Singapore Offers Assistance of Changi RHCC to Philippines as Typhoon Hagupit Approaches

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit called his Philippine counterpart, Undersecretary for National Defense Honorio S. Azcueta, today saying that the Changi Regional HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) Coordination Centre (RHCC) stands ready to assist as Typhoon Hagupit threatens landfall over the next few days.

Mr Chan said that the Changi RHCC is ready to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in coordinating multinational military assistance in response to the disaster. The Changi RHCC has been monitoring the situation closely, and has placed its personnel and resources on stand by to support the Philippines.

Mr Chan also said that the Changi RHCC is ready to deploy a needs assessment team of up to 10 officers to the Philippines to see how the RHCC could support the AFP in coordinating military assistance from foreign militaries in the event that it is required. The RHCC will be able to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation in the affected areas and enhance information-sharing. This will help facilitate decision-making by militaries, for instance by showing them the areas most in need of assistance.