I. BACKGROUND

1. 2009 ASEAN REGIONAL FORUMVOLUNTARY DEMONSTRATION OF RESPONSE (ARF-VDR) ON DISASTER RELIEF EXERCISE

2. I. BACKGROUND • In June 2008, the United States of America and the Philippines agreed to co-sponsor the first ARF field exercise, the Voluntary Demonstration of Response (VDR) on Disaster Relief, in 2009. • During the 24 July ARF Ministerial Meeting in Singapore, ARF Ministerial gave a mandate for ARF disaster relief cooperation to increase civilian-military cooperation.

3. II. RULES/CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION • The VDR is a civilian-led, military-supported event. Military participation will be humanitarian in nature and under the direction of civilian agencies. • Both civilian and military personnel may provide humanitarian assistance. Military participation should be at the smallest unit size feasible for effective assistance. Final determination on the numbers of participants/observers is at the discretion of the host country.

4. II. RULES/CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION • All participants/observers from countries without an agreement on the status of their military forces in the Philippines must obtain visas through the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. • Prior approval by the Philippine Government is required on the entry to Philippine territory of military and civil defense assets, such as military aircrafts and vessels, search and rescue equipment and supplies, in accordance with the ARF Guidelines and Oslo Guidelines.

5. II. RULES/CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION • Role of foreign military assets personnel invited to support and complement humanitarian personnel in the VDR shall, to the extent possible, provide operational support only. Distinction between normal functions and roles of humanitarian and military stakeholders shall be maintained (ref. “Oslo Guidelines on the Use of Foreign Military and Civilian Defense Assets in Disaster Relief” ).

6. II. RULES/CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION • Absent a status of visiting forces agreement with the Philippines governing their entry and stay, military and civilian personnel from other ARF participants shall be subject to domestic jurisdiction, including application criminal, civil, immigration and customs laws and regulations, and shall not be entitled to immunities and privileges under such SOVFA.

7. II. RULES/CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION • All participants/observers will be self-funded. • Participants should plan to attend all planning conferences.

8. III. VDR SCENARIO • VDR will involve a Super-Typhoon (Signal No. 4/ Category 5) with landfall and widespread catastrophic destruction with thousands dead and tens of thousands displaced, severe infrastructure damage, disease outbreak and significant public services interruption.

9. IV. INDICATIVE AREAS FOR DEMONSTRATION OF RESPONSES • Repair of damaged structures • Medical supplies • Veterinary care • Sanitation services • Portable water • Road repair • Debris removal • Movement of relief supplies • Search and rescue (air, land, sea) • Customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ)

10. V. VDR PLANNING EVENTS • 19-23 January 2009: Multinational Initial Planning Conference, Manila • 26-28 January 2009: Civilian/Military Command/Coordination Center and VDR location/s Initial Site Survey, Clark & Subic Bay areas • 09-13 March 2009: Multinational Final Planning Conference, Manila • 16-18 March 2009: Civilian/Military Command/Coordination Center and VDR location/s Final Site Survey, Clark & Subic Bay Areas

11. VDR EXECUTION - Advice on Administrative Arrangements to follow • 01 May 2009: Arrival of participants (No earlier arrival) • 04-08 May 2009: ARF VDR event, Central Luzon, Philippines • 10 May 2009: Last day of departure of participants