Standard Operating Procedures for Regional Standby Arrangements for the Coordination of the Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response (SASOP)

SASOP provides (i) the guides and templates to initiate the establishment of the ASEAN Standby Arrangements for Disaster Relief and Emergency Response, (ii) the procedures for joint disaster relief and emergency response operations, (iii) the procedures for the facilitation and utilisation of military and civilian assets and capacities, and (iv) the methodology for the periodic conduct of the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercises (ARDEX) which shall test the effectiveness of these procedures.

Reading guide questions:

• What are the different forms through which ASEAN Member States communicate about impending disasters, requests and offers of assistance?
• What are Standby Arrangements? Are they obligatory or voluntary?