The SASOP is a work manual that provides guides and templates for the establishment
of the ASEAN Standby Arrangement for Disaster Relief and Emergency Response, the
procedures for coordinating disaster relief and operations, the procedures for the
facilitation and utilization of civil and military assets and capabilities, and the
methodology for conducting the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response
Simulation Exercises (ARDEX) to test the effectiveness of these procedures. It requires
ASEAN member countries to conduct a disaster assessment to determine the nature and
extent of a disaster, whether a given emergency situation arises from said disaster, and
what types of assistance are needed to ensure an effective disaster relief and emergency
response. The ASEAN ERAT aims to assemble and analyze findings together with
governmental officials from affected countries to manage disaster response operations
and provide assistance effectively. SASOP is effective at the level of regional-national
relationship and coordination. It creates clearer procedures and paths to coordinate
activities and operations. However, challenges remain at the level of national-local
connectivity. As explained by a Thai official in an interview: