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UN Humanitarian Chief Opens Second Regional Consultative Group on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination for Asia and The Pacific

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(Bangkok, 11 October 2016): Humanitarian, civilian and military actors today came together to find joint solutions to improve the response to the natural disasters that affect Asia-Pacific.

Representatives from militaries from across the region are meeting with humanitarian counterparts at the Second Session of the Regional Consultative Group on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination for Asia and the Pacific, to discuss how all actors can be more efficient and effective, focusing on strengthening coordination and coherence of operational plans.

“More actors are responding to emergencies, and emergencies are occurring with greater intensity and are outlasting the traditional solutions that short-term tools can deliver,” said UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien at the opening of the event in Bangkok. “Despite immense challenges, immense progress is being made to bring together humanitarian, civilian and military actors in Asia, to prepare for and respond to disasters in the most effective way possible.”

Civil-military coordination work globally ranges from the coordination of foreign military assets during disasters, to negotiating access in conflict. In the Asia-Pacific region, national and foreign militaries often play a crucial role in disaster response, bolstering civilian interventions, when appropriate, with unique assets and capabilities.

National militaries are already part of a robust local capacity to respond and are often the first responders. In larger disasters, national efforts may be augmented by regional and international actors, including foreign militaries.

"The humanitarian operating environment is evolving with more actors, organizations, networks and even military forces taking on frontline humanitarian roles,” said Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad, Executive Director NDRRMC and Administrator OCD, Government of the Philippines. “The humanitarian system must ensure there is an established platform which fosters dialogue, interaction, information exchange, and joint planning at all levels. The RCG on Civil-Military Coordination provides the opportunity to advance multi-agency and multi-sector response planning."

Brigadier General John Jansen, Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade noted, “As the first U.S. Military disaster response forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region, we in the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade take our responsibilities very seriously. The Regional Consultative Group is our absolute best venue to meet with, and share ideas with this wonderful community of passionate, professional, first responders.”

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