The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster
Management (AHA Centre) recently kicked off the project “Establishment
of an integrated information and communication technology to strengthen
the operation of AHA Centre-Phase II” (AHA ICT-Phase II project).
The 18-month project, which commenced on May 17, aims to establish
connectivity of the AHA Centre with all of national disaster management
offices (NDMOs) to ensure that all necessary data and information can be
exchanged between the two sides during disaster and non-disaster
situation.
This phase is a continuation of AHA
Centre ICT-Phase I, funded the Government of Japan through the
Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), which concentrated on establishing
ICT platforms, systems and equipment for the AHA Centre.
The 5 million USD project, also supported by the JAIF, will develop
special software to facilitate the offer of assistance from ASEAN member
states upon the request of disaster-affected countries in the region
and coordination by the AHA Centre.
Training
programmes will also be provided to the staff of both the AHA Centre and
NDMOs to manage and operate the ICT system developed under the project.
The project is expected to enhance disaster response
capability of ASEAN and its member states and further develop the
function of the AHA Centre as a regional hub for disaster management in
the region.-VNA