Manila, 14 November 2020 – The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) has released most of the relief items stockpiled at the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN or DELSA Satellite Warehouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the Philippines, to augment the government’s ongoing efforts to help typhoon-affected people in the Philippines. The DELSA Satellite Warehouse was set up in 2019, and is co-managed by the AHA Centre and the Office of Civil Defense of the Philippines.

Facilitated by the OCD of the Philippines, the first batch of ASEAN relief items will be transported by Navy vessel tomorrow from Pier No.15, Port of Manila to Bicol Region, the region most affected by Super Typhoon GONI, or locally named ROLLY, which landed in the Philippines on 1 November 2020. The second batch is currently being coordinated to be transported to OCD Mimaropa. Within just a short span of few weeks, the Philippines has experienced extreme weather disturbances, including Tropical Storm SAUDEL, Typhoon MOLAVE, Tropical Storm ATSANI, Typhoon GONI, Tropical Storm ETAU, and recently, Typhoon VAMCO or locally named ULYSSES.

The ASEAN relief items, worth almost USD900,000, are comprised of 2,946 rolls of tarpaulins, 100 shelter repair kits, 1000 kitchen sets, 5000 mosquito nets, 5700 family kits, 5010 jerry cans, 74 outdoor family tents, as well as 1000 indoor family tents that can be used by affected families inside evacuation centres.

Ms Adelina Kamal, the Executive Director of the AHA Centre, mentioned that the mobilisation of ASEAN relief items, supported by Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and Direct Relief, represents tangible ASEAN’s solidarity in the spirit of ‘One ASEAN, One Response’. “The AHA Centre has been monitoring the disaster situation in the Philippines since October 2020 when several weather disturbances were first identified”. She added “When we gathered and received information about the potential impacts caused by these extreme weather disturbances, our Emergency Operations Centre was activated, and this includes working closely with our counterpart at the OCD of NDRRMC in the Philippines as well as other ASEAN countries and partners for potential regional support”.

To provide situational awareness and common operating picture on the effects of extreme weather disturbances including Super Typhoon GONI (locally known as ROLLY), the AHA Centre organised an executive briefing on 4 November 2020, attended by Secretary-General of ASEAN, ASEAN Member States, diplomatic missions, defence attachés  and humanitarian partners, with the OCD of NDRRMC Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad providing briefing on the latest situation and effects of the super typhoon.

The AHA Centre continues its monitoring efforts of disasters in the region, including the effects of Typhoon VAMCO, and stands ready to provide further support. “The Philippines has been tested by multiple tropical cyclones, floods and other weather disturbances, within just a span of few weeks. Our hearts and prayers are with the typhoon-affected communities. We believe that the Filipino spirit is stronger than any typhoon,” Ms Adelina concluded.

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About the AHA Centre:

The AHA Centre is an inter-governmental organisation established by ten ASEAN Member States on 17 November 2011 with the aim to facilitate cooperation and coordination amongst ASEAN Member States and with relevant United Nations and international organisations in promoting regional collaboration in disaster management. The AHA Centre is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

To subscribe to disaster situation updates in the region, please go to AHA Centre’s website www.wordpress-144887-2329511.cloudwaysapps.com and social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Moch Syifa, Communications Officer of the AHA Centre

Email                   : moch.syifa@ahacentre.org

Mobile                : +6281553514882

The DELSA relief items in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the Philippines, are supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), and the Direct Relief.