STANDARDS SET AT 1ST ASEAN DISASTER RELIEF EXERCISE

More than 100 senior military personnel from the ASEAN member countries tested and validated a set of standard operating procedures that enhanced cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in an exercise that ended on 14 Jul at Cilodong, West Java, Indonesia.

While the ASEAN HADR Table-top Exercise has concluded, the validated standard operating procedures for the use of military capabilities in HADR operations and the friendships made are set to continue.

At the closing ceremony officiated by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Neo Kian Hong and his counterpart Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Admiral (ADM) Agus Suhartono, both countries - which co-hosted the exercise - spoke of the hope of continuing cooperation in the area of HADR.

"The exercise is a significant step in practical co-operation as it has further enhanced ASEAN's capacity and capability to quickly and decisively respond to natural disasters within the region," said LG Neo.

ADM Agus attributed the success of the exercise to the close ties shared between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the TNI. He added that the exercise can used as a model for other countries outside the ASEAN region to follow.

The exercise is a significant milestone for the regional grouping; marking the first time that the ASEAN military forces gathered to enhance their collective ability to deal with disaster situations.

In the first two days, participants were involved in workshops, discussions and planning sessions at the Changi Command and Control (C2) Centre in Singapore. The third day saw participants over in Cilodong witnessing a heli-evacuation exercise involving assets from the SAF and the TNI, and the distribution of relief packages to the local community.

A joint SAF-TNI medical team was also on hand to provide primary health care services to the local population living in the Cilodong area throughout the three-day exercise. Heading the 29-strong SAF medical team was Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Dr) (NS) Aymeric Lim. Our hosts were very helpful and the advance team did their jobs so well that we were able to operate smoothly the moment we arrived, said LTC (Dr) (NS) Lim, Commanding Officer, 2nd Combat Support Hospital.

The SAF medical team - comprising surgeons, anaesthetists, primary health-care physicians, medics, nurses and support staff - together with their Indonesian counterparts, saw more than 700 patients requiring basic health care and conducted about 15 surgeries.

One of the surgeries conducted by the SAF medical team was to remedy a condition which had affected the patient for eight years. "The patient was unable to move her fingers independently due to a previous burn injury which caused skin on her hand to contract," explained Major (Dr) (NS) Andrew Chin who performed the surgery to free up her fingers.

"Professionally, that was a very satisfying experience, because we were able to make a difference," said MAJ (Dr) (NS) Chin.

While providing health care to the local population, the team also took the chance to get acquainted with their counterparts' medical capabilities and foster better relations. "The Indonesians have a very impressive set-up here and it has been a positive experience, it's our privilege to able to treat some of the conditions we have seen here," added MAJ (Dr) NS) Chin.

Said LTC (Dr) Ketut Sukarnanta, Commanding Officer, Medical Battalion, 1st Division Infantry from the TNI: "We are very pleased to have the SAF working with us, and have worked out several standard operating procedures which will certainly help us in the future."