ASEAN-China Strengthen Disaster Emergency Response Cooperation

Ambassadors and diplomats from ASEAN countries as well as Chinese government officials took a photo with the Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Center Chen Dehai (five right) on the sidelines of a disaster risk management symposium (ANTARA/M. Irfan Ilmie)

JAKARTA - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China strengthened cooperation in disaster emergency response by holding a symposium that brought together experts from various countries, including Indonesia.

The symposium with the theme "Together for Community Resilience" in Beijing organized by the ASEAN-China Center (ACC) was attended by ambassadors and diplomats of ASEAN member countries in Beijing, Chinese government officials and experts.

"I believe that through this symposium, we can gather many ideas and suggestions to support increased cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation in ASEAN and China," said ACC Secretary General Chen Dehai as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, August 13.

He considers Asia is the region most vulnerable to natural disasters.

China has supported the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement for the 2021-2025 Disaster Emergency Management and Response Work Program.

China has also supported the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management and the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Aid.

Meanwhile, in the 14th Period of China's Five-Year Program for Disaster Management and Mitigation until 2035, the local government has established a modernization of the control and management system for natural disasters in order to provide benefits to the people in the region.

"So, when disaster strikes, community resilience can quickly restore social, infrastructure and economic functions," Chen said.

Therefore, according to Chen, strengthening cooperation in monitoring disaster risk, early warning, disaster preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery is essential.

In the symposium, Tunggul Wicaksono, a researcher from the ASEAN Studies Center at Gadjah Mada University Yogyakarta delivered an online presentation entitled "A Glance on Disaster Risk Management".

He explained about disaster management in several ASEAN countries, such as the tsunami in Aceh in 2004, floods in Thailand (2011), and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (2013).

The speakers agreed that cooperation in disaster management must be increased, considering that China and ASEAN countries are on the map prone to disasters, especially earthquakes.