Humanitarian assistance and Disaster response was the focus as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) members met in Kuala Lumpur April 9-10.  The workshop discussed how to enhance collaboration and efficiencies in disaster response exercises.   In particular, participants looked at how to best make use of available resources and improve the quality of the efforts of all nations by way of a coordinated effort and strategy.  The workshop pointed out existing capacities as well as gaps that need to be addressed via a robust and rationalized exercise program. 

ARF partners contributed to the workshop by sharing their experiences and expertise.  In doing so, participants reviewed lessons learned from past exercise planning as well as recent regional adversities such as typhoons, earthquakes and Tsunamis.  ASEAN’s multilateral approach to security issues promotes a stable and secure environment and it is a focal point for disaster management in the region.  Workshop co-sponsors Malaysia, Australia, and the U.S.  are leaders in regional cooperation especially with regards to disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. 

U.S Pacific Command (USPACOM) representatives were among the U.S. delegates and those of other ARF member nations Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.