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NTS Bulletin September 2012

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NTS VIEWPOINT

Disaster preparedness: Still lacking in ASEAN?

By Gianna Gayle H. Amul

Apart from being prone to seasonal floods and storms, most ASEAN member states straddle the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. However, compared to the relentless onslaught of natural calamities in the region, the development of ASEAN’s disaster mitigation mechanisms has been sluggish, if not long overdue.

Over the past year alone, ASEAN countries have reeled from multiple natural disasters – floods and drought in Thailand, monsoon floods in Myanmar, monsoon floods and typhoons in Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flash floods in Indonesia.

In August, floods caused by monsoon rains followed by two typhoons brought Manila to a standstill, affecting more than 3 million people. In Indonesia, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Sulawesi island, isolating victims as landslides blocked land transportation routes in the mountainous areas. Downed communication lines made evacuation, rescue and even damage assessment difficult. Affected villages were further devastated by flash floods not long after the earthquake.

The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) was thus a welcome initiative. However, progress was initially slow. The AADMER entered into force only in 2009 – six years after it was signed. The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre), part of the AADMER’s stipulations, was finally launched in 2011.

Recent developments, however, give cause for cautious optimism. The AHA Centre, which serves as the coordination, mobilisation and resource hub for disaster-affected areas, currently maintains the ASEAN Disaster Information network, an interactive, community-based platform supplying situation updates on disasters in the region. It also set up a Disaster Monitoring and Response System in April this year.

With natural disasters raising concerns about adequate shelter, food and basic healthcare for affected and displaced communities, the AHA Centre’s performance in developing ASEAN’s strategies and actions for disaster risk and response management needs to be stepped up.

In this regard, learning the critical value of collaboration on disaster management among ASEAN, national governments and international humanitarian agencies is not enough. A legal framework is being negotiated by ASEAN’s defence ministers and its dialogue partners to allow the region to efficiently use the pooled resources of their security sectors for regional disaster risk and response management. The AHA Centre must be the focal point of this framework.

The AHA Centre could also promote greater community-level resiliency through adaptation mechanisms such as innovations in financing, architecture and engineering technology. It could harness social media to disseminate information, as well as raise awareness, on disaster preparedness mechanisms such as early warning and monitoring systems. This is where public-private partnerships can be valuable in furthering the objectives of the AHA Centre.

Overall, then, while developments such as the AADMER and the AHA Centre suggest that ASEAN is on track to becoming more strategic in preparing for disasters, the region still has a long, challenging route ahead when it comes to enhancing the region’s capacity for disaster preparedness, response and management.

Gianna Gayle H. Amul is a research analyst with the Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Singapore.

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CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY AND NATURAL DISASTERS

News & Commentaries

Selected Publications

Ewing, J. Jackson and Tarun Gopalakrishnan, 2012, ‘Rio 20+ Incorporated? Assessing diplomatic outcomes and private sector actions on sustainable development’, NTS Insight, August, Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies.

This article builds on the earlier May 2012 NTS Alert entitled ‘Back to the future: Is Rio+20 a 1992 redux or is there cause for optimism?’ that highlights the value of non-state channels in climate change negotiations. The article argues that the private sector is emerging as a significant driver of innovation and action on sustainability, but notes that caution is warranted due to the varied motivations of private sector actors.

Zhang, Qingfeng and Robert Crooks, 2012, Toward an environmentally sustainable future: Country environmental analysis of the People’s Republic of China, Mandaluyong City: Asian Development Bank.

This report highlights China’s progress over the past five years on environmental issues such as water pollution, water scarcity and solid waste. Proposed solutions for dealing with the country’s environmental issues include a green taxation system, monetary and legal reforms as well as a national regulatory framework whereby the government or private sector would bear the costs of providing ecological services for households, communities or local governments.

Dinshaw, Ayesha, Aarjan Dixit and Heather McGray, 2012, Information for climate change adaptation: Lessons and needs in South Asia, Working paper, Washington, DC: World Resources Institute.

Governments, businesses and citizens in South Asia all need access to good information to make decisions. It is argued, however, that uncertainties relating to potential climate change impacts and vulnerabilities make the ‘adaptation information agenda’ unclear. Avenues for further research are identified and discussed.

Events & Announcements

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ENERGY AND HUMAN SECURITY

News & Commentaries

Selected Publications

Basrur, Rajesh and Koh Swee Lean Collin (eds), 2012, Nuclear power and energy security in Asia, London and New York: Routledge.

This book brings together both advocates and critics of nuclear power, with a focus on the economic, environmental and security implications of harnessing nuclear energy in Asia in light of increasing demands for energy and the rising economic and environmental costs of traditional energy sources. It also looks at engaging civil society in the politics of nuclear energy and on the prospects for nuclear energy in the post-Fukushima era.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2012, IAEA Annual Report 2011, Vienna.

This report provides an overview of the IAEA programmes and activities that address nuclear technology-related challenges such as energy security; human health and food security; water resources management; and nuclear safety and non-proliferation. The report also details the agency’s response to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Tazaki, Makiko and Yusuke Kuno, 2012, ‘The contribution of multilateral nuclear approaches (MNAs) to the sustainability of nuclear energy’, Sustainability, Vol. 4, No. 9, pp. 1755–75.

This article reviews proposals for multilateral nuclear approaches (MNAs) that had been made from the 1940s to the present, and offers a set of criteria on sustainable nuclear energy use that could be applied to new MNAs. It highlights nuclear non-proliferation and assurance of supply as the most critical and challenging of those criteria, followed by access to technology, multilateral involvement, sites of MNA facilities, legal arrangements, political and public acceptance, economics, nuclear safety, nuclear liability, transportation and geopolitics.

Events & Announcements

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FOOD AND HEALTH SECURITY

News & Commentaries

Selected Publications

Linn, Johannes F. (ed.), 2012, Scaling up in agriculture, rural development, and nutrition, Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

This collection of policy briefs outlines developments and setbacks in efforts to scale up development interventions in agriculture, rural development, and nutrition. ‘Scaling up’ refers to expansion, replication and adaptation efforts to improve productivity and address food insecurity and poverty. The publication also provides lessons for the future under the broad headings of rural community engagement, the importance of value chains, the intricacies of scaling up nutrition interventions, the lessons learned from institutional approaches, and the experience of international aid donors.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), 2012, The state of world fisheries and aquaculture – 2012, Rome: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.

This annual publication gives an overview of the environmental and economic challenges faced by fisheries and the aquaculture sector. The 2012 edition outlines strategies to address these challenges, which threaten not only the sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture industries, but also the food security of millions who rely on fish and other seafood for nourishment. The report examines a wide range of concerns including the mainstreaming of gender issues in fisheries and aquaculture, disaster preparedness, and food safety.

Events & Announcements

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INTERNAL AND CROSS-BORDER CONFLICT

News & Commentaries

Selected Publications

Abiew, Francis Kofi, 2012, ‘Humanitarian action under fire: Reflections on the role of NGOs in conflict and post-conflict situations’, International Peacekeeping, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 203–16.

This article argues that the politicisation of humanitarian action by Western governments has contributed to increasing attacks on humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs). A return to traditional principles of humanitarianism, that is, neutrality, impartiality and independence, is necessary as it separates humanitarian action from political agendas and thus protects NGOs.

Kyaw, Yin Hlaing, 2012, ‘Understanding recent political changes in Myanmar’, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 197–216.

The recent political changes in Myanmar are a result of shifts in the internal power structure of the government and pressure from domestic economic problems. Positive international response and the cooperation of the opposition camp have also led to the reform process moving forward. However, there are still many uncertainties over political reforms, such as the division between the government and the opposition over how reforms should be paced.

Events & Announcements

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TRANSNATIONAL CRIME

News & Commentaries

Selected Publications

Quayson, Ato and Antonela Arhin (eds), 2012, Labour migration, human trafficking and multinational corporations: The commodification of illicit flows, London and New York: Routledge.

Although much of the literature on human trafficking focuses on the sex trade, a great deal of such trafficking involves migrant workers compelled to seek better life opportunities abroad, especially in agriculture, construction and domestic work. This volume addresses issues of labour exploitation in relation to these migrant workers. It also looks at the extent to which large multinational corporations are involved, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in human trafficking.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2012, Migrant smuggling in Asia: A thematic review of literature, Bangkok.

This review aims to identify gaps in what is known about the smuggling of migrants around and from outside Asia. It observes that the available literature on irregular migration only contributes in a limited way to increasing the understanding of migrant smuggling, largely due to a lack of clarity on terminology. It further notes that migrant smuggling has not attracted a critical amount of attention within the research community and that accurate data on the extent of migrant smuggling either rarely exists or cannot be accessed by researchers.

Events & Announcements

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WATER SECURITY

News & Commentaries

Selected Publications

Lindström, Andreas and Jakob Granit, 2012, Large-scale water storage in the water, energy and food nexus: Perspectives on benefits, risks and best practices, SIWI Paper No. 21, Stockholm: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

This paper looks at a variety of large-scale water storage schemes and explores the risks and trade-offs involved. It analyses the potential benefits for agricultural and energy production, as well as for water supply and economic development; and assesses the environmental and social impacts. It also discusses best practices, and identifies trends, such as the growth of cities and rising demand for renewable energy, that would create opportunities for the development of large-scale water storage facilities.

Jägerskorg, Anders and Torkil Jønch Clausen (eds), 2012, Feeding a thirsty world: Challenges and opportunities for a water and food secure future, Report No. 31, Stockholm: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

This report reviews links between water and food security as part of the thematic scope of the 2012 World Water Week. It provides insights into new research, perspectives and approaches on food and water security challenges. Issues covered include water and food linkages, gender aspects of agricultural water management, food waste, water consumption, early warning systems for water in agriculture, and the land-food-water nexus of land acquisitions.

Events & Announcements

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You are free to publish this material in its entirety or only in part in your newspapers, wire services, internet-based information networks and newsletters and you may use the information in your radio-TV discussions or as a basis for discussion in different fora, provided full credit is given to the author(s) and the Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). Kindly inform the publisher (NTS_Centre@ntu.edu.sg) and provide details of when and where the publication was used.

About the Centre:

The Centre for NTS Studies, based in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), was inaugurated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan in May 2008. The Centre maintains research in the fields of Climate Change, Food Security, Energy Security, Health Security, as well as Internal and Cross Border Conflict. It produces policy-relevant analyses aimed at furthering awareness and building capacity to address NTS issues and challenges in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. The Centre also provides a platform for scholars and policymakers within and outside Asia to discuss and analyse NTS issues in the region.

The Centre is the Coordinator of the ASEAN-Canada Research Partnership (2012�2015) supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. It also serves as the Secretariat of the initiative.

In 2009, the Centre was chosen by the MacArthur Foundation as a lead institution for its three-year Asia Security Initiative (2009�2012), to develop policy research capacity and recommend policies on the critical security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific. It is also a founding member and the Secretariat for the Consortium of Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies in Asia (NTS-Asia).

More information on the Centre can be found at www.rsis.edu.sg/nts.