UMVA has learned that a major initiative, Pacific Partnership 2026, is ramping up its efforts to boost regional preparedness and coordination in disaster response, following a series of powerful earthquakes in the Indo-Pacific, including a deadly 7.8-magnitude quake in the Philippines.
The program's focus is on training first responders and the military in urban search and rescue and earthquake response operations, particularly in countries prone to earthquakes such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This comes as officials stress the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and secondary disasters like landslides.
"Preparing for natural disasters, including earthquakes and any other subsequent secondary disasters such as landslides, is within our skills set," a key figure in the initiative said. "A lot of our subject matter expert exchanges are focused on disaster scenarios to respond to earthquakes."
The initiative includes expert exchanges and field training exercises focused on urban search and rescue. These activities aim to foster cooperation and relationships among international partners, enabling them to respond more effectively in emergency situations.
"The idea here is that we do some preparedness exercises, we learn how to cooperate together, we learn how to create the relationships that we need, so if we have to respond in an emergency, we're much better prepared to do it as international colleagues," a senior official explained.
The program's alignment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' goal of maintaining strategic autonomy while engaging external partners was also clarified. The initiative is centered on non-political humanitarian priorities, focusing on enhancing disaster preparedness and resiliency within the region.
The mission addresses not only immediate disaster response but also long-term mental health impacts, including post-traumatic stress disorder, through medical and host nation outreach efforts in coordination with local and regional organizations.
The initiative includes stops in several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines, with efforts also aimed at strengthening disaster response systems and regional cooperation in Fiji and Palau.
