In the Indo-Pacific, one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, partnership is not just a concept—it is a critical necessity. For the small, vulnerable island states of the Pacific, isolated by vast expanses of ocean, the impact of frequent and intense disasters is disproportionately high. When a crisis strikes, the first responders are always the affected people and their governments, but the scale of these events often requires a network of trusted partners ready to act in concert.

What does "partnership" truly mean in the context of disaster management? It means building relationships before a crisis, understanding each other's capabilities, and establishing the trust required for seamless civil-military and inter-organizational coordination. In our upcoming edition of Liaison Magazine, we will explore the theme of "Partnering in the Pacific." This issue will serve as a thought-leadership platform for planners and responders, examining how different organizations build and sustain the relationships necessary for effective disaster response and regional resilience.

The Liaison Journal seeks articles exploring these questions and more:

  • Defining Regional Partnership: What does "partnership" truly mean to your organization in the context of disaster management? How do we best build relationships before a crisis, understand each other's capabilities, and establish the trust required for seamless civil-military and inter-organizational coordination?
  • Multilateral Coordination and Mobilization: How do international coordinating bodies mobilize and coordinate international action to support national-led disaster responses?
  • Capacity Building and Preparedness: In what ways can regional stakeholders and international agencies collaborate to strengthen localized emergency preparedness and response capabilities?
  • Military Interoperability and Joint Operations: What lessons can be learned from major annual multinational operation in enhancing regional interoperability, stabilizing the civil-military space, and fostering enduring friendships?
  • The Future of Collaboration: What are the primary challenges and opportunities for strengthening civil-military and inter-organizational partnerships in the Indo-Pacific over the next five years?

Call for Shorter Narratives and Vignettes

In addition to full-length research and analysis articles, Liaison is also looking for shorter narratives and vignettes (approximately 500 to 1,000 words) accompanied by one or two high-resolution photos.

We are seeking engaging, firsthand accounts that capture practical lessons from the field, including:

  • Disaster Response Stories: A short, impactful story or key lesson learned from a recent real-world disaster response operation within the Pacific region.
  • Exercise Insights: Brief vignettes showcasing civil-military coordination, interoperability breakthroughs, or partnership triumphs during recent regional training events and exercises (e.g., Pacific Partnership, Balikatan, Cobra Gold, etc.).
  • Field Coordination Lessons: Real-world examples of overcoming logistical, geographic, or communication barriers when working alongside local communities, civilian agencies, and multinational forces.
  • One-Page Abstract/Concept Paper: September 4, 2026
  • Full Article Submission: October 5, 2026

Note: If you anticipate needing additional time to meet these timelines, please contact the editorial team as soon as possible with an estimated date of when your contribution could be delivered.

Article Submissions

The Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance invites original article submissions from contributors of all backgrounds within the humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) community.

Liaison is a journal of civil-military HADR collaborations. It aims to engage and inform readers on the most current research, regional cooperation initiatives, technology, applied research, lessons learned, and training and education programs.

We prefer original submissions. If your article or paper is currently being considered for publication elsewhere, please note that clearly within your submission.

Please direct all submissions, abstracts, or inquiries to the editorial team at uspacom.jbphh.uspacom.mbx.cfe-dmha@us.navy.mil.

Submission Guidelines & Details

Format

All submissions should be emailed to the editor as an unformatted Microsoft Word file. Final articles should have a flexible word count of 2,000 to 4,000 words, while shorter vignettes should range from 500 to 1,000 words. Endnotes are the preferred method of citation, if applicable.

Originality

Liaison looks for original work, but previously published articles or papers will be considered if they are highly relevant to the issue’s topic.

Clarity & Audience

Please avoid overly technical military acronyms and regional jargon. The majority of Liaison readers are from Asia-Pacific nations, and articles should be addressed to an international audience using clear, plain English.

Copyrights & Licenses

All work remains the property of the author or photographer. Submission of an article or photograph implies authorization of publication by Liaison Magazine.

Supporting Imagery

Original, high-resolution imagery supporting articles is highly welcomed and encouraged. Please ensure images are sent as separate files (not embedded within the Microsoft Word document) and can be credited to the photographer without license infringement.

Biography & Professional Photo

When submitting your article, please include a short biography and a high-resolution headshot of the author(s) for our contributors' section.