SANTIAGO, Chile –
When natural a disaster strikes, the ability to respond quickly and efficiently can help save lives.
Incorporating a “whole-of-government” approach and working with partner nation armies and international agencies was the focus of a specialized Conference of American Armies, or CAA, event in Santiago, Chile, in June.
Co-hosted by the Chilean and Argentinian armies, the focus was inter-agency operations with an emphasis on the importance of integration when dealing with, and responding to, crisis situations.
“International cooperation begins here when you talk to people and you face people,” said Chilean Army Col. Juan Eduardo Gonzalez. “If we are able to cooperate in an international environment, then that means that we are on a good path.”
The country of Chile is known as an area prone to natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes and cyclones, to mudslides to tsunamis. Gonzalez said collaboration between partner nations, combined with careful planning, have helped to make this conference a success and will improve the collective response to humanitarian assistance efforts.
During this week-long conference, more than 120 people from 16 member armies, including defense forces and civil and non-governmental agencies, worked closely together sharing their expertise and valuable insights. The group drew from a wealth of experience in dealing with a wide range of emergencies and the ensuing humanitarian relief efforts.
Participants also had the opportunity to respond to a mock, natural disaster training scenario as part of a validation exercise in which coordination and communication was critical.
“We need to figure out within the Americas how can we assist our neighboring countries when the call comes,” said U.S. Army Col. Tony Espinosa, the CAA Permanent Executive Secretary. “For us to be able to do that we have to exercise the protocols, the systems, and we have to have something in place and start building the confidence amongst our countries.”
Espinosa added that today responding to a catastrophe, “is a total government and society approach.”
The validation exercise also provided opportunities to evaluate a new Geographical Information System software designed by the Argentinian army and the Interagency Environment Operational Guidelines developed by the Brazilian army.
In addition, the various capabilities of CAA participants were evaluated on how effective they were at mitigating the effects of the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Founded in 1960, the Conference of American Armies is comprised of 20 member armies, six observer armies and two observer international military organizations: the Inter-American Defense Board and
the Conference of Central American Armed Forces.
The leadership of the CAA’s Permanent Executive Secretariat is a shared responsibility that rotates voluntarily every two years.
The U.S. Army will pass its current leadership role to the Army of the Dominican Republic in January 2018 for the official start of the 33rd CAA cycle.