Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HADR)
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Global Commons
Indo-Pacific nations lead U.N. peacekeeping efforts
FORUM Staff Indo-Pacific countries have become top contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide, and their accomplishments and sacrifices will be honored along with those of other nations on International Day of U.N. Peacekeepers. On May 29, the U.N. recognizes military personnel, police officers and civilians who have helped nations torn by conflict, including the thousands who died doing so.…
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Global Commons
Vanuatu cyclone relief: Australia provides personnel, supplies, hope
Tom Abke Australia reacted quickly when a pair of tropical cyclones ripped through Vanuatu in early March 2023, leaving at least 10% of the country’s residents homeless and severely damaging schools and hospitals. Hundreds of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel spent most of March on the Pacific archipelago, assessing damage, distributing supplies and rebuilding infrastructure. The Australian government contributed over…
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Features
Integrating Excellence
Aiyana Paschal/Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Since its inception in 1994, the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM) has built crisis response capacity, enhanced coordination and collaboration, and strengthened relationships to improve the performance of United States and partner militaries during disasters. In addition to these core areas, CFE-DM has undertaken initiatives…
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Contemplations
Meet Japan’s Cyborg Cockroach, Crawling to a Disaster Near You
Story and Photo by Reuters If an earthquake strikes in the not-too-distant future, trapping survivors under tons of rubble, the first responders to find them could be swarms of cyborg cockroaches. That’s a potential application of a recent breakthrough by Japanese researchers who demonstrated the ability to mount “backpacks” of solar cells and electronics on the bugs to remotely control…
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Global Commons
French-led Croix du Sud exercise highlights HADR, combat care
FORUM Staff Troops conducted survival, combat, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) drills during the French Armed Forces-led Croix du Sud exercise April 24 to May 6, 2023. Participants from 19 countries gathered in the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia, a French territory, to share skills and improve coordination and intervention capacities. Sgt. Kinsley Parent, a French combat…
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Key Issues
Regional allies, partners ready for any natural or man-made disasters the new year may bring
FORUM Staff Indo-Pacific militaries, allies and partners prepared throughout 2022 to respond to catastrophes and disasters in the region with an expanded emphasis on strengthening capacities for a collective response to shared threats, ranging from earthquakes, floods and tsunamis to mass migrations and pandemics. In recent decades, Indo-Pacific residents have been as much as five times more likely to be…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Indonesia addressing food security in Indo-Pacific
Gusty Da Costa Collaboration and innovation are needed to ensure reliable access to food in the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said at the Atlantic Council Global Food Security Forum, held during the Group of 20 summit of the world’s leading industrial and developing nations in Bali in mid-November 2022. The forum brought together international and regional leaders,…
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Global Commons
In crisis or combat, military dogs are Philippine Army’s best friends
Felix Kim For nearly two decades, the Philippine Army’s K-9 Battalion has rescued victims of floods and landslides, tracked down militant insurgents and served in other tactical operations. Military working dogs (MWDs) again provided essential support in 2022. “These dogs have an advanced sense of smell and hearing and can run at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour while…
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Asymmetric Threats
Prescription for Success
Cooperation is pivotal to combating health threats
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Asymmetric Threats
Countering Nontraditional Security Threats
Nations must create strong partnerships to face evolving regional challenges
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