Report on IONS HADR Workshop

DRAFT  |  24 August 2022  |  Dhaka, Bangladesh

1. IONS HADR Workshop was conducted on the theme: "Cooperative Approaches for Effective HADR Operations in the Indian Ocean Region" in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 23 to 25 August 2022. As the Co-Chair of IONS HADR Working Group, Bangladesh Navy organized the workshop in hybrid mode (Both physical and virtual), due to the ongoing pandemic. Delegates from Australia, France, India, Maldives and Thailand physically attended the workshop and delegates from Iran and France participated virtually. A total of 73 Officers from Bangladesh Navy, 12 Officers from IONS Member States, 11 Officers from sister services and 15 civilian dignitaries physically attended the seminar.
2. There were three sessions in the workshop. During the opening session, welcome address and keynote presentation were delivered. During the subsequent two sessions, four papers were presented by the delegates of Australia, India, Maldives, Thailand and France. In addition, Dept of Disaster Management and the Dept of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience of Dhaka University, Bangladesh, shared their HADR experience in Bangladesh context. Delegates from Iran and France also joined virtually and shared their experience. Capt Ahamed Amin Abdullah moderated the sessions.
3. The salient aspects derived from presentations are highlighted below:

a. Opening Address

Capt M Minarul Hoque, President Seminar Committee, delivered the welcome address. He mentioned that Indian Ocean region is highly disaster-prone and South Asia's low-lying densely populated coastal areas are particularly vulnerable causing an enormous threat to people's lives and livelihood. He highlighted the fact that the similarities in shared vulnerabilities among the Indian Ocean countries also offer opportunities for collaboration. He underscored the requirement for cooperation among the neighbouring countries and hoped that this workshop would pave the way for a coordinated, multilateral disaster management approach in all future disasters in the Indian Ocean region.

b. Key Note Speech

Cdre M Hasan Tarique Mondal, Director Naval Operations — 'Strengthening Effective HADR Operations: Prospects through Partnership'

Cdre M HasanTarique Monda!, Director Naval Operations, delivered the keynote presentation on 'Strengthening Effective HADR Operations: Prospects through Partnership'. He elaborated on Bangladesh's recent HADR experiences, the requirement for cooperative approaches for strengthening HADR Operations and the 'Prospects through Partnership' within IONS Member States. He highlighted the need for institutionalization of cooperative procedures to ensure a timely response. In light of the past HADR IWG resolutions, he proposed the following:

1. Formulation of HADR Resources Directory with regular updates for real-time location-based HADR operation.
2. Raising disaster response awareness among the IOR countries by conducting regular multinational HADR field exercises, finalization of IONS
3. HADR Guidelines, interoperable communication system and Maritime SAR guidelines for IONS member States.
4. Incorporation of international aid organizations to enhance HADR capabilities for real-time disaster deployment assistance.
5. Establishment of IONS HADR Coordination Centre for necessary coordination and smooth function of the HADR IWG.
6. Functional framework to respond at the earliest to minimize the loss of lives and property.
7. Endeavour to develop mutual trust among the member and observer countries through partnership.
8. Generate required funds for effective HADR.

c. HADR Operations by Australian Defence Forces: Past, Present & Future (Australia)

Lt Cdr Rowena Gaffney from Royal Australian Navy addressed the topic 'Australian Defence Force in HADR Operations-Past, Present and Future'. She highlighted the frequently observed hazards like cyclones, floods, and bushfires that occurred in Australia and narrated the devastation and subsequent humanitarian aid provided by the Australian Govt. She mentioned the primary role of State Emergency Services, Fire Service, local councils and utility organizations in providing primary HADR response. She highlighted on RAN present status of standby deployment plan for amphibious assets and stores during the high-risk weather season. Finally, she forecasted the plan for deploying Australian Defence Vessel Reliant for International HADR Operations.

d. Role of IONS Navies in HADR and Possible Strategies for Risk Mitigation in light of Indian Navy's Experience (India)

Col Aniket Dilip Deo from the Indian Navy (IN) addressed the topic 'Role of IONS Navies in HADR and Possible Strategies for Risk Mitigation in light of Indian Navy's Experience'. He described the IWG HADR meeting 2019 held in Mumbai, where the working groupsdeliberated upon the HADR Guidelines (draft) and highlighted there requirement for validation of HADR Guidelines through Field Training Exercise(FTX). He highlighted the events of HADR Exercise 2022 (Harbour and Sea Phase) conducted in Goa to validate the IONS HADR guidelines. The harbour phase facilitated joint training and sharing of operational experiences. The sea phase (IMEX 22)has provided a common platform to interact and share experiences on HADR operations. He mentioned that during the exercise, the IONS HADR guidelines were validated without any major observation. He also mentioned that IMEX 22 provided insight into the existing capabilities and working structures of respective navies for disaster management.

e. Experience Sharing by Department of Disaster Management (Bangladesh).

Syed Ashraf UI Islam, from Bangladesh Department of Disaster Management(DDM) presented on the topic 'The Challenges of High Availability Disaster Recovery support and the role of DDM in future'. He highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation during any humanitarian operation to mitigate human suffering. He mentioned some of the legal interoperability guidelines for the use of foreign military and civil defence assets in natural disasters. He cited examples of Oslo Guidelines 1994, UNCLOS 1982, MSAR 1979, SOLAS 1974, International Aeronautical Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters (November 2011), United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management on Emergency Response, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) involvement, BIMSTEC involvement, WMO protocol, IOC/IOTWC/OTGA advisories and notifications. He highlighted a few existing limitations of the use of foreign military and civil defence assets during natural disasters and recommended the following 'HADR Landscape Guidelines':

1. Sharing of information technology, big data and technological innovations for humanitarian action.
2. Developing SOP for HADR operations to facilitate effective planning and execution as the disaster relief operations are time sensitive and require detailed planning.
3. Carrying out regular HADR exercises by all specialized stakeholders.
4. Involvement of civil administration for building HADR platforms, building logistic center sand building cooperation.

f. Interoperability Among Various National Stakeholders for Integrated HADR Operations in light of Recent Experience (Maldives)

Lt Cdr Anwar Zahir from Maldives National Defence Force addressed on 'Interoperability Among Various National Stakeholders for Integrated HADR Operations in light of Recent Experience'. He described the geography of Maldives and associated climate hazards like cyclonic winds, coastal flooding, heavy rainfall and droughts. He mentioned the roles and responsibilities of Maldives National HADR Stakeholders like the National Disaster Management Authority and National Emergency Operation Plan. He also explained Maldives National Disaster Management Act 2015, aimed to promote an integrated and coordinated system for disaster management in case of national and overseas emergencies. He mentioned the limitations in existing HADR capabilities like geographical challenges, scarcity of resources, lack of inter-agency coordination and cooperation. He recommended the following initiatives for successful HADR operations:

1. Establishment of National Disaster Management Council.
2. Establishment of Disaster Management Committee
3. Formulation of National Emergency Response Force.
4. Resolving existing conflicts within the mandates of agencies.
5. Integrating HADR plan into the overarching response mechanism.
6. Building capacity in emergency planning and prepositioning of assets.
7. Acquiring transportation and communication assets.
8. Developing national level emergency operation centre.
9. Conducting national level drills and exercises.

g. Geographic Information System and Data Bank: Viable Tools for Effective HADR Operation (Thailand)

Capt Kiatiyut Tiansuwan from Royal Thai Navy addressed the topic 'GIS and Data Bank: Viable Tools for Effective HADR Operations: The Implication for the Royal Thai Navy'. The speaker mentioned the practical application of Geographic Information System and Data Bank by the Royal Thai Navy in Disaster Relief Operations. He illustrated GIS technology as a viable way for disaster risk reduction by resembling 'Site Reference' and sharing 'Big Data'. He explained the benefits of using GIS to provide sources for quick assessing and analyzing of the situation, real-time tracking and assisting in immediate response. For effective interoperability for military mission supports, he explained GIS's web application for maritime Search and Rescue Planning, Incident Positioning and Tracking.

h. French Navy & HADR: Main Principles, Recent Operations, Examples of Cooperation (France)

Lt Col Joseph Richard from France briefed on the topic 'French Navy & HADR: Main Principles, Recent Operations, Examples of Cooperation'. He elaborately described the main principles of HADR operations, 'Emergency Response to Crises Abroad 'followed by the French Navy. He also emphasized the spirit of cooperation witnessed in the latest HADR operations. He mentioned Cyclone Enawo in Madagascar (March 2017), Cyclone Gita in Tonga (February 2018),Earthquake in Papua New Guinea (magnitude 7.5, March 2018), Cyclone ldai in Mozambique (March 2019), Cyclone Harold in Vanuatu (April 2020), Underwater Volcano Eruption in Tonga (January 2022) where French Navy actively participated in HADR operations. He highlighted that these operations could be effectively carried out only due to civil-military, interagency and international cooperation. He underlined the importance of preparedness to intervene in large-scale humanitarian operations in the Indian Ocean Region. He mentioned the French Navy's initiatives in preparation for 'Strategic Vision For 2030'with necessary HADR assets (multipurpose vessels with significant carrying capacity and medical support, drones, maritime surveillance aircrafts) and specialized personnel, trained for HADR deployment. This 'French strategic vision 2030' also includes the fundamental principles of emergency intervention, general framework, practical planning and guideline of HADR operations. He introduced five main objectives throughout any HADR operations logistical support for all, helping people in danger, meeting the vital needs of living disaster victims, handling the dead and maintaining a calm environment. Finally, here commended a few points for planning and conducting any HADR operations :

1. Healthy relations with the host country.
2. Carrying out of effective initial reconnaissance mission.
3. Establishing communication and media facilities.
4. Emphasising funding issues.
5. Healthy relations with NGOs.
6. Emphasising the psychological state of both people being rescued and the relief workers.

j. Knowledge Sharing by Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience, Dhaka University (Bangladesh)

Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Chairman, Dept of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience of Dhaka University delivered his speech on the topic 'Hazards in Bangladesh'. He mentioned that floods, cyclones with storm surges, earthquakes, landslides, lightning with the thunderstorm, riverbank erosion, water logging, building collapse, manmade fire, etc are frequent hazards observed in Bangladesh. He stated that the occurrence of natural hazards depends mainly on geographical location, topographical, geomorphological, geological condition and tectonic setting. He portrayed the devastation of flood inundation in the old Brahmaputra River and monsoonal flood in Padma River by extent mapping, damage assessment and assessing mitigation measures. He illustrated the consequences of Cyclone and Storm Surge, their extent and impact assessment. He mentioned the extent and impacts of riverbank and coastal erosion along the coastline in Kuakata by describing the zones of erosion and accretion between1989-2020. He mentioned the possible hazard, risk assessments, response and rescue measures for earthquakes, landslides, Climate Change, Salinity and Environmental degradation. In this note, he analyzed the stability of BhasanChar Island as a planned accommodation for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals. He recommended the following issues:

1. Policy support for HADR funding, capacity enhancement and interoperability between agencies for effective HADR operations.
2. Capacity building, expertise sharing and knowledge dissemination by arranging training, conference, seminar, workshop, etc.

k. Online participation by French and Iranian Representatives

Capt Agil Shafa'at, International Relations Manager from the Iranian Navy highlighted the importance of cooperation for successful HADR operations and presented the Iranian experience through a virtual presentation. Lt Cdr Cedric Tessier from French Navy also joined virtually and shared his experience of the recently held HADR Exercise off Goa 'IMEX 2022'.There were considerable interactions during both Q&A sessions.

l. Comments of IONS Co-Chair Representative from India

At the end of the sessions, representative of India Cdre Shantonu Jha expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh Navy for the successful organization of IONS HADR workshop and suggested to ratify IONS HADR Guidelines, after a successful trial during IMEX 22 where Bangladesh, France, India and Iran participated.

Recommendations to IONS Secretariat

The following recommendations were derived from the IONS HARD workshop, Dhaka which may be shared with IONS Secretariat:

1. Finalization and ratification of IONS HADR Guidelines, development of Maritime SAR guidelines and interoperable communication system among IONS member States.
2. Raising Disaster Response Awareness among IOR countries by conducting regular field exercises.
3. Formulation of IONS HADR Resource Directory.
4. Collaboration among various civil-military stakeholders within the country and cross-border cooperation among IONS member States.
5. Incorporation of international aid organizations for real-time disaster deployment assistance.
6. Establishment of IONS HADR Coordination Centre for necessary coordination and smooth function of the HADR IWG.
7. Generate required funds for effective HADR.