ASEAN Kicks-off the Operationalisation of the New Satellite Warehouse in Chai Nat, Thailand
Chai Nat, Thailand – ASEAN’s second satellite warehouse that will serve as the logistics hub for the Mekong subregion was inaugurated during its operational launching on 13 December 2019 at its location at the DDPM Regional Centre 16, in Chai Nat Province, Thailand.
The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Ministry of Interior, Thailand as co-managers of the satellite warehouse were joined by representatives from the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, other partners of the AHA Centre and the private sector to inaugurate the satellite warehouse. The event kick-started the full functionality of the warehouse and signifies ASEAN’s commitment to realise the vision of One ASEAN One Response.
The satellite warehouse is designed to accommodate the ASEAN’s collective response in the region, and in particular in Thailand and the neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. The satellite warehouse is now equipped with international-standard stockpiles adjusted to ASEAN needs. The relief items are ranging from kits for the disaster-affected community to equipment to assist on-the-ground operations of the National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMO) of the affected countries as well as the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT).
During the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on 23 June 2019, the ASEAN Leaders officiated the soft launch of the ASEAN satellite warehouse in Thailand, under the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA). The soft launch was intended to introduce the satellite warehouse as one of the ASEAN mechanisms to ensure speed in the delivery of relief assistance in line with the aspiration of One ASEAN One Response. Thailand satellite warehouse will complement the existing regional stockpile stored in the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) Subang, Malaysia and another satellite warehouse located in the Philippines that was launched earlier in July 2019.
The establishment of the satellite warehouse is an embodiment of ASEAN’s effort to increase the speed, scale and solidarity of ASEAN’s collective support to ASEAN Member States affected by disasters. The AHA Centre and DDPM Thailand acknowledge the invaluable support from the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and the Ministry of Interior of Thailand to the DELSA project that has made the effort possible.
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About the AHA Centre
The AHA Centre is an inter-governmental organisation which aims to facilitate cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States and with the United Nations and international organisations for disaster management and emergency response in ASEAN region. The Centre was established by the ten ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam on 17 November 2011, through the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the AHA Centre in Bali, Indonesia. The Agreement was signed by ASEAN Foreign Ministers, witnessed by the ASEAN Leaders.
For further information, please contact:
| Ina Rachmawati
Communications Officer AHA Centre Tel: +6221 29827793 Ext. 108 E-mail: ina.rachmawati@ahacentre.org
|
Caroline Widagdo
DELSA Programme Assistant AHA Centre Tel: +6221 29827793 Ext. 108 E-mail: caroline.widagdo@ahacentre.org
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About DDPM Thailand
DDPM was established on 3 October 2002 as an agency under the Ministry of Interior of Thailand to lead disaster management in the country. As disaster situations in Thailand are aggravating due to population increase, urbanisation and impact of climate change, the establishment of DDPM aimed at creating a better and more effective mechanism to prevent disaster damage and losses. As co-manager of the Thailand satellite warehouse, DDPM supports the AHA Centre to ensure that the satellite warehouse can provide quick and effective assistance during emergency response operations primarily in the Mekong subregion.
For further information, please contact:
Pannapa Na Nan
Foreign Relations Officer
DDPM Thailand
Tel/Fax: +66 2243 5279
E-mail: aimee.dpm@gmail.com
