RESCUE AND RESOURCE CENTRE

Column No : 1799

RESCUE AND RESOURCE CENTRE: 10.

Miss Penny Low asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) if he will give a status update on Singapore's offer to be a regional disaster rescue and resource centre; (b) whether there is any scope or effort to develop Singapore into a hub for regional or global risks and resource management, given the info-communications technology, finance and logistics infrastructure of Singapore's knowledge-based economy; and (c) if so, what are the costs and benefits.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, during last December's tsunami, Singapore had offered the UN its facilities for a regional coordination centre to help in the relief efforts.The UN was appreciative of our offer even though they did not take it up.

Following the tsunami, the UN is reviewing its logistics operations in the region. A joint UN team has visitedSingaporeas well as other countries in the region to assess the feasibility of setting up an Emergency Logistics Response Facility. Singapore is, of course, happy to support the UN if they are interested to base their facility here. We have indicated to them the areas where we can be helpful.

There is some potential for the UN and its affiliated agencies to leverage upon Singapore's regional hub status for disaster response management, given our strong logistics and communications infrastructure and well-known efficiency. In addition, there is some scope for cooperation with UN agencies interested in sharing information and knowledge in this specialised field. Our agencies, such as MOH and SCDF, already conduct various training courses related to emergency preparedness and disaster management in collaboration with international agencies.

Mr Speaker, Sir, our efforts to support international agencies like the UN or others interested to base themselves here will be a logical extension of our role as a major transport, telecommunications and IT hub. But it is difficult to quantify the costs and benefits given that logistics needs in any crisis are by definition uncertain.For Singapore, the benefits will mainly come from the recognition of our useful role in helping the UN and their affiliated agencies. It will also complement the presence of our logistics multinational companies. However, we should bear in mind that we are a small country with limited resources. The UN has enormous needs.Sir, as a responsible member of the international community, where we can make a difference, we will try to be as helpful as we can.