Typhoon Haiyan wrecked the Philippines last month. The death toll has now crossed 5,000. It has affected more than 10 million people, damaged millions of dollars worth crops, livestock and infrastructure, and destroyed half-a-million homes, according to the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

One of the worst disasters in the past decade, it brought the entire world together to assist the Philippines first in rescue and relief first, and now in reconstruction.

‘soft power’

This was and still is an opportunity for many countries to exercise their ‘soft power’ in the Asia-Pacific – a region of increasing geopolitical significance. China’s growing presence and assertiveness in the region has driven the US to adopt a ‘rebalancing’ strategy by deploying more military assets in this part of the world. Other countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and India are also eyeing the vast amount of resources and business opportunities in the region.

South-east Asia is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the world, and the Philippines is the fastest growing economy in the region. It is also a US ally that has taken a strong stand against Chinese claims in the disputed South China Sea. Foreign Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations have become important elements of force projection and image enhancement. Sixteen militaries are involved in rescue and relief in the Philippines. The US, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Sweden are some of the countries that deployed their military assets immediately.

The US’ typhoon aid is one of the largest with the amount reaching $52 million. It has also placed its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington and nearly 50 ships and aircraft (C-130) in the disaster zone. The UK’s aid is expected to be raised to over £50 million. Its helicopter and commando carrier HMS Daring has been distributing humanitarian aid provided by the Department of International Development and it has now been replaced by HMS Illustrious.

China’s reaction

China was heavily criticised for its paltry aid of $1,00,000. Japan, South Korea and the US linked this directly to China’s worrisome intentions in the region, especially its hostile relations with the Philippines over the disputed islands of the South China Sea as the amount clearly matched neither its economic power nor the image of a responsible global player.

Finally China decided to send a relief team to save face, shortly after which it sent its only aircraft carrier towards the disputed region for drills, a move that has been condemned by the Philippines.

India, which is yet another ‘power to reckon with’, sent only 15 tonnes of relief material (including, tarpaulin sheets, tents, cooked food, biscuits, medicines and milk powder). If India really wishes to expand its ‘Look East’ policy and gain access to the huge markets and resources in the region, it needs to do much more than sending biscuits and milk powder.

It is far from balancing other major powers in the region.

The UN has sought $348 million and it requires more funds for rehabilitation of the typhoon survivors and reconstruction. Now is the time for India to step up and make its presence felt by creating goodwill in the Asia-Pacific region.

(The writer is a PhD candidate and a teaching assistant in the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal University.)

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