MPAT Nations Practice Disaster Relief Procedures, Improve Regional Disaster Response in Philippines

The U.S. Pacific Command Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT) conducted a “Tempest Express” workshop in Manila from March 26 to April 3 to focus on disaster response efforts in the Philippines by local, national, regional and international actors.

This was the second major MPAT event hosted in the Philippines since the MPAT inception in 2000. The first event was MPAT Tempest Express-1 in November 2000, which was attended by 19 nations.

The workshop scenario focused on the planning and coordination required for quick response to a major (7.2 magnitude) earthquake in the metropolitan area of Manila. The response efforts were led by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.

Twenty-four nations sent 93 military personnel to participate. Philippines government interagency participation was provided by all elements of the national government, the government of Metro Manila and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Humanitarian participation consisted of representatives from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and Philippine National Red Cross.
Collaboration of this nature, which includes both military and non-military organizations, helps to establish and strengthen partnerships that are vital to effective crisis response throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Key objectives for the workshop centered around promoting better understanding of the disaster management and emergency response systems of the Philippines, the ASEAN nations, humanitarian community, and international militaries and improving the coordination between the various major actors.

The workshop closing ceremonies were presided over by Maj. Gen. Carlos B. Holganza, the deputy chief of staff for operations, J3, for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Tom, U.S. Pacific Command chief of staff, who both delivered comments on the importance of improving international cooperation in disasters.

(This blog was written By Scott Weidie, the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team Program Manager for U.S. Pacific Command)