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 to disasters. The work carried out by the ACDM over the last two decades has been instrumental in developing and implementing activities, programmes and initiatives in the disaster management sector, especially in the areas of risk assessment, prev

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 challenges and a distinctive opportunity for ASEAN to proactively address and mitigate the risks associated with various natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, floods, and landslides.

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 period of 2021 to 2025 focuses on five priority programmes: risk monitoring and analysis, prevention and mitigation, preparedness and response, resilient recovery, and global leadership. Through these AADMER Work Programmes, several flagship initiativ

“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 flood incidents were reported, the highest since 2016. Landslides are also an annual occurrence, peaking with 77 cases in 2021. During dry periods, the nation is also at risk of forest fires, with 1,655 reported cases in 2019.

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 steps to safeguard its people and infrastructure in the face of a changing climate.

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 responses to emergencies. However, even with these distinct circumstances, disasters offer valuable lessons for the community to build sustainable resilience

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 2-4 years based on historical records.

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 the infrastructure.

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 with several countries such as India, Bangladesh, China, the Lao PDR, and Thailand. Myanmar has a diverse and complex geographical landscape that plays a significant role in its susceptibility to a range of natural disasters. Its location, topograp

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 that the country deals with constantly.

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 robust disaster management framework. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is the national focal point for disaster management and coordinates with multiple stakeholders and partners for a whole-of-society and whole-of-government response strate

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 and cyclones during the monsoon season, which can bring destructive winds and heavy rainfall.

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 in coastal areas are exposed to these risks.

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 cannot be overstated. ASEAN, a region that is vulnerable to various natural and human-induced disasters, has been working together with various partners to enhance its capacity and cooperation. One of the key partners in this endeavour is Japan, whi

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 climate change, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is firmly committed to strengthening disaster resilience in partnership with the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management.

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 friends that I have worked with over the years on disaster preparedness and response in our region and beyond. We’ve come a long way in the 20 years since the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) was formed, in the 12 years since the ASEAN

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 Iqbal Fakhri bin Haji Damit, and this year’s winner, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh.

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 pivotal platform for nurturing young journalists across Southeast Asia over the past five years. As of 2022, the initiative has trained 58 finalists from all 10 ASEAN Member States, equipping them to tackle diverse societal challenges, from combatting

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. Rice has remained an important commodity in the region, both as a staple food and an export product. Almost 30 per cent of the world’s rice-growing areas are situated in the region, with Thailand and Viet Nam ranking among the top global rice exporte

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 system, it inundated several of the city’s villages. 

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 and left a mark on his young life. This emotional connection ignited a passion for animal welfare that would shape his life.

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.