Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve 

Handover of Korea’s 500 MT-rice for flood relief in Lao PDR

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The APTERR Secretariat together with representatives from the Republic of Korea (ROK) were invited to attend the ceremonial handover and distribution of Korea's 500-MT rice to assist people affected by severe floods triggered by tropical storm Podul and tropical depression Kajiki.

    

The event was hosted by the Government of Lao PDR on 13 November 2019 at the Office of Labor and Social Welfare in Salavan province.

 

Mr. Savanh Hanephom, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Finance   of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR and the APTERR Council member warmly welcomed Mr.Chanipithya Shimphalee, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat, Mr. Park Heung Kweun, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the ROK in Lao PDR and their teams to the significant event. Also, there were  representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Wefare of Lao PDR, local governments, the World Food Programme as well as other agencies witnessing the programme.

 

The Government of Lao PDR expressed their sincere gratitude to the Government of the ROK and Korean people for providing rice relief to those affected by disastrous calamities and showed a heartfelt appreciation to the APTERR Secretariat for continuous support to strengthen food security in Lao PDR.

 

Tropical storm Podul and tropical depression Kajiki widely hit Lao PDR causing more than hundred thousands of people affected. This 500-MT rice would be allocated to assist those suffering in five provinces; Champasak, Saravan, Savannakhet, Sekong and  Khammouan.  

 

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 What is APTERR?

 

The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) is a regional cooperation established under the APTERR Agreement signed by the Ministers of the Agriculture and Forestry of the ASEAN Plus Three at the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Minister on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three (AMAF+3) on 7 October 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The APTERR was officially established itself as a permanent mechanism and also marked the official launch of the APTERR Secretariat office in Bangkok in 2013. 

 

We are keen to strengthen food security, poverty alleviation, and malnourishment eradication among its members without distorting normal trade, while the common goal of the APTERR Parties is the assurance of food security in the ASEAN+3 region. 

 

 

 

Natural Disasters

 

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WEEKLY UPDATE ON NATURAL DISASTERS
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE

No. 362

3 – 9 April 2024

Rice Situation

 

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WEEKLY UPDATE ON  ASEAN PLUS THREE
RICE SITUATIONS 

No. 362

3 – 9 April 2024

  1. Indonesia
  2. The Philippines
  3. China
  4. Japan

Flooding damaged many areas in Jakarta city. A downpour and swollen rivers triggered floodings in Jakarta on 3 April 2023, affecting around 40 neighborhood units in areas including Kedoya Selatan, Kembangan Selatan, Pela Mampang, Pejaten Timur, Ragunan, Kampung Melayu, and Cawang sub-districts. Floodwaters also submerged five road sections, including Kemang Utara IX in South Jakarta city, Mabes Hankam (Bambu Apus), Bogor Road KM 19 (Kramat Jati), Diklat Depsos (Rambutan), and Pagelarang (Setu) in East Jakarta city. There were about 24 residents from the Kebagusan neighborhood area fleeing to shelter in a public facility while 10 other from Kampung Melayu found refuge in a mosque. Later, some displaced residents of Cilandak Timur area were able to return home

Sources: Antara News. (2024, Apr 4). Jakarta flash flooding continues to inundate 40 neighborhood units.

 

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake shook Tanggamus district. An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 hit Tanggamus district in Lampung province on 8 April 2024. The tremors were felt in neighboring areas including Tenggamus district, Krui town in Pesisir Barat district, and Tanjung Karang area in Bandarlampung city. Residents were urged to stay cautions. Still, there were no immediate reports of any damages or casualties.

Sources: Antara News. (2024, Apr 8). Lampung's Tanggamus District shaken by 5.4-magnitudequake.

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hits Davao Occidental province. An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck Davao Occidental province on 9 April 2024. It affected several areas including Malungon, Alabel, Glan, and Kiamba municipalities of Sarangani province, Don Marcelino municipality of Davao Occidental, and Digos city of Davao del Sur province. However, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Sources: The Manila Times. (2024, Apr 9). 6.7 quake hits Davao Occidental – Phivolcs.

China renewed a blue alert for rainstorms in Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces. Heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms, gales, or hail were anticipated to affect many parts of Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces during 7 – 8 April 2024. China's National Meteorological Center reissued a blue alert and local authorities took necessary precautions. Besides, the schools and kindergartens were asked to ensure a safety of students while the drivers was warned of potential road waterlogging and traffic congestion.

Sources: Xinhua. (2024, Apr 7). China renews blue alert for rainstorms.

Tsunami warnings were issued in south Japan. Tsunami warnings were promptly issued on 3 April 2024 in Japan’s southern prefecture of Okinawa following a magnitude-7.7 earthquake off the coast of Taiwan. The warnings led to significant disruptions in air, bus, and ferry services and prompted evacuations on Okinawa, Yonaguni, Ishigaki, and Miyako islands. Over 90 flights were cancelled at Naha airport while the airport shuttle bus services were temporarily suspended. Passengers then were relocated to higher ground. Additionally, some ferries remained at sea until the warnings were lifted.

Sources: The Mainichi. (2024, Apr 3). Tsunami warnings prompt evacuation, disrupt transport in Okinawa.

  1. Cambodia
  2. Thailand
  3. Viet Nam

Cambodia’s milled rice exports tallied 166,451 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024. According to the Cambodia Rice Federation, Cambodia exported 166,451 tonnes of milled rice from January to March 2024, down 5.7 percent from 176,581 tonnes year-on-year, which made 123.6 million USD in revenue, down 1.9 percent from 126 million USD in the same period last year. Fragrant rice accounted for 81 percent of total rice exports. China and Europe are the major importers of Cambodia’s milled rice.

Source: Khmer Times. (2024, Apr 8). Rice exports earn $123 million in Q1.

Thailand’s rice exports will increase in the second quarter of 2024. According to the Thai Rice Exporter Association, Thailand's rice exports tallied 2.5 million tonnes from January to March 2024 as rice exporters are committed to delivering a large quantity, especially white rice to major Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Key importers of white and fragrant rice in the United States of America and Asia are expected to post strong demand for white rice and fragrant rice as reduced domestic supply amid record-high global prices. Moreover, rice exporters expect global prices will increase in the second quarter of 2024 because of the impact of the El Nino phenomenon and India’s rice export restrictions.

Source: Bangkok Post. (2024, Apr 8). Rice exporters predict higher prices in Q2.

 

Rates for Thai rice dropped, attracting demand from Indonesia. Prices of Thai 5 percent broken rice decreased to 570 USD per tonne from 585-590 USD a week earlier. The depreciating baht and the coming of additional supply cause the weaker rice prices. Moreover, lower prices attracted demand from buyers such as Indonesia, Bangkok-based traders said.

Source: Brecorder. (2024, Apr 7). Asia rice: India rates grind to 2-month low on soft demand.

Viet Nam’s rice prices edged down amid the ongoing largest harvest of the year. Vietnamese rice prices decreased to 580 USD per tonne from 590-595 USD per tonne last week. Demand remains healthy but buyers offer lower prices. Furthermore, an ongoing harvest of the winter-spring crop will end in more than a week, Ho Chi Minh-based trader.

Source: Brecorder. (2024, Apr 7). Asia rice: India rates grind to 2-month low on soft demand