This is the appropriate time to test whether it is feasible to develop a disaster quick-response system. Ideally, the militaries of member-states would form the nucleus of the mechanism. The air and naval wings are most suitable for prompt delivery of relief supplies, whereas army personnel are best equipped for repair work and for helping relief workers and volunteers in aid distribution.

Central stores, such as what United Nations agencies like United Nations Children's Fund and UN High Commissioner for Refugees maintain in dispersed locations, may be hard to administer.

Decisions on supplies are best left to individual states but the triggering of the response mechanism should be the responsibility of the ASEAN Secretariat.

As sovereignty issues will be encountered, the ASEAN leaders' summit will need to build consensus on an issue that ought not be put off much longer.

The Straits Times

(China Daily May 14, 2008)