Translate commitment into reality<\/p>\n
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Because we are all vulnerable as human beings, we must reach
\nout to one another and join hands in tackling the miseries of the
\nhuman condition today as well as the challenges of our common,
\nlong-term survival.<\/p>\n
We in the affected countries must, first of all, strengthen
\nour transnational, multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing the
\nongoing crisis and in ensuring our preparedness to quickly and
\neffectively deal with similar crises in the future.<\/p>\n
This means transnational coordination of relevant government
\nagencies. It entails mobilizing, on a transnational basis, all
\nsectors of society -- including media and civil society -- in a
\ncommon effort at disaster prevention and management. When we
\nspeak of a \"community of caring societies\" in our region, we
\nshould be referring to this sort of massive collaboration.<\/p>\n
Let us make an intensive review of the existing regional
\nmechanisms for disaster management, strengthen them, give them
\nmuscle, and put them to good use.<\/p>\n
We have an ASEAN Regional Program on Disaster Management,
\nwhich commit members of the ASEAN family to develop a regional
\ninstrument to coordinate and make easier the movement of
\nassistance across borders.<\/p>\n
Let us now translate that commitment into concrete reality.<\/p>\n
We have a Plan of Action toward the establishment of an ASEAN
\nSecurity Community, which provides the use of military forces and
\nlogistics for rescue and relief operations.<\/p>\n
Let us now give substance to that provision of the Plan by
\nestablishing a stand-by mechanism for the instant use of military
\nand civil defense resources to save lives during a disaster.<\/p>\n
Given the experience of setting up a tsunami warning system in
\nthe Pacific Ocean area, the cost of putting up a similar system
\non the Indian Ocean rim should be much less. At any rate, as a
\nworld community, we should not be counting costs today, so that
\nin the future we will not be counting lives lost.<\/p>\n
Let us make the first move to build that system in this
\nMeeting.<\/p>\n
For transnational coordination to be effective, there must be
\nstrong national programs and mechanisms to coordinate. This means
\nthe gathering and deployment of resources to carry out capacity-
\nbuilding in all vulnerable countries.<\/p>\n
Self-reliant as we should like to be, we cannot muster all the
\nnecessary resources for emergency relief, rehabilitation and
\nreconstruction. For all affected countries, the combined costs of
\nrehabilitation and reconstruction will definitely be staggering.
\nIn this regard, we truly appreciate the help already received and
\npledges of support from governments and peoples all over the
\nworld.<\/p>\n
We must also ensure that we benefit from the experience of the
\nUnited Nations in establishing and managing a special emergency
\nfund for emergency relief efforts and for enhancing our
\npreparedness for future disasters.<\/p>\n
We must ensure the effective role played by UN offices in the
\naffected countries in coordinating emergency relief efforts. In
\nthis regard, there is a need for the UN Secretary General to
\nappoint a Special Representative to coordinate the efforts of
\nthose UN offices.<\/p>\n
We must also secure an effective role for the World Bank and
\nthe Asian Development Bank in our respective national efforts to
\nrehabilitate and reconstruct the cities, villages and the
\nlivelihood of people in the disaster areas.<\/p>\n
When the crisis has passed, let us not go back to business as
\nusual, only to become a solid community again when another
\ndisaster strikes.<\/p>\n
By habitually working together in the spirit of solidarity, we
\nsecure ourselves not only from the fury of natural disasters but
\nalso from the folly of human conflict. That, in the long term, is
\nthe only way the human race can survive.<\/p>\n
The article is an excerpt from the president's speech at the
\nSpecial ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on the Aftermath of the Earthquake
\nand Tsunami.<\/p>",
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