Taguig City, Manila: An expert from Australia briefs the Philippine Army’s 525th Engineering Combat Battalion ahead of an urban search and rescue demonstration. The experts’ visit was part of a scoping exercise by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) to build USAR capacities in the Philippines. INSARAG – a global network of more than 80 countries – works under the umbrella of the United Nations to facilitate coordination between international USAR teams in the event of major disasters. OCHA/Tristan Arao
Lipa City: Typhoon Haiyan – known locally as Yolanda – struck the Philippines in November 2013. The typhoon was one of the most powerful on record, displacing 4.1 million people and affecting more than 14 million. In the aftermath, military assets and personnel were deployed from 21 Member States to assist in relief operations, highlighting the crucial role of humanitarian civil-military coordination. JICA/Tsukasa Katsube
Quezon City: The Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) briefs the INSARAG team at its Operation Center. The NDRRMC is the country’s strategic emergency management body composed of government, non-government, civil society and private sector organizations. OCHA/Tristan Arao
Cebu City: The national Emergency Response Unit Foundation (ERUF) gives a demonstration of emergency medical assistance, one of the most acute needs following a sudden-onset disaster. The ERUF is supported by both the local government and local businesses, making it an example of active public-private partnership in disaster response. OCHA/Yosuke Okita
Quezon City: The Head of OCHA Philippines turns over the final report to the Executive Director of the NDRRMC. In it, the INSARAG team proposes 20 recommendations to pave the way for the Philippines towards meet international standards for the deployment of USAR capacities to natural disasters overseas. OCHA/Tristan Arao
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group undertakes scoping mission to disaster-prone Philippines
Canada (DFATD) 
UN, NGOs and other entities (ECHO funding through Save the Children Spain) 
United States (US-USAID-OFDA) 
Argentina 
Australia 
Austria 
Belgium 
China 
Denmark 
Estonia 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Iceland 
Ireland 
Japan 
Korea, Republic of 
Luxembourg 
Monaco 
Netherlands 
New Zealand 
Norway 
Philippines 
Portugal 
Qatar 
Russian Federation 
Saudi Arabia 
Singapore 
Sweden 
Switzerland 
Turkey 
United Arab Emirates 
United Kingdom 
