Israel, OCD discuss disaster preparedness

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss met with Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno in Manila to discuss enhancing disaster preparedness through collaboration, officials said.

Fluss stressed Israel's readiness to assist the Philippines during calamities.

"We had the privilege of meeting with Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno to discuss Israel’s disaster management expertise," said Fluss.

He added that Israel's "comprehensive approach to managing man-made disasters can offer valuable lessons for the Philippines."

The discussions explored potential capacity-building and technological assistance in areas such as water purification, urban resilience, and addressing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

Meantime, Nepomuceno acknowledged Israel's leadership in disaster management.

“Israel has proven itself as a leader in disaster management and innovation. Our discussions open exciting avenues for collaboration," said Nepomuceno.

He added that the visit establishes a commitment to ongoing partnerships between Israel and the Philippines, aiming to bolster community resilience and tackle shared challenges, particularly in the face of potential CBRN threats.

"It is very interesting that the partnership with Israel will give us some ideas how to deal with CBRN threats and save us from the hazards it brings that affect the nation’s health and safety," Nepomuceno said.

The two parties explored opportunities for capacity building, focusing on demonstrations of advanced Israeli products and technologies. They also acknowledged the need for technological assistance in food and water purification, and smart city solutions aimed at improving urban resilience.