Humanitarianism in the Asia-Pacific: Engaging the Debate in Policy and Practice (SpringerBriefs in Political Science)

This collection offers insights of the international humanitarian system, considering what constitutes humanitarianism in Asia-Pacific, and how it shapes policy and practice in the region and globally. It adds to the conversation on reforming the global humanitarian system by providing the space to share perspectives on humanitarian action from our place in the world. The authors answer these questions by focusing on a range of issues from national to sectoral perspectives to relations between ‘traditional’ and ‘emerging’ players, concluding that the dynamics of the humanitarian system from the perspectives of the Asia-Pacific are rooted in their localized experiences and built outwards. The first significant trend is that understandings of humanitarianism in the Asia-Pacific are primarily shaped by the experience of disasters at home. Second, national governments play a dominant role in humanitarian affairs in the region. Finally, the humanitarian landscape in the Asia-Pacific constitutes a diverse yet under-appreciated set of actors. This book is based on the RSIS Conference on Asia and the Humanitarian World held in 2019 in Singapore. It is relevant to students, scholars, practitioners and policymakers with an interest in humanitarian assistance, disaster management, strategic studies and international relations in Asia-Pacific. Contents The Evolving Humanitarian Landscape: Rise of the Asia–Pacific Region 1 Trends and Issues in the Humanitarian Sector 2 Relevance of the Asia–Pacific Region References China and Humanitarian Affairs: Thinking, Policy and Prospects 1 Introduction 2 Cultural Roots of Humanitarianism 3 Humanitarianism in the Context of Chinese Foreign Policy 4 Opportunities and Challenges References The PLA’s HADR Operations at Home and Abroad: Embedding War Preparation in Humanitarian Endeavors 1 Conceptualizing the PLA’s Functions to China’s Overall HADR Endeavors 1.1 The Symbiosis Between the PLA HADR and Regime Security 1.2 The Symbiosis Between HADR Challenges and PLA MOOTW 1.3 The Symbiosis Between PLA HADR Missions and Military Operations of War 2 The PLA’s Capability Enhancement for HADR Operations References Sino-Nepal Cooperation in Disasters: Dynamics and Challenges 1 Elevated Sino-Nepal Cooperation in Disaster Relief over the Past Decade 2 Driving Forces and UN 3 Looking Forward: Opportunities and Challenges Chinese Humanitarian Leadership in the UN and Multilateral System 1 Introduction 2 China in the UN Humanitarian System 3 China and Multilateral Humanitarian Affairs 4 A Brief Prospect India’s Response to Humanitarianism: A Synopsis Japan’s New Security Perspective on Humanitarian Assistance Australia and the South Pacific Islands in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief 1 Regional Geopolitics 2 The Australian Contribution: Objectives and Practice References Regional Humanitarian Platforms—The Case of ASEAN Reference Reinforcing Universal Values for Humanitarian Cooperative Arrangements in Asia 1 The Changing Humanitarian Landscape 2 Redefinition of Sovereignty 3 Emergence of Universalism 4 Regional Approach for Humanitarian Cooperation in Asia 5 Conclusion Military Humanitarianism in the Asia–Pacific 1 Introduction 2 Regional Nuances 3 Military Humanitarianism? 4 Conclusion References Indonesia’s Humanitarian Engagements: Perspectives, Limitations and Prospects 1 Introduction 2 Perspectives and Priorities of Indonesia’s Humanitarian Engagement 2.1 Muslim Solidarity 2.2 Peacekeeping Operations References The Humanitarian Face of US-Philippines Security Alliance: Humanitarian Partners, Friends and Allies 1 Pre-existing Military and Civilian Agreements 2 Key Contributions to HADR in the Philippines 2.1 Providing Platforms for Fast Delivery of Humanitarian Aid 2.2 Institutionalising a Multinational Military Coordination Mechanism 2.3 Sharing of Resources 2.4 Advancing Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction at the Local Level 3 Implications on the Humanitarian Landscape in the Philippines and ASEAN References The Role of Civil Society in Disaster Response—The Philippine Experience 1 Legal Environment 2 Roles of Civil Society 3 Broadening Space for Civil Society Reference Private Sector: Under-Appreciated Actors in Disaster Response and Recovery 1 Introduction 2 Mapping Private Engagement in Disaster Response and Recovery 2.1 Short-Term Engagement 2.2 Long-Term Engagement 3 Conclusion References Future Research Directions for Humanitarian Affairs in the Asia–Pacific 1 Introduction 2 Crafting a Humanitarian Research Agenda Fit for the Future 3 Conclusion This collection of essays offers insights of the international humanitarian system, considering what constitutes humanitarianism in Asia-Pacific, and how it shapes policy and practice in the region and globally. It adds to the conversation on reforming the global humanitarian system by providing the space to share perspectives of what constitutes humanitarian action from our place in the world. The authors in this collection answer these questions by focusing on a range of issues from national to sectoral perspectives to relations between traditional and emerging players, concluding that the dynamics of the humanitarian system from the perspectives of Asia-Pacific are rooted in their localized experiences and built outwards. The first significant trend is that understandings of humanitarianism Asia-Pacific are primarily shaped by the experience of disasters at home. Second, national governments play a dominant role in humanitarian affairs in the region. Finally, the humanitarian landscape in Asia-Pacific constitutes a diverse yet under-appreciated set of actors. This book is based on the RSIS Conference on Asia and the Humanitarian World held in 2019 in Singapore. It is relevant to students, scholars, practitioners and policymakers with an interest in humanitarian assistance, disaster management, strategic studies and international relations in Asia-Pacific