ASEAN Declaration on 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


    For the Government of the Republic of Indonesia :


    (sgd)
    ADAM MALIK
    Minister of Foreign Affairs


    For the Government of Malaysia :


    (sgd)
    TENGKU AHMAD RITHAUDDEEN
    Minister of Foreign Affairs


    For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines :


    (sgd)
    CARLOS ROMULO
    Secretary of Foreign Affairs


    For the Government of the Republic of Singapore :


    (sgd)
    S. RAJARATNAM
    Minister of Foreign Affairs


    For the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand :


    (sgd)
    BHICHAI RATTAKUL
    Minister of Foreign Affairs