Background and Rationale

On 25 May 2022, ASEAN and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Strengthening of Community Resilience in Southeast Asia, which outlined the scope and main areas of cooperation between ASEAN and IFRC on matters of mutual interest in supporting the strengthening of community resilience at regional, national and local levels in the ASEAN region.

The MOU lists areas of collaboration related to disaster management, disaster risk reduction, disaster law, health in emergencies, disaster relief and emergency response, gender, youth, and climate change. Investments in these critical areas will provide structural foundations in buttressing the ASEAN region against new, emerging and long-term disaster risks. The MoU also highlighted that ASEAN and IFRC would endeavor to convene joint consultations once a year to evaluate the activities agreed by both Participants and explore ways to further and deepen cooperation in the future.

Since the signing of the MoU in 2022, ASEAN institutions, Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (NSs), and IFRC have actively collaborated in the fields of disaster preparedness, response, youth and volunteer initiatives, trainings, and joint mapping exercises, all in accordance with the provisions of the signed MoU and respective role/mandates of NSs within their countries.

On 22 September 2023, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (SG), attended and delivered keynote speech at the 20th Southeast Asia (SEA) Red Cross and Red Crescent Leaders Meeting, in Phnom Penh. SG Dr. Kao highlighted the important role of the IFRC in disaster management in the ASEAN region, elaborated on ASEAN’s efforts in strengthening community resilience in the implementation of the MoU, and encouraged the IFRC and the National Societies in the region to work collaboratively with ASEAN in disaster management.

Objectives

The event is proposed to be divided into two main parts, which includes dialogue and knowledge sharing/learning session.

• Part 1. The Dialogue session – aims to provide a venue for dialogue between the IFRC, NSs of SEA Region, and ASEAN to: Explore and evaluate activities, ways, priorities, and collaborative opportunities (including funding opportunities) to strengthen the partnership in the future; and, stipulate directions for implementation of the MoU.
• Part 2. Learning and sharing session – aims to provide a venue for learning and knowledge sharing with a wider audience based on past and current collaborations, as well as an analysis of needs and trends/forecasts for disaster preparedness and response, and the roles of volunteers. It is intended to provide inputs related to the progress of collaborations, priorities for the next year, and other relevant recommendations.

Related Documents:

• Concept Note
• Agenda [updated 30 August 2024]

Session A – Strengthening collaboration in disaster management in the ASEAN region

• Session A Overview
  • Annex 1 – Disaster Law
  • Annex 2 – Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Annex 3 – Disaster Relief and Emergency Response
  • Annex 4 – Disaster Management
  • Annex 5 – Health in Emergencies
• Presentations:
  • SEA National RCRC Societies-IFRC Engagement with ASEAN
  • ASEAN’s Policies and Key Programmes related to Disaster Management
  • Strengthening Collaboration in Disaster Management in the ASEAN region

Session B – Learning from response to disasters in SEA region: Enhancing Preparedness and
Response to Heightened Risks of Climate Change

• Session B Overview
  • Annex A – Learning and Trends within the Humanitarian Sector
• Presentations:
  • Reflection on disaster management related initiatives of NSs within SEA region

Photos:

• Regional Dialogue with ASEAN