Brunei Darussalam is joining the ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team, ERAT, to assist Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. ERAT is jointly coordinated by the ASEAN Committee and the Government of Myanmar.
Brunei, through the National Disaster Management Centre, will be represented by the Superintendent of Fire and Rescue Services, Awang Janaidi bin Haji Gunong, who received the national flag prior to his departure to Myanmar. The flag was handed over by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Pengiran Abdul Haris bin Pengiran Haji Shahbudin.
The ERAT team comprises experts with specific knowledge in coordination and liaison, water and sanitation, health, logistics and food. The ASEAN team will prepare a report on the devastation of the cyclone and will recommend a strategy to rebuild areas affected by the killer typhoon. It is hoped that ERAT's assessment will provide useful and effective distribution of aid to the people of Myanmar.