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Mutual Assistance on Natural Disasters
| Manila 26 June 1976 |
The
Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic
of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand:
REPRESENTING the Member Countries of the Association of
South East Asian Nations (hereinafter referred to as ASEAN);
DESIRING to accelerate and intensity the implementation
of the aims and purposes of the Association as embodied in the Bangkok
Declaration of 1967 and the Declaration of ASEAN Concord of 1976;
AWARE of the serious consequences of natural
disasters on the economic and social development of countries especially
those of the region;
CONSIDERING that the capacity of each Member
Country may be inadequate to provide relief in calamities of major magnitude;
BEARING IN MIND that there may arise an urgent
need for mutual assistance in the mitigation of the effects of natural
disasters and for speedy action for the rescue and relief of victims
of natural disasters; and invoking the ASEAN spirit of mutual help and
cooperation:
DO
HEREBY DECLARE THAT:
(I)
The Member Countries shall, within their respective capabilities, cooperate
in the:
a. improvement of communication channels among themselves as regards
disaster warnings;
b. exchange of experts and trainees;
c. exchange of information and documents; and
d. dissemination of medical supplies, services and relief assistance.
(II)
Each member Country shall designate national government agency to be
its internal coordinating body which will gather, collate and exchange
data pertaining to natural disasters, and that these agencies will be
principally responsible for implementing the cooperation envisioned
above.
(III)
Each Member Country shall:
a. in cases of calamities of major magnitude, upon the request from
an affected Member Country, within its capability extend such assistance
as may be needed;
b. on prior notification, undertake immediate internal arrangements
to facilitate the transit, through their respective territories, of
vessels, aircraft, authorized personnel, supplies and equipment bound
for the territory of a distressed Member Country, subject to compliance
of such requirements or formalities as may be prescribed by its laws.
(IV)
A Member Country requesting assistance shall undertake internal administrative
arrangements necessary to facilitate the entry of necessary vessels,
aircraft, authorized personnel, supplies and equipment fee from government
taxes and any other duties or charges for the purpose of rescue and
relief.
DONE in Manila on the twenty-sixth day of June 1976
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