Building Community Resilience

In commemorating the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), I believe it is worth reflecting that ASEAN has come a long way in terms of enhancing regional and national capacities, particularly in managing and responding

Southeast Asia is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire between the Indian and Pacific oceans, it is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. This dual reality presents significant challe

Under the leadership of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), five-year AADMER Work Programmes (AWPS) have been implemented since 2010 to bolster disaster resilience in the region. The third edition of the AADMER Work Programme for the per

“Disaster Resilience in ASEAN—Now and Beyond” was the theme of the ASEAN Disaster Management Week (ADMW) held on 21-24 August 2023 in Singapore.

The ASEAN region is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Brunei Darussalam faces a spectrum of hazards with differing frequencies and intensities, notably frequent flooding due to heavy monsoons and coastal vulnerabilities. In 2022, 207

Cambodia’s response to climate change and disaster risk management is comprehensive and forward-looking. By collaborating with international partners, conducting studies, and implementing community-focused initiatives, Cambodia is taking significant st

Disasters possess inherent uniqueness. The scale of a disaster impacts the number of fatalities, the damage to infrastructure and the environment, the response time, and the recovery phase. Furthermore, the community’s socio-cultural context shapes res

The Lao PDR is a country that faces the recurring risk of natural hazards every year. These natural hazards include floods, droughts, typhoons, landslides and earthquakes. Among these, annual flooding occurs yearly, with severe flooding occurring every

In December 2014, Malaysia experienced its worst monsoon flooding. The East Coast region was the hardest hit, particularly Kelantan. The flood affected more than 500,000 people and resulted in more than 700 million US dollars in losses and damage to th

The words “disaster” and “climate change” have become well-known because of the intensive and extensive disasters that are happening everywhere. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is the second largest country in Southeast Asia and it shares borders

Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Pacific Typhoon Belt, the Philippines is prone to various hazards due to its geographical location. Floods, storm surges, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and drought are the common hazards th

Singapore, a bustling island city-state in Southeast Asia, may appear as an oasis of tranquillity amidst the chaos of the modern world. Behind the scenes, the city-state is constantly preparing and ever-ready to respond to a range of hazards with its r

Thailand’s diverse geography contributes to its multifaceted disaster risk profile. The country experiences annual monsoon rains, resulting in flooding, especially in the central plains and northern regions. Thailand is also prone to tropical storms an

Viet Nam, with its extensive coastline, is highly susceptible to various hydro-meteorological hazards, including severe storms, cyclones, typhoons, floods, landslides, and coastal erosion. Approximately 70 per cent of the country’s population residing

Many disasters may be inevitable as the forces of nature are increasingly becoming unpredictable and destructive. However, their adverse impacts can be reduced through effective collaboration, preparedness, and response. The value of such cooperation c

Amidst the intricate web of challenges posed by disasters, the beacon of disaster risk reduction emerges as a resolute symbol of preparedness and resilience. Within the dynamic breadth of Southeast Asia, a region deeply touched by the consequences of c

I had the honour to be invited to attend the first ASEAN Forum on Disaster Resilience, hosted by the Singapore Civil Defence Force in mid-August this year. As we emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, it felt wonderful to be able to connect with many

As extreme heatwaves and wildfires burn across the world, scientists predict that the worst of the weather is yet to come.

At the opening of the 43rd ASEAN Summit on 5 September 2023, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, handed the prestigious ASEAN Prize trophy to two distinguished recipients: 2022 awardee Haji Muhammad

The 3rd ASEAN Youth Social Journalism Contest (AYSJ), a collaborative effort of the ASEAN Foundation, ASEAN Secretariat, and the ASEAN-USAID PROSPECT project, was successfully held under the theme “Community Resilience.” This competition has been a piv

ASEAN celebrated its 56th anniversary on 8 August 2023 with Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Epicentrum of Growth”.

Water and rain are essential to sustaining lives and livelihood, and fostering social and economic development throughout Southeast Asia. They are, for example, necessary for the production of rice, a tradition that dates back to thousands of years. Ri

Nestled along the Philippines’ typhoon-prone corridor, Naga City faces heightened vulnerability to torrential rains, landslides, and heavy flooding. Just this past April, the city felt the impact of Tropical Depression Amang. Though a relatively weak s

Like any ordinary person, 40-year-old Trang Jena Nguyen initially believed that first aid skills and knowledge were exclusively for doctors and medical professionals. However, it only took one workshop to change her mind.

It is neither fame nor her three million followers on social media that brings Sania Leonardo the greatest happiness. Instead, it is the warm embrace of her students at emergency schools and their excitement to see her whenever she arrives.

Zain Nabil Haiqal’s love for wildlife and animals stems from childhood. The 25-year-old college student vividly remembers a visit to a West Java zoo where he encountered a forlorn-looking orangutan. The primate’s sorrowful expression moved him to tears

No other country in the Asia- Pacific region has more volcanoes than Indonesia. The country is home to at least 127 active volcanoes; thus, volcanic eruptions are a major threat to the archipelago.