, “I felt a special connection with Palu. and Bangladesh. Sudrajat was also It’s not that I didn’t feel any connection one of many medical workers on with my other missions, but when it comes the ground, treating victims of the to the place you grew up in and the people earthquake in Palu, Central Sulawesi you grew up with, the sadness you feel province, in September 2018 and becomes worse, but you feel much happier the tsunami in Banten province too when you succeed at something. I felt in December 2018. scared too in Palu, of course. After I moved from a tent to a hotel room, I sprinted out “Palu earthquake was my first mission of my room when there was an aftershock, in Indonesia. My MSF team and I were but I got used to it after a while.

assigned by the local health agency Photo Credit: ©Rangi W. Sudrajat; Sri Harjanti Wahyuningsih/MSF to help in Sigi regency and worked with “I was also anxious when I was deployed for a puskemas (community health centre) other missions. Yemen was the scariest for there, but I stayed in Palu City. Normally, me because there was an active war there. it takes 45 minutes from Palu to Sigi, But MSF is good at ensuring the safety of but it took us two hours at that time their people because if we’re not safe, how because the road was damaged. Top can we help other people? I’ve also faced Rangi Sudrajat rides a motorcycle to reach many challenges on my missions. But I “I came nine days after the earthquake, areas that are otherwise inaccessible in the manage to keep myself safe with the limited but when I arrived in Baluase district of Sigi, aftermath of Banten tsunami in 2019 facilities that I have. I appreciate small there were still many people who needed luxuries that I have during my missions, treatment. With a mobile clinic, we looked Bottom like taking a shower with liquid soap, or for those who needed medical assistance. Rangi Sudrajat attends to a patient during even applying mosquitos repellent. Of the total 13 villages in Baluase, I only her Central Sulawesi earthquake mission managed to visit two or three villages in a “At first, my family said that I should day due to the difficult terrain. I met people just pursue a career in Indonesia, but with an open wound and had not been stitched, or someone with they finally supported me because they knew it’s something a bone fracture but not yet referred to any hospital, and other kinds I’m very passionate about. After five years, there was a time of injury that had not been followed up due to the difficult access. when I wanted to quit so I would not have to leave my family But they were very patient; many of them even had started to rebuild for almost a whole year. But I haven’t found something else that their houses two to three days after the disaster. I think that’s the I can do with this much passion. And to be honest, I think I’m characteristic of people in such a situation—they’re resilient. quite good at this job. It’s interesting to see the world from a different perspective. Sometimes I’m wondering which one is “We also helped construct a temporary puskemas in Baluase since the real world, my life here in Bekasi or there with the refugees. the original one was destroyed. I drew the blueprint of the puskesmas; This whole thing is an eye-opening experience.” where the location of the rooms would be, the delivery room, the pharmacy, etc. I could not stay throughout the whole construction Interviewed by Novia D. Rulistia. This conversation has been process, but my friends showed me photos when it was completed. edited and condensed for clarity.

The ASEAN October 2020 Conversations 37

Rowel Balais Super Typhoon Haiyan Survivor

When Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) struck the Philippines on 7 November 2013, Rowel Balais and his family hunkered down in their home in the town of Palo, Leyte province. Along with Tacloban city, it was one of the hardest hit areas by the deadly typhoon. Haiyan affected 16 million people and killed over 7,000.

The 55-year-old driver still lives in hungry and looting stores and Leyte, where he says people are still warehouses. I saw that but I also rebuilding their lives but are better witnessed how people came and helped prepared for other storms to come. each other out. Shop owners were giving away their stock of canned goods and “We are used to typhoons because food. I was able to work with groups we have them every year. We had never that came in to help in the relief efforts.

Photo Credit: ©Rowel Balais experienced anything like Yolanda. My Later, I helped distribute donated wife and kids stayed with my in-laws that supplies to people too. day, so if anything happened, we would all be together. We live in the center of “People here always say we are used town in Palo, Leyte. The winds were to typhoons. We don’t need to evacuate howling so loudly. Roofs were rattling. because we need to guard our homes It sounded like gunfire, like there and livestock. When Yolanda was coming, was a war. local officials asked residents along the coast to evacuate but many refused “I didn’t realise how bad it was until to do so. Locals didn’t know what the afternoon, when we got out of the a storm surge meant because they house. We saw people retrieving bodies. used the term “tidal wave”. They didn’t We heard them say, “whole families understand that a storm surge can be perished.” Bodies started to pile up dangerous. I think they need to and there was no place for them to be forced to evacuate. It has be buried. Many of the dead were buried to be a forced evacuation. in shallow graves, near the Palo cathedral. People were walking around looking “Now, people are prepared and each dazed, looking for food and water. town has an evacuation plan and Supplies came in about seven days designated shelters. Before a typhoon after the typhoon but we had to ration comes, we stock up on food, put our it. We let the children and elderly eat Top and Bottom clothes in plastic bags. Especially and drink first. Rowel Balais with his wife with the pandemic, local health and three children centers and barangay (village) “There are so many stories to tell. My officials are ready to launch best friend, who lived in Tacloban, lost evacuation plans. I think people his entire family. Tacloban and Palo were the hardest hit by Yolanda. need to be given the proper training and information. How He worked as a barker outside the airport and he still works there much rice do you need to survive for how many days? now but he’s alone. Instructions like that.

“I have a taxi and thankfully, it wasn’t damaged by the “It took about four to five years for us to recover from Yolanda. typhoon, so I could still work after it passed. I was hired There were houses built for those who lost homes that are inhabitable. by an international NGO and I drove doctors around To be fair, there are many houses that people now live in.” Leyte while they did their work. Days after the typhoon, that’s when I saw more of the destruction. Food and Interviewed by Mary Kathleen Quiano-Castro. This conversation water were running out, so people started getting has been translated, edited, and condensed for clarity. 38 Conversations

Alex Baluyut and Precious Leano Emergency Food Aid Providers

Freelance photographer Alex Baluyut and theater actress Precious Leano are the founders of the non-profit organisation, Art Relief Mobile Kitchen in the Philippines (ARMK), that feeds distressed populations in disaster and conflict areas.

The couple first started cooking hot meals for Precious: It was a motley group of people. Friends responded displaced victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan (local and all our friends are artists. So, there were photographers, and name: Yolanda) in November 2013. ARMK has since there were theatre artists who arrived, and painters. For 22 days, evolved into an independent movement for food. 24/7, we were able to gather around 10.2 tons of food and equipment. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have set up a network of mobile kitchens, run by In disaster areas, we usually serve meals in bowls. We cook a dish local volunteers and communities in five like say, chicken soup (Filipino tinola soup). Imagine people, who different provinces. have just lived through a strong typhoon, smiling instantly as they see smoke and smell the aroma of piping hot soup. Every ARMK most recently provided hot meals for those single time, we see instant smiles. So, that’s why our line has affected by typhoons Molave and Goni. always been­—let’s give them hot, comfort food. Photo Credit: ©Art Relief Mobile Kitchen Alex: We’re foodies. The idea of feeding a lot of people Alex: We give them nourishment but we also give them hope. or building an NGO that would feed people in disaster Their morale is boosted because they know there are people areas was starting to ferment in my mind. And when who care for them. For Filipinos, when you cook for them, Yolanda happened, I said this is the time to test that you become a life-long friend. idea, to bring a mobile kitchen, cook for a lot of people. Precious: We have cooked in more than 60 disasters, from We decided to bring our whole kitchen to the Villamor Batanes (northermost tip) to Jolo (southernmost tip), so practically Air Base where survivors from Tacloban City were landing the entire Philippines. All kinds of disasters, from earthquakes to on C-130 Air Force planes. I made a call on Facebook that typhoons and conflicts, both natural and man-made disasters. I wanted to cook congee for the displaced and within 30 minutes, someone loaned us a vehicle. Then we Now for this pandemic, we’ve been cooking for eight months received fund donations for rice and chicken. since the lockdown. The kitchens are ready to deploy, anytime

The ASEAN October 2020 Conversations 39

Opposite page Alex Baluyut and Precious Leano with volunteers of the Art Relief Mobile Kitchen

This page, top ARMK volunteers in Tandag City, Surigao, Mindanao, September 2015

This page, bottom

Photo Credit: ©Art Relief Mobile Kitchen Alex Baluyut and Precious Leano help survivors of floods due to monsoon rains, Tumana, Marikina, 13 August 2018

they have equipment. They have of help from local dedicated volunteers who are government units, willing to go and set up a kitchen private individuals when, where it’s needed in their who own big houses, areas. During the pandemic, churches. The culture at one point there were five of hot meals for emergency kitchens cooking at the same food aid is growing. It has time. We see the economic caught on and other impact of the pandemic. In the organisations have low-income communities, where mushroomed and there is no work, and no pay. The we need to support hunger is palpable. You can each other. really feel the hunger. If we are able to provide hot meals for Precious: Many of these three days in a week, that other organisations are led makes a huge difference. by former Art Relief Mobile Kitchen volunteers too. Alex: It has now evolved. There’s an innumerable Like our crew in this permanent number of disasters in this kitchen in this village; they are Volunteer cooks start grabbing country, innumerable. victims from a fire in February. the ladle from us and say, “I’ll So, how long do we plan We cooked meals for them do it,” and they never let go. to do this? As long as we when the pandemic started can, the will is always there. in March and now, they’re the So, if there’s a will, there’s kitchen crew. The volunteers a way. And as long as we now come from the community. get support from the community, from donors outside the It’s more logical to get local volunteers, so we don’t have to buy community of artists, the community of people who have expensive airline tickets and fly them to disaster areas. A big part been following us, we’ll be there. We have the will and there of our work now is community organising. We bring in two to three will always be people willing to participate in what we do. people and find volunteers in the community. In our experience, there are always one or two community cooks. That’s a sure thing. Alex: We are learning that in emergency food aid, you really need to have the will. If you have the will, it is always possible Precious: As soon as we start chopping garlic and onions, to provide hot meals to those who need them. the smell of aromatics cooking brings people in.

Alex: Volunteer cooks start grabbing the ladle from us Interviewed by Mary Kathleen Quiano-Castro. This conversation and say, “I’ll do it,” and they never let go. We get offers has been edited and condensed for clarity. 40 Conversations

local communities, such as putting in place an early warning system, it could Pimvadee minimise the possibility and cost of disaster related damage.

“For inclusivity, we request everyone to Keaokiriya attend the meetings which are conducted Development Worker in the community hall. Women attend the meetings; however, they remain seated at the back of the hall taking care of the and Researcher Photo Credit: ©Pimvadee Keaokiriya children. To ensure inclusion, we have Pimvadee Keaokiriya travels along mountain terrains to remote separate focus group discussions with the women to understand their roles villages in Lao PDR and Myanmar, working together with rural in times of disasters. communities to prepare for natural disasters, such as flooding and landslides. “Disaster is something that is very close to everyone and can happen anytime. We need Living with communities for two weeks to be aware and be prepared to respond for each assignment, she has gained to it. Although we presume that everyone insights on the resiliency of people, knows how to respond to disasters, not especially when dealing with disasters. everyone does. There is a need to challenge It has been a profound experience and social norms that disasters are predestined, a meaningful personal journey, as she which we work hard to do. finds her work in disaster preparedness able to produce tangible results. “What is needed is awareness. By knowing about a recurring incident such as seasonally “My experience in conducting a few heavy rainfall, the community is able to Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction coordinate. For example, a voluntary Management (CBDRM) exercises show watch group can be formed to monitor how useful they are. People are so hopeful rain gauge. Once it reaches a certain and they want to make a difference to their level, announcements can be made over communities. They want to be an advocate the radio for people to start evacuating of change and that is something that to the shelters selected. This enables makes a big impact for me. I am happy Pimvadee Keaokiriya finds addressing for people to leave before they that the work that I do makes a difference disaster risk as one of the tangible ways become stranded. for them. Even small scale projects have a of seeing and making a difference profound impact on people’s lives. “Good interagency coordination is also needed. If the community is strong, people “We are really working with the vulnerable communities, really at the national level also need be to be strong. As disasters come hearing the voices from the ground. Through activities to prepare under various ministries, strong coordination is crucial. Access to a community disaster risk reduction (DRR) action plan, we hear about data is much needed to be able to see future climate projection. the local knowledge on how disasters could be addressed. This will allow the creation of different response scenarios, Interviews conducted enable for understanding on how past enabling agencies to prepare accordingly. disasters have impacted the lives of people in these communities. They inform us on what would be appropriate for their communities, “These communities face a dual problem of floods, stemming from which then gets integrated into the DRR plan. We also learn about the river when it overflows, and also drought. My wish is for lessons initiatives taken such as the setup of a community DRR watch group, learnt in these communities to be replicated in other countries in which enables them to reduce their risks to future disasters. the region. The community leaders also have the potential to be trainer of trainers for possible future projects. The rivers are a source of “Through CBDRM activities, the community requested life for these communities, let’s mitigate its cause as a source of grief. the installation of a radio. This would enable warnings to be given in times of flash floods which often result in “Being in these remote areas has also provided a rare opportunity landslide or mudslides, causing massive destruction and loss of seeing the conditions of these people, especially the children of life. The presence of both the community leader and the and schools. Through funds raised, I have bought items needed governor at the workshops we organised enabled this such as textbooks and stationery. request to be inserted into one of the recommendations of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)’s plan. Interviewed by Kiran Sagoo, PhD. This conversation has been Bridging the gap between the NDMO in the capital with edited and condensed for clarity.

The ASEAN October 2020 Shifting Currents 41 Shifting Currents Photo Credit: © Indochina studio/Shutterstock

The ASEAN September 2020 42 to pursue their desired pathway in life.” to pursuetheirdesiredpathwayinlife.” ‘no.’ Theyshoulddiscusswiththeirparentsandshowdetermination forced tomarrysomeone,theyshouldknowthathavetherightsay futures, andnottobecomeawifeormotheratyoungage.Andiftheyare “Every childhasarighttodream,allgirlsneedstudyandpursuetheir Shifting Currents ChildMarriage soon” for young girls andadolescents, their However, happens whenmarriage “too one’s life withanotherperson. and commitment to spendtherest of oflovepeople, anact andamutual choice For isaunionoftwo most, marriage Asia Marriage inSoutheast ofChild,Overview Earlyand Forced marriages. young women whoare forced into early voice and to thosewhohave none—girls to lenda was anopportunity marriage. It work toin advocacy eliminate child StatesASEAN Member whoare engaged platform for young women from different The asa September forum also served andforcedearly marriage. strategic towards actions eliminating child, for more coordinated andcollaborative bodiesandrelevantsectoral stakeholders dialoguewithotherASEAN action-oriented marriages. They were meant to facilitate raise awareness onchild, andforced early withUNICEFandUNFPA,partnership to Children theforums, conducted (ACWC) in and Protection of oftheRights Women and The ASEAN Commission onthePromotion Indonesia. 2019 inJakarta, 2020. TheMarch firstone was heldon6 Marriage heldonlineon14September 2nd Forum onChild, Early andForced a youth advocate from Thailand, at the These were thewords of16-year-old Orn, A UNION OFCHOICE? ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT AND GENDERDIVISION HEAD, POVERTY ERADICATION SITA SUMRIT, PhD

marriage or informal union occurring orinformalmarriage unionoccurring is definedasa Child marriage formal and economically. emotionally, socially, politically, to causelong lastingdamage—physically, forced are marriage severe and likely The consequences ofchild, and early pregnancy, violence. orintimate partner due to associated health risks withearly lost. Worse, theirlife may bethreatened are likelyto bealtered opportunities or andeconomic andlife becomes uncertain, compromised, thepath to theirfuture happiness andwellbeing are

ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT AND GENDERDIVISION SENIOR OFFICER,POVERTY ERADICATION JACEL JAVIER PAGUIO Chai district on mountainousroadinMuCang her sononbackheadinghome Very youngHmongmothercarries region, itremains concern. aserious isdecreasing While childmarriage inthe 2017; Indonesia Viet NamMICS2014). DHS 2015;PhilippinesMyanmar DHS2017; Thailand MICS2015;Cambodia DHS2014; it is10.6percent (LaoPDRMICS 2017; average is16percent, whilefor Viet Nam, Philippines, andMyanmar, Indonesia the and Cambodia at 18.6percent. For the followed by Thailand at 22.5percent, highest at 32.7percent inLaoPDR, orinunionbeforemarried theageof18is women aged20-24years whowere first 2020 shows that thepercentage ofASEAN environment. UNICEF’s GlobalDatabase andcultural their socio-economic complex reasons, associated often with and adolescent pregnancies by many are driven to andforced early marriage girls andadolescents inASEAN.Children isareality faced byChild marriage many year.children every UNICEF, as 12millionwomen marry the ageof18as2018.According to today were before married theyreached that more than650millionwomen living shows global scenario onchildmarriage before theageof18(UNICEF, 2014). The

The ASEAN October 2020

Photo Credit: © Vietnam Stock Images/Shutterstock Shifting Currents Child Marriage 43

Child marriage is a reality faced by many girls and Policies can help curb child, early and forced marriage. However, these policies adolescents in ASEAN. Children are driven to early must make girls and adolescents visible and forced marriage and adolescent pregnancies by in the framework, must be strictly implemented, and must be consistent many complex reasons, often associated with their with other policies such as raising the legal marrying age in ASEAN socio-economic and cultural environment. Member States and improving access to information on adolescent sexuality. Eliminating child, early and forced In terms of teen pregnancy and birth, lack of education; and absence of guidance marriage and adolescent pregnancies WHO figures show that approximately six or lack of parenting capabilities by parents in the ASEAN region has become more million girls between the ages of 15 and and guardians. challenging with the global economic 19 give birth in Southeast Asia each year downturn caused by COVID-19 and the which is equivalent 43 per 1,000 females. In all forms of child marriage, major disturbances it has wrought on This is quite alarming as it is even higher girls are denied of their rights to family and social life, and the new systems than the global rate at 42.5 (DESA, 2019). reach their full potential, limiting their of learning. Crisis and emergencies cause capacity “to do” and “to be.” When girls people to fall deeper into poverty, which Globally, pregnancy and childbirth and young adolescents are forced into is among the drivers of child, early and complications are the leading cause of marriage due to lack of opportunities forced marriage. death for 15–19-year-old girls (Neal S, or options for a better life and when they et al, 2015). Adolescent women die during are unable to access gender responsive Eliminating child early marriage pregnancy and childbirth since their services, it is an indication of gaps and and adolescent pregnancy demands bodies are not yet fully developed and failures in our society. comprehensive sex education for both ready to bear children. young girls and boys that will increase As another youth advocate, their knowledge about sexuality, intimacy, Child, Early and Forced Marriage 21 year-old Ferny from Sasak Panjang, and relationships, as well as sexual and is a Consequence, Not a Choice Indonesia said, “I have been actively reproductive health and well-being, A closer look at the situation in ASEAN promoting child marriage prevention including early and unintended countries reveal three main factors that since I was 16 years old. At that time, pregnancies, among others. A similar force girls and young adolescents into I joined the Bogor District Children’s course is needed for parents and adults early or forced marriages: (i) traditional Forum where I learned about child because lack of information, awareness, child early/forced marriage, (ii) peer-led marriage issues.” and understanding on this subject matter marriage and cohabitation, and can hinder institutional efforts. (iii) circumstantial or unintended “Eventually, I discovered that my child marriage. mother was also a victim of child ASEAN remains committed to advancing marriage. From that moment, the protection and development of girls Customs and traditions in some areas in I became inspired to contribute and adolescents. It has mainstreamed ASEAN Member States still play a major to preventing child marriage…child gender and inclusion in the development part in driving children to early and forced marriage continues because there are and realisation of the ASEAN work plans marriage. But other patterns are equally some children who feel too tired studying and initiatives, ensuring investment in important to highlight. Pre-marital sex due to the uncertainty of the current girls’ empowerment, protection, and an unintended pregnancy from education system, and because and development. it are often followed by circumstantial of the influence of the society marriage. In some cases, the girls are and media,” she added. Progress towards eliminating child, early victims of sexual violence and trafficking. and forced marriage as well as adolescent Teenage girls may also consent to Educating and helping young women pregnancies shows promising potential cohabitation if pressured by peers, or if break the cycle of early marriages in in the ASEAN region. This was presented they do not have a proper understanding their families are crucial to fixing at the launching of the Girls Leadership of their own sexuality, including these gaps in society. Index held virtually on 9 October 2020, reproductive health and rights. through the joint undertaking of the Opportunities to Prevent and Eliminate ASEAN Secretariat and Plan International. Child, early and forced marriage Child, Early and Forced Marriages The Girls Leadership Index presents is perpetuated further by a culture ASEAN firmly believes that it is a reliable data on the status of girls’ of poverty and economic insecurity; manifestation of gender inequality leadership in 19 South and Southeast people’s mindset and attitude towards and discrimination structured by social Asian countries. It frames girls’ leadership adolescence, sexuality, and marriage; norms, traditions, and beliefs. in its broader form, i.e. as a concept 44 Shifting Currents Child Marriage

that considers a wide array of girls’ competencies, skills, and the environmental conditions that support girls’ exercise of their agency, including having a voice and participating in their own lives, households and communities. The index is an important tool in efforts to eliminate child, early and forced marriage and adolescent pregnancies in the ASEAN region.

Advancing the Agenda of Girls and Adolescents Child, early and forced marriage is like an epidemic—it cannot be reversed over a short period of time. Leaving no one behind is an end goal shared by all stakeholders, but this is easier said than done. Sustained inclusive efforts are necessary to transform society and ensure that development is enjoyed by all.

To advance the agenda on the elimination of child, early and forced marriage, guided by the leave-no-one- behind principle, holistic interventions must be grounded on the enabling and constraining social-cultural and ecological factors that affect adolescent girls’ abilities to thrive and develop. The drivers of child, early and forced down to the local levels, to sustain turned into opportunities for strategic marriage must be determined to government’s investments on girls advocacy, education, and increased ensure that interventions are and adolescents. participation. But extra caution is needed responsive to this problem. because of the safety risks associated Education and awareness raising are with increased online presence. Current information on child, early crucial to combat child, early and forced and forced marriage must be broadened marriage. Education can alter the way girls “Certainly, our efforts must include by doing more research and gathering (and boys) view marriage, which is often awareness-raising, constituency-building, more evidence on the unique situations influenced by social norms, beliefs, and and working with champions, youth and experiences of girls and young traditions. It also arms them with movement, civil society organisations, adolescents. Comprehensive and knowledge and skills that will help them traditional and religious leaders, men accurate data on child, early and make better choices for their future. and boys and women and girls,” said forced marriage and pregnancies Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim among young adolescents can help Girls and boys must have a critical Jock Hoi at the 2nd Forum on Child, Photo Credit: © KonstantinChristian/Shutterstock countries tailor their strategies for voice in finding solutions and options Early and Forced Marriage. preventing and eliminating child and must be actively involved in realising marriage. The use of the Girls Leadership them. Member States must honor their We must stop pushing our girls into Index by various development planners strengths, abilities, and leadership child marriage and early pregnancies. and stakeholders is also encouraged. capabilities, being the primary stakeholders We must not let them suffer from and “agents of change” in eliminating child, conditions created from the past. At the political level, there is a call for early and forced marriage, with support Together, we must give them a more focused and institutionalised from parents, families, and communities. opportunities to develop their gifts approach to ensure protection of Consultative platforms for girls and and talents, break free from the cycle children from child marriage. Policy adolescents and essential stakeholders of poverty, and enjoy life to the fullest. interventions need to cover response, must be done from the grassroots level prevention, and elimination of child, up to the regional level, online and offline. Investing in girls and young adolescents early and forced marriage across the must be embraced as a strategic initiative different life-cycle domains that are Increased presence of girls and young towards inclusive social transformation to be adopted at the national level adolescents in the digital world must be for a future that is of their choice.

The ASEAN October 2020 Shifting Currents Poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic 45

POVERTY AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A LOOK AT THE “NEW POOR”

MIGUEL V. MUSNGI SENIOR OFFICER, POVERTY ERADICATION AND GENDER DIVISION ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT

The global economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has Impact of the COVID-19 plunged a large segment pandemic on the of the population global economy into poverty. Economic losses from the Recent estimates from the World Bank pandemic will range from show that between 88 million and 115 5.8 trillion US dollars (6.4 million people are in danger of sliding per cent of global GDP) if back into extreme poverty in 2020 and conditions normalise within another 23 million to 35 million in 2021. three months, to 8.8 trillion US Measured by the number of people dollars (9.7 per cent of global living on less than 1.90 US dollars per day, GDP) if the pandemic lasts extreme poverty is expected to increase for the first time globally since 1998 and longer than six months. Source: Navigating COVID-19 in Asia Global remittances are set back progress towards ending and the Pacific, Asian Development expected to fall by 20 extreme poverty by at least three years. Bank, September 2020 per cent in 2020, costing over The World Bank’s recent forecasts further a 100 billion US dollars decrease Economic growth is projected to project around 821 million to 1.16 billion in remittances in low- and fall by 5.2 per cent in 2020, the “new poor” people between 2020 and middle-income countries.

2030 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. largest drop in eight decades. Source: World Bank Predicts Sharpest Source: Poverty and Shared Prosperity Decline of Remittances in Recent 2020: Reversals of Fortune, World Bank, The global recession and the 2020 History, World Bank, 22 April 2020 pandemic’s socio-economic impact on people in ASEAN underscore the need Global loss in labour income The number of tourists is for immediate action to protect the has reached 3.5 trillion US expected to fall by 60 per cent poor. The pandemic has exacerbated the dollars for the first three to 80 per cent. In the first existing vulnerabilities of the traditional quarters of 2020 alone, with quarter of 2020, there are poor, exposing them to more risks. lower-middle income countries 67 million fewer international tourist arrivals, equivalent Identifying and locating the poor being the hardest hit, following in society—including the risks that a 23.3 per cent decline in to 80 billion US dollars in compound their existing vulnerabilities, working hours in the second lost export earnings. Source: International Tourist such as rapid urbanisation, continuing quarter of 2020. Numbers Could Fall 60-80% in 2020, Source: ILO Monitor: COVID-19 informalisation of work, increasing UNWTO Reports, World Tourism and the World of Work, Sixth Edition, gender inequalities, and the impacts of Organization, 7 May 2020 23 September 2020 climate change—are thus one of the foremost tasks of governments. 46 Shifting Currents Poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic

Poverty Before the Pandemic were living below the countries’ poverty reliant on remittances from family Great strides have been achieved in lines in 2018. The rate of rural poverty members who are migrant workers, reducing absolute poverty worldwide, was higher, at 18 per cent. both domestic and overseas. They tended although the rate of decline has been to have less access to public services, markets, slowing down even before the pandemic. In terms of the characteristics of the and infrastructure, as well as provisions for The World Bank reported that for the global poor, the World Bank reported health, education, and social protection. period 2015 to 2017, the number of that in 2018, two-thirds of the world’s They were also disadvantaged by the people living on 1.90 US dollars a day poor were young at 24 years old and digital divide. decreased from 741 million to 689 million. below; about a third of poor people 15 years old and older had no formal The urban poor, meanwhile, In Southeast Asia, the proportion of education while another one-third were living in congested informal population categorised as extremely achieved only a lower level of education; settlements. The 1.2 billion people poor substantially decreased from and more women and girls experienced in this category also tended to have 30 per cent in 2000 to 5 per cent in poverty across the globe. limited access to health care and 2017 based on the Asia and the Pacific sanitation, nutrition, and infrastructure, Progress Report 2020. According to the Prior to the onslaught of the pandemic, among others. With their incomes reliant 2020 ASEAN Sustainable Development 80 per cent of the extreme poor were on an uncertain informal sector Goals Indicators Baseline Report, an residing in rural areas. Most of the poor combined with their precarious living average of 13 per cent of the total were working in the agricultural and conditions, the urban poor had a higher population among the Member States informal sectors, and were increasingly risk of falling into deeper poverty.

Economic In addition to the estimated Women are disproportionately 386 million children exposed to the impacts of toll of already in extreme poverty the pandemic. With 740 COVID-19 in 2019, another 42 to 66 million women million children would worldwide relying on the on women be pushed into extreme informal economy, their income and children poverty by 2020. fell by 60 per cent during Source: Policy Brief: The Impact of the first month of the pandemic. COVID-19 on Children,UN Secretary- General, 15 April 2020 Women in domestic, Approximately 150 accommodation, and food million additional children services sectors have been hit are living in multidimensional the hardest: 72 per cent poverty—children without of domestic workers (80 per access to health, education, cent of whom are women) nutrition, water and sanitation lost their jobs, and the jobs of and housing services. 75.4 million women in the Source: Technical Note: Impact of accommodation and food COVID-19 on Child Poverty, UNICEF, services sectors are in September 2020 jeopardy as well. Currently, around 60 per The pandemic has intensified cent of children worldwide women’s unpaid care and are not getting an education domestic workload. By 2021, because of school closures. Source: COVID-19 and the SDGs: How around 435 million the ‘Roadmap for Humanity’ Could Be women and girls will be Changed by A Pandemic, UNDP pushed into poverty because of the pandemic. Source: From Insight to Action: Gender Equality in the Wake of COVID-19, UN Women, 2020

The ASEAN October 2020 Photo Credit: © Louise Infante/Shutterstock back to theirhomesinthe rural areas many ofwhoare migrants, will move likely that thoseresiding areas, inurban will belimited becauseofpoverty. is It well to cope andtheirability andrecover therural pooras tourism, willstillhurt supply chainsandsuspendedtravel and itself, suchasbroken itseconomic impact, be immediately exposedto theCOVID-19 workers.sector Althoughmany may not andinformalsmallholder familyfarmers in rural areas. will stillbe Most oftheworld’smajority poorstill reside general, thatIn the it is expected of thepoorremains unchanged. may seemdifferent, the overall profile Although theprofile ofthenewpoor and tourism. garments,manufacturing, who work inindustries, suchas of themare to bewomen expected lockdowns ortravel restrictions. Most lost theirjobsorlivelihoods becauseof be labourers andmigrant workers who provisions for health. They are likelyto andsocialprotection, nor social security in citieswithlimited ornoaccess to any densely populated settlement urban of thenewpoorare those livingin The people likelyto jointheranks andlivingininformalsector settlements. intheinformal especially thoseworking poorthemost, theurban has impacted areas,cases occurr inurban thepandemic areas. Since 95percent ofCOVID-19 intheinformal inurban sector working than thechronic poor, employed and and theyare more likelyto beeducated to lineprior thepandemic, the poverty is, thenewpoorwere justlivingabove the chronic that poorandthenon-poor; Bank saidthat thissegment fallsbetween Profiling the “new poor,” the World far greater, according to World Bank. countries—the poorpopulation willbe US dollarsaday for upper-middle-income lower-middle-income countries, and5.50 applied—3.20 USdollarsaday for thresholds are thehigherpoverty If countries.come from middle-income by 2021,around 72millionare likelyto projected to fallinto poverty extreme the110millionto 150millionpeople Of Pushing People into Poverty

foundation for adevelopment agendathat pandemic, ASEANhasbeenlaying the Beyond promptly responding to the and circumstances ofthepoor. importantly, responsive to theneeds sustainable, resilient, and, more recovery measures that are inclusive, but hopeliesindeveloping COVID-19 The challengesmay seeminsurmountable Pro-Poor COVID-19 Recovery greatly weakened. where thewholeeconomy hasbeen inasituation access food particularly change may affectthepoor’s to capacity weatherExtreme events causedby climate byadditional peopleinto 2030. poverty estimated to pusharound 100 million ofclimate change, impacts which is Poverty isdriven even deeperby the poverty,extreme according to World Bank. 746 millionpeoplewillbepushedinto countries in2020,around 717millionto index increases by onepercent inall has grown. isestimated that iftheGini It per cent, live incountries where inequality thirds oftheworld population, around 71 saysWorld around two- Report Social middle income countries. The UN’s 2020 most developed countries andinsome 1990s, hasincreased income inequality in existinginequalities. pervasive Since the COVID-19 to exacerbate isexpected virus inisolated areas. may increase ofspreading therisk the once jobsbecome scarce. This inturn Shifting Currents Poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic

climate change. of and urbanisation, andtheimpacts rural areas, andurban informalisation inequalities, theintrinsic link between driversunderlying ofpoverty, suchas recovery programme that willaddress Lastly, itwillbeprudent to pursuea and integrated recovery programme. lens inframing aholistic, comprehensive, to isalsoworthwhile usearural-urban It disabilities andtheirfamilies, experience. such asolderpersonsandwith that other vulnerable groups,poverty onthedepthandbreadth of impacts poor. Suchdata willshow thepandemic’s and programmes that are targeted for the policies the design ofevidence-based Poverty data and statistics are in critical made vulnerable by thepandemic. and thetraditional poor—who are further protect allthepoor—both the “new poor” isincumbent upondecision-makersto It and gender-responsive. inclusive, sustainable, andthat isage- recovery framework that aimsto befair, Currently, ASEANisdeveloping anASEAN Resilience: Towards COVID-19 Recovery.” on Poverty“Reducing andBuilding Development andPoverty Eradication onRural Meeting by the ASEANMinisterial protecting thepoor, hasbeenarticulated initiative. guidance on Andspecificpolicy others, to thewiderASEANIntegration among skills, developing 21stcentury social protection, investing injobs, and frameworks range from strengthening pandemic’s impacts. These policy can beleveraged to withstandthe

47 48 Snapshots SDGs Snapshots FIVE YEARS OF SDGs IN ASEAN: PROGRESS AND LESSONS LEARNED

ELBINSAR PURBA KIRAN SAGOO, PhD OFFICER, POVERTY ERADICATION AND GENDER DIVISION SENIOR OFFICER, ANALYSIS DIVISION ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT

In the recently published Sustainable Development Report 2020, which tracks countries’ progress towards achieving their ASEAN sustainable development goals to date, most ASEAN Member States COMMITMENT have index scores ranging from 60 to 70. The score represents the TO ACHIEVING percentage of measurable SDG outcomes that each country has THE SDGs accomplished, with 100 being the highest, and 0, the lowest. ASEAN Leaders joined world leaders in adopting the United Rank-wise, six ASEAN Member States are also needed to reduce inequalities Nations 2030 Agenda for are among the top 100 best performing and build stronger institutions. Sustainable Development in countries, with two Member States, namely, September 2015. The agenda Thailand and Viet Nam, among the top Various setbacks persist that obstruct contains 17 sustainable 50 countries. timely progress, ranging from incoherence development goals (SDGs) in government initiatives, inadequate which country-signatories aim In terms of overall progress, ASEAN financial resources, to lack of reliable data to achieve over a 15-year period. is making significant headway towards to monitor the progress and inform policy ASEAN Member States, at the reducing poverty, addressing hunger, making. COVID-19 pandemic certainly regional and national levels, improving health standards, and has brought about new conditions and have taken steps to implement increasing access to education. The region negative impacts to most of the goals the SDGs and at the same time, is also making satisfactory progress in as urged by the United Nations. realise the objectives of the fostering innovation, building sustainable ASEAN Vision 2025, in light of communities, and addressing the Acknowledging that development gains the complementarities between impacts of climate change. are being reversed, ASEAN has undertaken the two agendas. The year 2020 a number of initiatives to address the causes marks two important occasions: However, challenges remain. According that derail SDG implementation. A series the fifth year of implementation to the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress of symposiums on SDGs jointly organised of the SDGs and the start of the Report 2020, Southeast Asia needs to by ASEAN, People’s Republic of China, and Decade of Action, and the redouble its efforts in building resilience the United Nations Development Programme mid-term implementation to disasters, reducing premature mortality (UNDP) surfaced the need to establish of the ASEAN Community from non-communicable diseases, a stronger basis for financing policies by Blueprints which actualise preventing substance abuse, reducing systematically costing development plans and the ASEAN vision. road traffic accidents, and enhancing policies, and establishing comprehensive, transport systems. Accelerated efforts long-term financing strategies. At the regional

The ASEAN October 2020 Snapshots SDGs 49

Last but not least, the regular High- Level Brainstorming Dialogue (HLBD) on Enhancing Complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has served as a review mechanism and platform for candid conversation among ASEAN Member States and partners to monitor the progress of implementation of Complementarities Roadmap 2020-2025. The 4th HLBD held in June this year identified further initiatives and new opportunities to follow up the Complementarities Initiative, taking into account the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ways Forward Source: www.un.org ASEAN is strongly committed to achieving the SDGs as reflected in its level, it is proposed that ASEAN establish governments to leverage innovation and concrete initiatives and continued an integrated national financing framework technology to improve data systems and cooperation. Moving forward, ASEAN peer review mechanism, and a knowledge- availability. The participants also noted Member States must exert robust efforts sharing platform on financing for that governments must endeavor to boost to translate the recommendations and sustainable development for effective capacity of and allocate more resources outcomes arising from existing initiatives SDGs implementation. Countries in the to statistical offices. Concrete example into concrete actions. Solidifying coherence region also need to foster the enabling of regional cooperation on statistics and synergy among ASEAN platforms on environment for coherent, cohesive, is the Working Group on Sustainable SDGs cooperation is vital. Through these coordinated policies across government Development Goals Indicators of the measures, coupled with the promotion agencies and levels of governance. It is ASEAN Community Statistical System of local actions and empowerment of the also crucial that they continue to translate which has recently launched the ASEAN people, ASEAN will be able to reap the global goals and integrate them into local Sustainable Development Goals Indicators benefits of our steadfast efforts to make plans and practices. Lastly, countries must Baseline Report 2020 and the ASEAN the region an inclusive, sustainable, and harness partnerships and invest in innovation Online Database for SDG Indicators. resilient community. for successful realisation of the SDGs. This 2nd forum was held in cooperation with Switzerland and is part of the Road to ASEAN Platforms for Cooperation Bern, a series of events on SDGs leading on SDGs to the UN World Data Forum 2021. ASEAN has established several platforms CALL FOR to advance SDGs cooperation. The ASEAN The annual ASEAN-China-UNDP Forum on SDGs with National symposium on SDGs is another important PAPERS Development Planning Agencies is venue for dialogue on inclusive and regarded as one of the major platforms sustainable development. The 5th ASEAN Symposium on contributing to strengthening regional symposium with its focus on the roles of the ASCC Blueprint 2025, strategies on SDGs. The 2nd forum, held youth in advancing SDG implementation, 10 December 2020 on 12 October 2020, discussed the proposal is expected to be held virtually at the We welcome the submission of to develop a work plan on SDGs cooperation end of 2020. The youth play a critical role unpublished papers on ASEAN’s and to establish a mechanism for cooperation in helping the region moving forward Socio-Cultural Community among national development planning with the SDGs by bringing in fresh and Blueprint 2025 for presentation agencies. Envisioned to engage various innovative ideas, promoting technology at the upcoming symposium. sectoral bodies and stakeholders, the work development and use, and in championing plan is expected to steer cooperation for the creative communication on the SDGs, Decade of Action and complement the to name a few. The 5th symposium is Further details current development priorities of ASEAN. set to be an interactive platform for available at: (https://asean.org/storage/2020/11/ engagement between policy makers Info.-Call-for-Papers-for-website. The forum‘s participants highlighted the and the youth to discuss policies and rev2_.pdf) importance of reliable statistics and data initiatives on the catalytic role of youth to monitor SDGs’ progress and encouraged in development process. 50 Snapshots Persons withDisabilities RESPONSE AND RECOVERY AND RESPONSE COVID-19 INCLUSIVE THROUGH WITH DISABILITIES PERSONS OF BURDENS THE EASING disability inclusion in ASEAN. In his inclusioninASEAN.In disability ofwebseries theissueof forums tackling Response Recovery, was thefirstina Persons for withDisabilities Effective Inclusion andCOVID-19: Engaging The web forum, titledDisability AccessDisability on26August 2020. for Network and theGeneralElection Forum,Secretariat, theASEAN Disability forum organised by theASEAN esteemed lineupofspeakersintheweb These were thequestions faced by an post-pandemic recoveryefforts? concerns, andrecommendationsbemainstreamedinto disabilities (PWDs)inASEAN? Howcantheirneeds, How hastheCOVID-19pandemicaffectedpersonswith AND AGBISIT B. JOANNE THE ASEAN THE EDITORIAL TEAM pandemic andthemeasures instituted by detailedhowthe PWDcommunity the thisfirst In web forum, speakersfrom and protecting therights ofPWDs. regional bloc’s blueprint for promoting Mainstreaming ofPWDs theRights , the ASEAN EnablingMasterplan 2025: to theongoingimplementation ofthe that thewebinar aimsto series contribute Cultural Community Kung Phoak said General ofASEANfor theASEANSocio- opening remarks, Secretary- Deputy increased PWDS’ levels and ofanxiety Malaysia. This information void has of theNational Council for theBlind, not have audio,” said Wong Yoon Loong language interpretation andwe alsodo accessible becausewe donothave sign and infographics on are not TV beginning, alot ofannouncements few months ofthepandemic. “At the disabilities, thefirst especiallyduring anddevelopmentalintellectual visually-impaired, orthosewith disabilities, and suchasthehearing- people withadiverse range of they said, were notgettingacross to andprevention,messages aboutrisk Information aboutCOVID-19 andkey daily strugglesofPWDs. exacerbated thevulnerabilities and governments to contain ithave The ASEAN October 2020

Photo Credit: © AnnGaysorn/Shutterstock Snapshots Persons with Disabilities 51

distress, and made them more are excluded from online susceptible to fake news It has also become tougher for learning since they have no coming from unofficial sources. PWDs, especially those with access to smart devices and connectivity, Nguyen also Wong added that government- chronic conditions or who are pointed out. This is expected mandated lockdowns or immuno-compromised, to get to stunt their development stay-at-home orders have the routine medical check-up and and heighten their sense of made it difficult for PWDs to isolation. Violence against get the special assistance they treatment that they require due women and children with need, including buying daily to lack of transportation services, disabilities during lockdowns necessities and medicines and is another growing concern. preparing meals. “Not all are inaccessible support system, and living with their families and The economic fallout from

Photo Credit: © Photographee.eu/Shutterstock concern for their safety. friends…sometimes (even if) the pandemic has also severely you give them provisions like impacted PWDs. Many have rice, they cannot cook it themselves,” lost their income and livelihood, ending he said. “Physical distancing may also their relative independence or leaving discourage the public from offering blood pressure because they fear getting them unable to support their families. assistance to PWDs.” infected,” said Nguyen Hong Ha of Hanoi While ASEAN governments have provided Independent Living Center, Viet Nam. cash and in-kind assistance to the poor It has also become tougher for PWDs, PWDs also have a hard time accessing and vulnerable groups, these are not especially those with chronic conditions COVID-19 tests since only a few hospital sufficient and sustainable. “The assistance or who are immuno-compromised, facilities offer this service. Wong said that provided by government is only for basic to get the routine medical check-up and even if these facilities are within reach, expenses, not considering the disability- treatment that they require due to lack many frontliners may not have the proper related costs, such as maintenance of transportation services, inaccessible training to explain the procedures and medicine, access to transportation, support system, and concern for their handle PWDs with care and sensitivity. personal assistance, and delivery safety. “I see many women with disabilities assistance,” said Arnel Manlapaz of refuse to go to the hospital even if they Children with special needs who come the Life Human Center for Independent are suffering from diabetes and high from poor families or live in remote areas Living, Philippines. 52 Snapshots Persons with Disabilities

Forum speakers said that the pandemic Involving organisations of persons area, with ASEAN Leaders issuing the handed out important lessons on what with disabilities is also an effective Declaration of the Special ASEAN measures eased the burdens of PWDs way of delivering information and Summit on COVID-19 and five ministerial during the pandemic and what more can assistance to the PWD community. bodies—labor, agriculture and forestry, be done to support them as countries “These organisations are natural health, economic, rural development move towards recovery. mechanisms to monitor the situation and poverty eradication—setting their of PWDs. They give feedback to the respective plans to address the pandemic Extending social protection schemes to government; at other times, they take and its aftermath. “Equally important PWDs is one of these measures. “Countries additional action, such as looking for is the special meeting convened by that have ongoing programmes where resources to support PWDs,” said ASEAN ministers of social welfare and they offer social protection to PWDs were Manlapaz. Richard Tan, Focal Point development, the ones in charge of the able to immediately upscale these during of Singapore for the Senior Officials ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 and the pandemic and ensure that extra Meeting on Social Welfare and looking after the welfare of the vulnerable assistance went out to PWDs,” said Srinivas Development, mentioned several groups in ASEAN,” said Tan. He said that Tata, Director of the Social Development PWD organisations that carry out the ministers recognised the differentiated Division of the UN Economic and Social inspiring work within the region, such as and disproportionate impact of the Commission for Asia and the Pacific. the ASEAN Disability Forum which has pandemic on vulnerable groups such He said that covering PWDs with been engaged in raising awareness, as PWDs and pledged to support comprehensive social protection scheme providing training, and harmonising mainstreaming disability in all COVID-19 is well within reach of Member States and legislation in several Member States. measures, such as access to facilities, social costs only a fraction of their GDP. protection, and allocation of public funds. Since PWDs are not a homogenous Higher and sustainable funding for group, collecting and systematising The web forum, streamed disability inclusion is also necessary. data on PWDs are cited as essential through Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook, Bagus Santoso of DEFINIT Asia said that for better programme targeting and was attended by some 100 participants the current value of support for PWDs, provision of emergency assistance. from organisations of PWDs, ASEAN’s at least in the case of Indonesia, is not “Lack of data is connected to poor dialogue and development partners, sufficient and raised the need to infuse targeting, but even if data are and sectoral bodies of the socio-cultural, more funds into the national budget for available, they are not used for economic, and political-security pillars. programmes that promote empowerment delivery of services,” said Manlapaz. Sita Sumrit, Head of the Poverty Eradication and inclusion of PWDs. Since funds and Gender Division of the ASEAN are not limitless, Santoso suggested Embedding PWDs’ concerns into Secretariat, mentioned that the next calibrated support, i.e. full support for regional and national post-pandemic two web forums will focus on applying PWDs who have severe disabilities and are recovery and rebuilding plans will also disability inclusion principles to ASEAN’s completely dependent, and employment guarantee inclusion. Tan said that ASEAN economic integration agenda and and entrepreneurial opportunities for Member States are miles ahead in this smart-city and connectivity initiatives. PWDs who are skilled and have economic potential. He commended Member States, such as Indonesia, that have instituted quotas for employment of PWDs in the public and private sectors—a significant stride towards inclusion.

ASEAN may likewise mobilise funds from partner organisations to support programmes benefiting PWDs. Jillian Ray of the Australian Mission to ASEAN mentioned the continuing partnership between the Australian government and ASEAN on initiatives to protect the rights Photo Credit: © Akemaster/Shutterstock of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. “Our Disability Rights in ASEAN project continues to advocate the use of the Enabling Masterplan in COVID-19 response and recovery and we continue to explore opportunities to support ASEAN bodies and disability partners in this work,” she said.

The ASEAN October 2020 Snapshots ASEAN on a Plate 53

The region is home to over a thousand varieties of rice grains, which include both glutinous and non-glutinous versions. Rice grains include shades of white, pink, orange, THE RICE red, brown, and black. Ample rice-based dishes are available in THAT BINDS the region, with many of them prepared in similar ways. Boiled, steamed, fried, or grilled, dishes include the deliberate use of coconut milk, herbs, and spices. A common sight in the region are rice packets wrapped up in KIRAN SAGOO, PhD banana leaves, containing either a savoury AND THE ASEAN EDITORIAL TEAM or sweet treat. Rice meals can range from having just one accompanying dish to over ten dishes. The region also has a wide array Rice is the primary source of sustenance in Southeast Asia. of dishes made from rice flour. From fluffy Eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this grain of life pancakes to comforting puddings, rice is nourishes both the body and spirit of ASEAN’s people. central in ASEAN’s cuisine.

Rice and chicken Bay Moan (Cambodia); Hainanese Chicken Rice (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand); Khao Niew Ping Gai (Lao PDR); Kyet Kyan Ma Sai (Myanmar); Chicken Inasal (Philippines); Com Ga Hoi An (Viet Nam)

The staple street food dish of rice and Com Ga Hoi An chicken takes various forms across the region, with countries having similar dishes or cooking styles. The Hainanese style rice is cooked in chicken broth and served with either poached or roasted Borbor chicken, and a ginger-lime chili sauce. It is enjoyed in Brunei Darussalam, Congee Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bubur (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Thailand. In Viet Nam, turmeric is added Sinangag Malaysia, Singapore); Borbor (Cambodia); to the broth, and it is served with fish Khao Piak Khao (Lao PDR); Hsan Pyoke sauce, instead of chili sauce. The sauce Fried Rice (Myanmar); Arroz Caldo (Philippines); accompanying Cambodia’s bay moan Nasi Goreng (Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Jok (Thailand); Chao (Viet Nam) is richly flavored with birds’ eye chilies and Singapore, Indonesia); Bay Cha (Cambodia);

fish sauce. Myanmar’s kyet kyan ma sai Khao Khua (Lao PDR); Hta Min Gyaw People in the region often start their includes chicken boiled with preserved (Myanmar); Sinangag (Philippines); day with a hearty bowl of rice porridge. vegetables, to accompany the rice. Khao Op Wapperot (Thailand); This soft rice dish is boiled with ginger in Com Chien (Viet Nam) water or broth, then topped with eggs or In Lao PDR and the Philippines, rice is shredded meat and garnished with green eaten with grilled chicken. Marinated in A good cook knows that it is always best to onion, coriander, lime, and fried shallots. vinegar, kalamansi, ginger, and lemongrass, use day old rice for fried rice. The ingenuity The Philippines version uses glutinous rice. and grilled till golden-brown, this flavourful of combining leftover rice with eggs, meat Variations to congee include adding water Filipino dish is served with additional or seafood, and vegetables makes a highly spinach, corn kernels, or yam, as in bubur spiced vinegar known as sinamak. Cilantro, flavorsome dish. From the addition of sambal Manado. A vegetarian version known as soya sauce and fish sauce are added to or curry paste; pineapples or ginger-flower; khichdi is made from rice, lentils, and spices, the marinade for ping gai, and it is soya sauce or fish sauce or both, the region Photo Credit: © ifoodijourney/Shutterstock; © Makistock/Shutterstock; Crystal Eye Studio/Shutterstock reflecting Indian origins. served with glutinous rice. has numerous varieties of this tasteful dish. 54 of sweetened sticky rice boiled in coconut of sweetened rice boiledincoconut sticky instead. The love ofthepopulardessert andtopped withshreddedmilk, coconut the puddingismadewithoutcoconut five Myanmar,countries inthe In region. This treat warm, comforting isenjoyed in milk andsweetened withcoconut sugar. white orblackrice, isboiledwithcoconut Pulut Ketan, apuddingmadefrom either (Philippines); CheDau Trang Nam) (Viet Shwe (Myanmar); Champorado Min Hta (LaoPDR, Makmuang Niew Thailand); Bay Damnaeub (Cambodia); Khao Malaysia,Indonesia, Singapore); Pulut Ketan (Brunei Darussalam, Pudding (Philippines); BanhXeo Nam) (Viet NomKokKhao (LaoPDR);Salukara Mont (Myanmar); Bein Krok (Thailand); Malaysia,(Indonesia, Singapore); Khanom Krouk (Cambodia); Appam/Kue Ape Penyaram (BruneiDarussalam);Nom Pancakes Snapshots ASEANonaPlate of Southeast Asia.of Southeast dishes be seenintherice-based in itsfood. Colors oftherainbow can continues to bewell represented Asia’sSoutheast landscape colorful Festive rice dishes Khanom Krok

Tumpeng served sweet asabreakfastserved dish. young coconut wineasariser, andis while topped withnutsandseedsfor asnack, Myanmar’s a sweet, fluffy centrecrispy with edges. Malaysia, andSingaporeIndonesia, has and beansprouts. orkuihapein Appam incorporating fillingofmeat asavoury banh xeo folded, isacrispy crepe served sweet ortaro corn kernels cubes. Viet Nam’s cakes whichare topped withgreen onions, Lao PDR’s nomkok khao are smallcoconut , Thailand’snom krouk brown for asweet treat. Cambodia’s Darussalam’s Brunei either onthegriddle orwok. milk to thebatter, whichisthencooked common feature istheadditionofcoconut pancake dishesmadefrom rice flour.A The region hasanimpressive range of fare, usuallypaired fish. withdried isatraditional breakfast It with milk. brown sugar, andchocolate, topped champorado rice, ismadefrom sticky rice mixture.to Philippines’ thesticky In Viet Nam,blackeyed peasare added among Cambodia, LaoPDR,and Thailand. withmango,milk andserved isshared lunar newyear. onweddings andthe is usuallyserved fruit. Believed to prosperity, bring thisdish sugar,coconut milk, andthedeep red gac rice steamedwhich consists with ofsticky rice dishesinclude Red Viet Nam’s xôi gấc, salukara from thePhilippines uses is a flat pancake bein montisaflat pancake penyaram golden isfried and and krok khanom Arroz Valenciana Pulut Ketan

in BruneiDarussalam for widerconsumption. Wajid isalsomade grainthis heirloom isnow beingproduced the royal era, theMajapahit familyduring black rice. Traditionally cultivated onlyfor rice cake,a sweet sticky whichismadefrom Purple rice dishes, includeIndonesia’s wajid, chicken, fishcrackers andsambal. toasted coconut, salted egg, marinated mixed withherbs The with dishisserved flowers,butterfly-pea a natural blue dye. blue to thetable. iscooked Rice with Malaysia’s into orturned cream rice cakes. ormilk, can beeaten onitsown, addedto ice- festival inOctober–November, dumanrice then pounded. Available theharvest after arekernels soakedinwater, cooked and whichremainrice kernel onthehusk. The green coloured rice whichgetsitshuefrom Philippines ishometo duman,anaturally The grassy green fieldsof Pampanga, whole platterastumpeng. isknown omelette, vegetables, pickles, andbeef. The by chicken,tofu, fried tempeh, shredded in thecenter oftheplatter, surrounded The rice isshapedinto acone andplaced is acommon feature at many celebrations. kuning, whichliterally meansyellow rice, oil.Indonesia’swith fishandgarlic nasi of riceandserved cooked withturmeric Myanmar’s dishes amongcountries intheregion. ofyellowThere rice-based isnoshortage fiesta andChristmas.table during hue. This popularfestive the dishadorns and tomato contributing to itshappy orange chorizo, withtheadditionofsaffron, paprika, rice, boiledeggs, coconut seafood, milk, and valenciana. madewith The dishistypically Orange canbeseeninPhilippines’ arroz nasi kerabu addsawelcomed , is a spicy snack snack nga htamin,isaspicy The ASEAN October 2020 Nasi Kerabu

Photo Credit: © boyisteady/Shutterstock; © Nawadoln/Shutterstock; © Ariyani Tedjo/Shutterstock; © AS Food studio/Shutterstock; © bonchan/Shutterstock; The ASEAN is deeply grateful to the Government of India, through the Indian Mission to ASEAN, for its support to the magazine.

This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of ASEAN and India to disseminate knowledge and information on socio-cultural development in ASEAN.

The A SEAN

Pura Besakih Temple, Bali, Indonesia Photo Credit: © Galina Savina/Shutterstock The ASEAN Secretariat ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Department Jalan Sisingamangaraja 70A, Jakarta 12110, Indonesia