This guide serves as an initial source of information for those individuals preparing for disaster risk reduction activities or immediate deployment with Australian partner responders in crisis. Additionally, it highlights the important role Australia plays in preparing for, mitigating, and responding to, and recovering from a natural disaster or regional crisis, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. This reference book also provides disaster management decision-makers and planners greater insight into Australian Disaster Management (DM) capabilities, thereby enhancing regional civil-military response.
Discussion of Australian DM includes key areas such as their organizational structure for domestic and foreign disaster management, international DM agreements, regional training programs and exercise support. An in-depth understanding of Australian and other partner nation capabilities improves collaboration before, during and after a disaster response. Therefore, this handbook focuses on highlighting partnerships and a review of the country’s recent regional responses and efforts and is not an assessment of Australia’s capabilities.
