Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HADR)
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Features
Prevailing Over Health and Humanitarian Challenges
Celebrating 50 Years of FORUM Dr. Sebastian Kevany. Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies To provide more effective responses to 21st century challenges in the Indo-Pacific — such as those involving health, climate, economics, cyber and maritime security — defense departments and other government agencies have knocked down silos. Branches of government look to constantly innovate and aim…
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Partnerships
Balikatan 2025 highlights multinational commitment to Philippine security, Indo-Pacific stability
FORUM Staff Japan joined the multinational military exercise Balikatan in the Philippines for the first time in late April 2025, participating alongside Australian, Philippine and United States forces. Observers came from 16 nations: Brunei, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Lithuania, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. The Japan Maritime…
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Global Commons
Myanmar junta limits aid in earthquake-stricken areas, continues assault, U.N. says
Reuters Myanmar’s military junta is withholding critical humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in areas where it perceives opposition to its rule, the United Nations human rights office said. The U.N. also said it is investigating dozens of reported attacks by the ruling junta against its opponents since the earthquake struck in late March 2025. Those include airstrikes, 16 of which…
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Global Commons
Japan Self-Defense Forces crucial in containing historic fires
Felix Kim The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) played a central role in containing wildfires in February and March 2025, including Japan’s largest fire in 50 years. JSDF aircraft and personnel battled blazes alongside local first responders in Iwate and Yamanashi prefectures, both on the main island of Honshu. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said in early March that 11 JSDF…
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Global Commons
Entering fifth decade, USNS Mercy still boosting humanitarian and disaster response
FORUM Staff The hospital ship USNS Mercy — “a floating medical marvel” — marks the 40th anniversary of its launch in 2025. The four-decade anniversary of its United States Navy commission comes in 2026. The ship, which is critical to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command humanitarian aid and disaster response (HADR) missions, didn’t start out as a medical facility. The National Steel…
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Global Commons
‘Komcad’ reserve force augments Indonesia’s military capabilities
Gusty Da Costa A reserve unit is helping the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ (TNI) active-duty troops address conventional and unconventional threats. The Komponen Cadangan, or “Komcad,” launched in 2021. The voluntary, part-time force comprises three branches within the TNI — Land Reserve, Sea Reserve and Air Reserve — and has more than 9,000 personnel. Komcad embodies the overall defense strategy…
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Global Commons
Blue Pacific group oversees regional disaster recovery, humanitarian efforts
FORUM Staff In a sprawling Pacific Ocean region prone to natural disasters, a new multinational response team is streamlining recovery assistance to island nations and territories. Australia’s influential role, meanwhile, enhances its position as the Blue Pacific nations’ primary security collaborator. The Pacific Response Group (PRG) enables far-flung states to help each other with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Recovery…
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Global Commons
Philippine-U.S. cooperation supports humanitarian relief amid destructive typhoon season
FORUM Staff The Philippines-United States Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which enables the countries to train together, respond to humanitarian crises and achieve modernization goals, helped Manila prepare for and respond to a series of typhoons in late 2024. As U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced an additional $1 million in relief aid for the Philippines in November, Philippine President…
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Global Commons
Indonesian Navy’s goodwill mission strengthens ties with South Pacific nations
Gusty Da Costa Indonesia has embarked on a diplomatic initiative to bolster relations with South Pacific island nations with the launch of a 48-day naval goodwill voyage. The hospital ship KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991, a key component of the Indonesian Navy, set sail in early October 2024 for Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The deployment…
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Partnerships
Multinational exercises in Philippines: ‘Partnerships that allow us to maintain peace and stability’
FORUM Staff Philippine and United States forces, joined by participants from six nations, conducted near-simultaneous military exercises in and around the Philippines in October 2024. Exercise Sama Sama, a Filipino phrase meaning togetherness, expanded in its eighth iteration to include training on shore and in waters off the northern Philippines, building on a legacy of Philippine-U.S. maritime collaboration. Part of…
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