The AADMER is a legally binding agreement ratified by all of ASEAN’s member
states. It calls on political commitment and concrete implementation from national
governments to local communities within the nations. AADMER is designed to help
ASEAN and national governments to conduct comprehensive disaster management
processes within the region. It covers all aspects of disaster management from before,
during, and after a disaster. Before a disaster, the agreement requires participants to
conduct disaster risk identification, assessment and monitoring; to establish, maintain and periodically review their early warning systems; to develop strategies for disaster
response that reduces losses caused by disasters; and to earmark assets and capacities
that might support regional standby preparations for disaster relief and emergency
response. During a disaster, the agreement provides details pertaining to an emergency
response, including how to request, provide and direct assistance. After a disaster, the
agreement requires ASEAN member countries to coordinate in developing and
implementing strategies and projects that will aid in rehabilitation after a disaster. In
sum, AADMER concentrates on building a nation's capacity for disaster management to
help itself before requesting international assistance. As sound as these principles of
disaster management might be, many countries are not prompt in systematizing risk
assessment and fully providing informed reporting on their disaster response needs.