DVIDS: CFE-DMHA talks HADR lessons learned in Manila

From DVIDS (May 29): CFE-DMHA talks HADR lessons learned in Manila

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Mara Langevin, a disaster management and humanitarian assistance (DMHA) adviser for the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, gave a presentation on civil-military coordination guidelines during disaster response operations at the U.S. Naval War College 10th Regional Alumni Symposium in Manila, Philippines, May 23.

More than 100 alumni and guests attended the two-day symposium from 14 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region to discuss global maritime partnerships through a series of panels that discussed freedom of navigation, information sharing and interoperability, and lessons learned from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

“During the [humanitarian assistance and disaster response] panel, lessons learned from civil-military responses of both the Philippines and U.S. to Typhoon Haiyan were discussed, as well as the responses to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami,” said Langevin. “The presentations provided different viewpoints from individual national perspectives that can be incorporated into future coordination efforts.”

Of the many lessons of past disasters, the audience highlighted transparency and information sharing among regional responders as areas needing improvement, said Langevin. She responded by noting the availability of information databases like CFE-DMHA's Virtual Information Resource Center to archive lessons for future reference, and how increasing liaison officers, utilizing preexisting relationships and prearranged agreements can increase transparency and trust within coordination.

Members of the DMHA panel also discussed ways individual nations can incorporate lessons learned from past disaster response operations.

“We need to improve on how we manage the support, how to look beyond the [military to military support] and evoke the [U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement] to expand on HADR support, civil-military coordination and how they are managed,” said Undersecretary Benito T. Ramos, of the Philippine Office of Civil Defense.

The symposium was co-hosted by Rear Adm. Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr., president of the U.S. Naval War College, and Vice Adm. Jesus C. Milan, flag officer in command of the Philippine navy.

"Much of our future depends on the peace and stability of the maritime domain,” said Milan. “Activities such as this symposium would help cull and mine the inner depths of our visions, thoughts and ideas for creative solutions and answers."

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