SGBV Awareness Activity | 23-30 July 2018 | Oudomxay, Lao PDR
2018-07-23 - 2018-07-30
Following the Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) protection before, during, and after disasters research conducted in Lao PDR by Lao Red Cross (LRC) and IFRC in 2017, one recommendation was to organize awareness raising activities to prevent and eliminate violence against women, boys and girls in the communities where the research was conducted. LRC Department of Advancement of Women, Mother and Child worked together with LRC Youth and Volunteer to organize a series of training and workshop to conduct a youth-led awareness activity in Baeng district, Oudomxay Province during 23-30 July.
The purpose of the activities include: 1) to disseminate the SGBV research results and strengthen the gender network in Oudomxay; 2) to train the Youth on Youth Empowerment in Community (YEC) with focus on GBV prevention; and 3) to raise awareness on GBV prevention.
Through the activities, government staffs from several departments in Baeng district have learned about the ASEAN SGBV research results as well as gender work at national and international level. They also know better LRC gender work. In addition, a total of 600 people from two villages learned about SGBV research results and watched the show performed by Youth. They have better understanding on SGBV and its impact (direct and indirect). Heads of the villages are aware of the importance of this issue and agree that we should disseminate further the research results to promote the behavioral change, to prevent or eliminate the violent habits and to create safe environment for all.
IFRC Protection, Gender and Inclusion officer and SGBV advisor also attended the training to give technical advice together with an expert from Laos’ National Commission for the Advancement of Women (NCAW). The team came up with a play called “Mirror” which talks about domestic violence. Selected and trained Youth volunteer from Oudomxay province conducted the play in 2 villages in Baeng district, where the data collection on SGBV took place. LRC G&D focal point and Lao NCAW advisor supervised the activity and made sure that the right message was sent to the community. In total, 600 people attended the event (F 205, M 288, children 107). However, due to time constraint, the the enhancement of the referral system did not take place at this time.
For more information about the activities, see report here. Report in Lao language is also available here.

AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme 2018 Red Cross Red Crescent Induction | 20-24 August 2018 | Jakarta, Indonesia
2018-08-20 - 2018-08-24
Introduction
The AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme was established as part of the AHA Centre’s ambition to build a disaster-resilient region, through the vision of the ‘One ASEAN One Response’. Since it was launched in 2014, 62 officers from the ten ASEAN Member States have been trained. After graduating from ACE, the ACE alumni continue to engage in various roles in the area of disaster management as well as in responding to emergencies in the ASEAN region. Some graduates have been promoted into higher leadership positions within their respective National Disaster Management Organisations. Considering the ACE Programme’s effectiveness and relevance to support the vision, the AHA Centre continues to invite talented individuals from the ASEAN Member States to join ACE, in order to improve ASEAN’s speed, scale and solidarity in responding to crises and emergencies.
ACE Programme Description
The ACE Programme aims at developing the future leaders of ASEAN. The programme will strengthen the operationalisation of One ASEAN One Response commitment through building the capacities of the participants in the areas of disaster management and humanitarian assistance operations. It is is designed as a training development continuum, with long-term emphasis on building the four ACE Professional Qualities:

ACE Professional Quality 1. ACE graduate is sought as an expert in humanitarian assistance, both nationally and in the ASEAN region.
ACE Professional Quality 2. ACE graduate is committed to support the ASEAN’s coordination mechanisms and operationalise One ASEAN One Response through involvement of various relevant stakeholders.
ACE Professional Quality 3. ACE graduate is result oriented
ACE Professional Quality 4. ACE graduate is an effective leader

The learning programme combines various adult learning methodologies: online courses, classroom sessions, experiential challenges, case study analysis, individual and team projects, and real-life simulations. The participants are also expected to allocate two hours a day for reading the materials prior to joining the session on the following day, over the 18-week programme duration. In addition, the participants will engage throughout the programme by sharing tasks related to class arrangement, such as: ice breaking, meal/travel arrangement, etc.
Supporting documents:

Course plan
Agenda
Course Introduction

Go to this link for more interactive information and to view the reading list

Risk-Informed Development Conference | 27-29 August 2018 | Bangkok, Thailand
2018-08-27 - 2018-08-29
IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office participated at the Risk-Informed Development Conference during 27-29 August 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme for the 2018 event was “Using Disaster Risk Information for Resilience.” The event was hosted by the Asian Development Bank, UNESCAP, and UNISDR, among others.
IFRC had the opportunity to present the innovative Forecast-based Financing (FbF) approach/mechanism, including the IFRC Forecast-based Action (FbA) through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), and practical application and evidence from the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) in Asia Pacific that connect risk-informed decision making, early actions to reduce risks and increase investment in FbA and preparedness for response.
Click the link below to access the event documents:

Event agenda
Speakers’ profiles
IFRC’s Presentation on Forecast-based Financing

2018 Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Governance Academic Seminar | 24-25 September 2018 | Bangkok, Thailand
2018-09-24 - 2018-09-25
The 2018 Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Governance Academic Seminar is organized jointly by the ASEAN Committee for Disaster Management (ACDM), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Faculty of Political Science, and Thammasat University in Thailand. The 2.5-day event will take place during 24-26 September 2018 at Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus in Bangkok.
The primary focus of the seminar will be to review and provide comments, by the Peer Review Committee members, on the submitted academic papers under the theme “Effective legal frameworks for inclusive and climate smart disaster risk governance.” The Peer Review Committee members consists of academicians from institutions in Southeast Asia as well as practitioners in the field of disaster management. The seminar also aims to:

Provide a platform for different DRM actors and academic institutions in ASEAN to share their academic and policy research among their peers;
Increase the body of academic work on climate smart DRM laws in ASEAN to strengthen the credibility of the thematic area within the region and provide credible resources for policymakers working on DRM laws and regulations;
Enhance the engagement of academic institutions in ASEAN on climate smart DRM law and policy; and
Consider concrete recommendations and next steps to build on this peer learning platform.

Visit the official page of the seminar here for more information.

Myanmar Red Cross Society: National Strategic Dialogue Workshop on Migration | 25-27 September 2018 | Yangon, Myanmar
2018-09-25 - 2018-09-27
On 25-27 September 2018, the Restoring Family Links Department of the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) hosted a National Strategic Dialogue Workshop on Migration in Yangon, Myanmar.
The Workshop was attended by Professor Dr Nang Htwan Hla (Vice-President of MRCS) ,U Khin Maung Hla (Secretary-General of MRCS), Dr Daw Nyo Nyo Wint (Deputy Secretary-General of MRCS), U Ganesh (Chairman of the MRCS Supervisory Committee from Kachin State), Daw Ma Ma Lay (Chairlady of the MRCS Supervisory Committee of the Tanintharyi Region) and relevant Supervisory Committee members from respective States/Regions, Directors, Deputy Directors from Myanmar Red Cross Society, and relevant Officials.
At the ceremony, Prof. Dr Nang Htwan Hla , Vice President of the Myanmar Red Cross Society, gave the Opening Speech, and Joy Singhal, Head of IFRC Myanmar Country Office also offered his warm greetings to all the Workshop participants.

Preparedness for Effective Response Workshop | 22 October - 14 November 2018 | Hanoi, Viet Nam
2018-10-22 - 2018-11-14
Twenty Red Cross colleagues (12 female) gathered in Hanoi on 22 October to be oriented on the Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) process. This is the first among five Phases of the process including Orientation -> Assessment -> Prioritization and Analysis -> Work-Plan -> Action and Accountability.
All colleagues (Viet Nam RC and Partner National Societies) participated in the meeting expressed their interest and commitment to be part of the process.
Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) is a cyclical approach for a National Society (NS) to systematically assess, measure, and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of its response system in order to take remedial actions. The PER approach puts the NS in the driver’s seat to construct a work-plan that when implemented should improve its overall response capacity. The approach complements other major RCRC Movement tools including the Organisational Capacity Assessment and Certification (OCAC), Branch Organisational Capacity Assessment (BOCA), and Safer Access Framework (SAF).

Orientation Workshop at VNRC HQs on 22 October 2018. Photo by IFRC
From 10- 14 November 2018, 20 (7 female) VNRC colleagues representing various department of VNRC HQs and disaster-prone provinces gathered in Da Nang city for an intensive self-assessment workshop to go through every individual benchmark of 37 components and five sub-components to discuss in detail what each benchmark means to the VNRC and where the National Society stands on each of them before giving overall priority and score for each component.
Representatives participated in the self-assessment workshop are: Disaster Management; Health and Care; General Office (Logistics and Admin); Finance; Human Resource/OD; Inspection/PMER; International Relations; central region Disaster Management Centre; southern region HQ Office; and seven (7) disaster- prone provinces throughout the country. In addition, a representative from American RC was present throughout the workshop.
According to participants’ feedback that the workshop was a brilliant opportunity for them to better understand comprehensively what it means when it comes to Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) and it is indeed a very informative session for all. In-depth discussion was seen in various components and sub-components where the NS felt “good performance” and “needs to be improved” or “partially exist”. In addition, the use of slido.com in voting and prioritisation made the workshop more interactive and excited for all.
From the workshop, seven components and sub-components were prioritized the most for moving further to develop a workplan to address them in the future. The selection was based on scoring and their importance:

Component Order
Name of Component

16
Early Action Mechanism

21
Information Management

31
PMER

32
Financial and Admin Procedures in Emergencies

34c
Procurement

35
Staff and Volunteer Management

37
Resource Mobilisation

All in all, participants enjoyed the process and suggested the tool should be further fine-tuned and polished (language and terminologies) so that VNRC could further use it in other assessments such as extended BOCA (under Red Ready Initiative) and so on so forth.
Moving forward: Work-Plan Phase expects to be taken place in the second half of December.

PER Self-Assessment Workshop in Da Nang city 10-14 November. Photo by VNRC

PER Self-Assessment Workshop from 10-14 November in Da Nang. Photo by VNRC

Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies Leadership Informal Side Meeting | Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting | 11 November 2018 | Manila, Philippines
2018-11-11
SOUTHEAST ASIA RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT NATIONAL SOCIETIES LEADERSHIP INFORMAL SIDE MEETING DURING THE 10TH ASIA PACIFIC RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT REGIONAL MEETING IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES
As agreed during the 15th Annual Southeast Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies Leadership Meeting held on 10th and 11th April 2018 in Melaka, Malaysia, there is to be a side meeting of the Southeast Asia National Societies Leadership network during the upcoming 10th Asia Pacific Red Cross and Red Crescent Regional Meeting to be held in Manila, Philippines from the 11th to 14th November 2018.
The proposed Southeast Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies Leadership meeting is meant to be an informal meeting, taking advantage of the presence of its leaders. It is hoped that through this meeting, members can update each other on some of the latest activities and programs happening within the region.
Additionally, the meeting is also for Malaysian Red Crescent to formally handover the Chairmanship of the meeting to the Philippine Red Cross.
Please be informed that the informal side meeting will be held according to the details as mentioned below:
Time: 9.30 am to 1.00 pm
Sunday, 11th November 2018
Venue: Paranaque Function Room A & B, Shangri-La Makati, Manila Philippines
Reading materials:

The Outcome of the 15th Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leadership Meeting in April 2018 in Melaka, Malaysia
Regional Resilience Initiative Beyond 2018 – RRI2 Overall Framing
Red Cross and Red Crescent Contributions to AMCDRR 2018

10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference | 11-14 November 2018 | Manila, Philippines
2018-11-11 - 2018-11-14
The 10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference, set to take place in Manila from 11 – 14 November 2018, will see a gathering of leaders, spokespersons and representatives from Asia Pacific and Middle East and North Africa National Societies, as well as observing National Societies, to discuss strategic issues, common concerns and learn from each other’s diverse contexts.
Click here to visit the event official page for more information.

Gender and Diversity Policy Awareness Training | June-July 2018 | Bago City & Pyi City, Myanmar
2018-11-13 08:00 - 17:00 (Asia/Krasnoyarsk)
Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has been working to ensure gender and diversity (G&D) is mainstreamed and fully integrated within their programming, plans, policies, tools, branch and volunteer development. Efforts have been made to systematically integrate gender and diversity into its emergency programming and longer term planning.
A gender and diversity policy awareness training was conducted in Bago City on 26 June and in Pyi City on 3 July 2018. The event was participated by MRCS programmatic leads where they learned about the Gender and diversity Policy and cross-cutting issue that link with the 2016-2020 strategy. The participants also discussed how they can integrate G&D into their respective activities and program through seven fundamental principles. A total of 117 people (19 females) attended the training.

Singapore Red Cross Humanitarian Lecture: From Banker to Humanitarian, for China’s “Blood Orphans”
2018-12-07
The infamous “plasma economy” of the 1980s and 1990s orphaned thousands of children in China. Against all odds, Hong Kong-born investment banker Chung To founded the Chi Heng Foundation (“wisdom in action” in Chinese) in 1998, and subsequently gave up his career to work full-time at the nonprofit. Today, Chi Heng Foundation sponsors 9,000 children in education and care, and cumulatively, over 20,000 children across twelve provinces in China.

The Singapore Red Cross presents a Humanitarian Lecture by Chung To, who will speak on developing a systematic and sustainable humanitarian programme for vulnerable children, whilst leveraging innovative and pragmatic approaches and navigating challenges and political sensitivity.
Date: 7 December 2018 (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Venue: YWCA Fort Canning Lodge, Ballroom, 6 Fort Canning Road Singapore 179494
https://goo.gl/forms/5ALpObQ5QrKwb9AB3

Humanitarian Education Xperience (HEX) 2018 “In Exile for a While”
2018-12-08
The refugee issue is perhaps the world’s most pressing challenge today. Singapore Red Cross aims to raise awareness on this global crisis and invites you to experience the life of a refugee for a day.
“In Exile for a While” will bring you through a series of journey that will test your critical thinking and decision-making skills. The experience is aimed at enhancing the understanding towards refugees and encouraging participants to view the crisis in a different light.
Date: 8 December 2018 (Saturday)
Time: 9am to 6pm
Venue: Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Lane, Red Cross House, Singapore 238486
Registration URL: https://goo.gl/forms/McSRw67NmBJpHD4u2

Viet Nam Red Cross Conducts Training on Cash & Data Management | 5-8 March 2019 | Ha Noi, Viet Nam
2019-03-05 - 2019-03-08
Viet Nam Red Cross society (VNRC) is implementing a cash preparedness project since the past year which paves the way to acceptance of cash as one of their aid delivery modalities from emergency response to recovery and long-term development. Significant key achievements have been noted as manifested in the successful completion of several cash in emergency DREF responses and finalization of the VNRC’s CVA position paper among others. Results of external evaluations and the midterm review conducted last November 2018 revealed the little use VNRC makes of new technologies in general, digital means for data collection and management, such as tablets and mobile phones. As a result, considerable amount of time is spent on beneficiary data entry and sanitising the excel document to comply with data quality requirements. These bottlenecks affect the desired speed and over-all effectiveness of the assistance. VNRC will soon start delivering cash assistance though financial service provider to process fund transfers which further compounds the need for timely collection and management of data meeting the required quality standards.
To move forward, a 5-day workshop were organized in Ha Noi from 5th to 8th March 2019 with participation 32 people (12 female) from VNRC, IFRC, Swiss Red Cross, American Red Cross, government disaster management agency, Save the Children, and Catholic Relief Services. The training was facilitated by the IFRC and Swiss Red Cross.
The purpose of the training to build the capacity of VNRC staff by understanding and practically apply mobile data collection and management tools which will be rapidly deployed in response to emergencies. This training also attempted to link mobile data collection systems to beneficiary registration and monitoring in VNRC.
Evaluation from participants:
Overall it seems that participants were satisfied with the workshop as an introduction to digital data collection and management. Data literacy has strong links to other areas of work such as monitoring and reporting which were also of interest for participants but the time available was insufficient.
Next steps:
It is important that VNRC staff could practice the use of the digital tools in the scenario which is planned to take place in May so that data is collected with RR
Collect, managed with the RR platform and then linked to the FSP for cash distribution. Then VNRC can complete the learning cycle and put into practice what has been taught in the training.

Lao Red Cross Reviews Effectiveness of Attapeu Flash Floods Emergency Response Operation | 14 March 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
2019-03-14 | Attapeu, Lao People's Democratic Republic
Lao Red Cross (LRC) has conducted an internal lesson learned workshop during a planning meeting in Attapeu on 14 March 2019.
Participants: 17 persons, from headquarters and Attapeu Chapter including the leads from the Disaster Management, Health, International Relations, Finance, and Administrations departments.
Objective: To discuss what went well, challenges and recommendations consolidated from the beginning of the operation until the end of the emergency phase.
Outcome: The workshop allowed participants to discuss and review about the operation. The participants were divided into two groups, each had representatives from both headquarters and chapter.
Group 1’s discussion:
What went well:
* LRC HQ established a flood response committee
* Good support from partners
* Strong Communication with different sectors
* Received Fund and budget from society and others
Challenges:
* No previous experience to face such kind of disaster (this is the first-time floods happened due to dam collapse in Laos)
* Poor road condition and difficult to access.
* Not enough vehicles and rescue equipment
* Unclear communication between HQ and Provincial level
* Lack of skilled and experienced HR
* There are some gaps on the operation
Recommendations:
* Should have a clear plan and strategy to implement activities.
* Build capacity to all staffs who focus on emergency response.
* Support operation equipment
* Build a strong relationship with partners and other stakeholders
* Support allowance to staffs and volunteers who work so hard for the operation.
Group 2’s discussion:
What went well:
* All staffs have responsibilities on their own work
* There is some discussion and planning among the team
* Good communication with other partners
* There is teamwork within the organization
* Received relief items and equipment
* Good support from partners (IFRC, German Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, Thai Red Cross Society, etc)
Challenges:
* Road condition is poor and difficult to access.
* Most of the staff has no experiences in emergency response
* There was no emergency plan of action (Fund, People, equipment…)
* Uncleared communication system
* Shortage of rescue equipment and vehicle
* Lack of preparation for flood response
Recommendations:
* Emergency response plan needs to exist
* Trained volunteer should be in place in each area/chapter so that they can respond immediately
* LRC should create a volunteer system under Red Cross chapter
* Should have enough rescue equipment and vehicles
* Capacity building for staff and volunteers about Disaster Management/ Disaster Risk Reduction/Disaster Response Management

Lao Red Cross Conducts Needs Assessment for Recovery Phase of Attapeu Emergency Operation | 15-25 March 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
2019-03-15 - 2019-03-25
A primary assessment was done by the Lao Red Cross team for 1,936 households in 12 villages (Khokkong, Thaouan, Donmuang, Donbok, Pindong, Tamoryord, Hinlath, Hadoudomsay, Sompoy, Hadyao, Tangao and Hinsombat) under Samamsay district. The assessment narrowed down the number of target beneficiaries for shelter repairment which are 321 households from 10 villages (Thaouan, Donmuang, Donbok, Pindong, Tamoryord, hadoudomsay, Sompoy, Hadyao, Tangao and Hinsombat ).
In addition, the assessment also identified 384 households which will need either latrine construction (217 households) or latrine repair (167 households). TCurrently, the assessment team is summarising the data to determine the livelihoods support needed. The data validation process is also ongoing to select the final list of beneficiaries.
Download the full assessment report here to see the steps taken during the assessment and the specific needs of the 12 villages.

Human Trafficking in Disaster and Crisis Setting Presentation | 22 March 2019 | Bangkok, Thailand
2019-03-22 | Bangkok, Thailand
On 22 March 2019, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and UNDP/UN-ACT co-hosted a half-day seminar on ‘Human Trafficking in Disaster and Crisis Settings: experiences throughout Asia with a focus on Cox’s Bazar’ (see invitation)
The event was moderated by Mr Ezekiel (Zeke) Simperingham, IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement Coordinator. On the first panel were Ms Samantha McCormack from the UNHCR Global Protection Cluster Task Team on Anti-Trafficking who join remotely via link from Geneva, and Ms Marika McAdam, an Independent International Legal Advisor. They spoke on ‘Bridging the Gap: Global structures, efforts, policies and experiences to combat human trafficking with a people-centered approach’. This was followed by a second panel on ‘The risks of human trafficking in Cox´s Bazar: Ways to combat trafficking, mitigate risks and enhance dignity.’ During this session Dr Rebecca Miller of the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (AFDM), and Ms Valeria Ragni, the British Red Cross’ Senior Anti-Trafficking Advisor presented findings from recent assessments conducted by their respective organisations (see agenda).
Over 70 attendees from a variety of backgrounds, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, humanitarians, representatives of diplomatic missions, UN staff, academics, and civil society actors attended the event, which furthered the commitment of the IFRC to addressing humanitarian needs of migrants and displaced people across the Asia Pacific region (see IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement: Framework for Action – Reducing Vulnerability, Enhancing Resilience 2017 – 2022). In addition, it also highlighted the nexus between migrant labour and trafficking (see Addressing the Humanitarian Consequences of Labour Migration and Trafficking: The Role of Asia Pacific National Societies), and current programmes and activities undertaken by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and in Laos following the collapse of the mega dam, as well as ensuring complementarity with the IFRC’s work as it relates to Protection, Gender and Inclusion in humanitarian responses.

Lao Red Cross Conducts Protection, Gender and Inclusion Training | 29 March 2019 | Vientiane, Lao PDR
2019-03-29
Lao Red Cross (LRC) conducted a training on Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) for its staff at the headquarters on 29 March 2019. The objective of the training includes disseminating information about PGI ad violence against women to LRC staff, and sharing and discussing the ways forward to integrating PGI to all sectors of LRC operation.
The training was participated by 20 representatives from various departments of LRC (disaster management, health, etc) and from the National Commission for the Advancement of Women (NCAW).

3rd ASEAN Regional Conference on School Safety | 3-4 April 2019 | Bangkok, Thailand
2019-04-02 - 2019-04-04
Southeast Asia is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. More than 50 percent of the global disaster mortalities took place in ASEAN from 2004 to 2014 with about 354,000 fatalities. During the same period, about 191 million people were temporarily displaced, and another 193 million people were affected or experienced different types of losses due to disasters.
The education sector is highly affected by disasters and other risks owing to a large amount of time the children and teachers spend in schools. There have been many instances when children or teaching staff lost their lives or got injured in schools during disasters. Recent disasters in the ASEAN region damaged school facilities, especially those with poor building design, non-engineered construction, or site selection, which prevented students from accessing schools. Children’s education is also disrupted when schools are used as temporary shelters or evacuation areas for those affected by disasters. Major setbacks on development investments in the education sector are also experienced during disasters especially when risk reduction policies are not adequately prioritised.
Recognising the impacts of disasters on children and education sector, ASEAN has established the ASEAN Safe Schools Initiative (ASSI) which promotes a comprehensive integration of risk reduction in the Education Sector. This initiative is a priority of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2016-2020 (Priority Programme #2: Building Safe ASEAN Infrastructures and Essential Service) and the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016-2020 (Priority Area 5.2: Promoting inclusion of disaster risk reduction in national curriculum through support to relevant sectors’ initiatives).
To support the ASSI goals and Programme Strategy, ASSI, with the leadership of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and Seniors Official Meeting on Education (SOM-ED), conducts a biennial regional conference as a venue for advocacy, discussion, and learning exchange among stakeholders on DRR in Education and School Safety in ASEAN. The first ASEAN Regional Conference on School Safety, held in December 2015 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia saw the formal launch of the ASEAN Common Framework 1 ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management (2016). The second ASEAN Regional Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2017, gathered the re-affirmation of ASEAN countries and other partners and stakeholders’ to continue their school safety efforts in alignment with the country commitments to contribute in accomplishing the newly adopted AADMER Work Programme 2016-2020 and the ASEAN Regional Work Plan on Education 2016-2020 as well as the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 targets and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
This year, as we are heading towards the end of the ASEAN Programme Strategy 2017-2020, the 3 rd ASEAN Regional Conference on School Safety will be focusing on the assessment of the region’s progress in school safety work and in shaping the discussions toward outlining the ASEAN regional perspectives, approaches, and strategies on school safety post- AADMER Work Programme 2016-2020 and ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016-2020.
Participation and visibility of RCRC
Twenty participants from 11 Southeast Asia National Societies as well as IFRC Secretariat and Global Disaster Preparedness Centre have attended which made the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement very visible during the Conference.

RCRC school safety works were recognized and appreciated by ASEAN and School Safety actors in Southeast Asia
More partnership opportunities were explored through dialogues among SEA NSs participants and their respective government officials from Ministries of Education and/or National Disaster Management Offices and other INGOs.

RCRC engagement

Plenary Session

Mr. Jaryll Ong Pang Sng, Malaysian Red Crescent represented “youth group” (requested by the organisers) and presented “Scaling-up School Safety through Youth Leadership” mentioning not only MRC’s school safety work but also existing and potential RCRC added-value on school safety work, with reference to global and regional agenda such as SDGs, ASEAN’s Culture of Prevention, AADMER’s Work Programme 2016-2020.
RCRC youth voice was raised and appreciated as it was only RCRC who brought youth leaders to the Conference while “youth leadership/engagement” was mentioned by some sessions including plenary session by UNISDR.

Thematic session led by IFRC

IFRC has organised a session together with Thai RC, Dow Group Thailand, Prudence Foundation, Philippine RC and Department of Education Philippines under the theme of Multi-stakeholders’ engagement in School Safety.
Building on the existing good practices (3 different joint works were introduced), moderated by IFRC CCST Bangkok, it was discussed how we can further collaborate to scale-up the reach and impact to make sure no children and youth are left behind. It was emphasised that no single organisation can make a difference alone, and thus this triangular cooperation (governments, civil societies, corporate sector) is a key.
The key message on the importance of scaling-up school safety work through enhanced partnership was strongly emphasized and framed up the discussion on widening collaboration opportunities through concrete examples (Safe Steps campaign, MoU and implementation plan in Philippines) and SEA NSs engagement.

Partners’ statement

Head of IFRC CCST Bangkok delivered IFRC’s statement on behalf of 11 SEA NSs at the closing session (download full statement here).
Our 4 commitments made are;

To strengthen and broaden the engagement of children and youth by mobilizing 3.6 million youth members.
To scale up our contribution for nation-wide impact by engaging with public authorities through result-based and structured partnerships building on existing best practices in the region.
To institutionalise partnerships around ASSI as an inclusive and long-term platform whereby we bring our results together and demonstrate our collective impact.
To facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration, with a specific call on the corporate sector, including innovative actors and start-ups, to more significantly engage in school safety as a cost-effective and societal contribution.

Conference documents

Concept note
Thematic sessions agenda
Ignite presentation program
Exhibition guide
Consolidated presentations from IFRC-led thematic session
Final outcome report

More photos from the event are available for download here!

Asia Pacific Regional Training of Trainers on WASH Guidelines for Hygiene Promotion in Emergency Operations | 22-26 April 2019 | Bandung, Indonesia
2019-04-22 - 2019-04-26
During 22-26 April 2019, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will be conducting an Asia Pacific Regional Training of Trainers on WASH Guidelines for Hygiene Promotion (HP) in Emergency Operations in Bandung, Indonesia.
The five-day training aims to increase the capacity of Asia Pacific National Societies to plan, implement and lead HP initiatives as part of a wider emergency water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH) programme, which is relevant to the context to prevent water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases.
Specific objectives of the training include:
1. To introduce/orientate participants to the new IFRC WASH guidelines for hygiene promotion in emergency operations;
2. To strengthen participants’ technical skills and knowledge in delivering a training on the WASH guidelines for hygiene promotion in emergency operations;
3. To develop core skills of participatory facilitation and learning;
4. To train participants from Asia Pacific National Societies in a common methodology, in order to strengthen the network of WASH staff within the region; and
5. To work towards establishing the Bandung training centre as a hub for training in the Asia Pacific region.
It is important to include an effective hygiene promotion (HP) programme as part of all WASH interventions in an emergency response. HP activities encourage awareness of key public health risks among the affected population, and are enabled to adopt safe hygiene practices and make the best use of WASH facilities and services (including their operation and maintenance).
The Red Cross Red Crescent, unlike many organizations, is in a unique position of having community-based staff and volunteers and is well-placed to work with communities, which is essential in rolling out HP initiatives. However, experience has shown that during an emergency response the approach generally focuses on ‘delivering’ HP in the form of giving messages. The new “WASH guidelines for hygiene promotion in emergency operations” assist Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers to work systematically, working through all the important steps for planning, implementing and monitoring HP, starting with understanding the problem, the barriers and motivators for behaviour change – with the community involved at all stages – listening and working with the affected community, ensuring the response is effective and appropriate to the needs. Although every situation is different, this approach, with a clear pathway, assists with quality assurance, linking with agreed standards, assuring effective implementation, with monitoring and training appropriate to the needs.
Pre-Training Reading Materials

Concept paper
WASH Guidelines for Hygiene Promotion for Emergency Operations
Training agenda and timeline
Dashboard
Road Traffic Dashboard

Logistic Information

Welcome package
Health Advice
IFRC Security Regulations
Practical Information for Bandung

Click here to visit an associated site for more resources.

Viet Nam Red Cross Conducts Minimum Expenditure Basket Workshop | 24-26 April 2019 | Hanoi, Viet Nam
2019-04-24 - 2019-04-26 | Hanoi, Viet Nam
Cash & Vouchers Assistance (CVA) has increasingly become a preferred option in humanitarian response in Viet Nam. Various stakeholders including UNDP, FAO, IOM, UN Women, IFRC, Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC), Catholic Relief Service (CRS) and Save the Children have addressed needs of disaster affected people through CVA. In 2017 alone, most of the funding from UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) was allocated to CVA interventions.
There are different approaches to CVA in terms of transfer values and targeting processes. Being cognizant of global and local trends towards coherent and coordinated approaches toward CVA to optimize resources, the in-country Cash Working Group (CWG) was created. The group aims to organise a platform of stakeholders engaged in CVA to exchange experiences and knowledge, communicate best practices and lesson learned on CVA, as well as to seek harmonization of CVA approaches both in terms of process and transfer value. To achieve this, apart from regular coordination meetings, the CWG proposes capacity building for its members, particularly on market assessments and calculation of transfer values.
To carry it forward, IFRC/VNRC and FAO jointly organized the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) Workshop in Hanoi between 24 and 26 April with 17 participants (10 female) from VNRC, Swiss Red Cross, UNDP, UNICEF, CRS, Care International, World Vision and Plan International. The Regional cash working group (IFRC and CaLP) provided technical support. The workshop provided common understanding on MEB and transfer value calculation following disaster and crisis. The next steps will be the consultation with cluster specialists to finalize the MEB (e.g. shelter, WASH and food security) so that it has the input from the different sectors. This workshop, coupled with field work, is expected to harmonize the calculation of transfer values in humanitarian programmes and to harmonize the methodology and amounts actually delivered to beneficiaries. The workshop objectives are i) to enhance capacity on market assessment for CWG members and ii) o propose MEB which is mutually agreed among stakeholders within the CWG.

Myanmar Red Cross Society Holds Workshop To Discuss Findings on Migration, Displacement
2019-05-16 - 2019-05-17
From 16-17 May 2019, the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) held a workshop in Yangon to discuss the findings of a new MRCS Assessment on Migration and Displacement. The workshop was an opportunity for the new MRCS Task Force on Migration and Displacement to discuss and input into the draft assessment findings. The workshop also included the first ever meeting of the Red Cross Movement Task Force on Migration and Displacement. The workshop was led by the MRCS Director of the RFL Department, Daw Su Su Lynn, with the support of IFRC (including the IFRC Country Office, the IFRC Regional Migration and Displacement Coordinator and the new IFRC Myanmar Migration Delegate – Amanda Aye). The workshop was also supported by the British Red Cross.
The workshop follows on from the MRCS National Strategic Dialogue on Migration and Displacement held in November 2018 and the resulting 10-point Action Plan on Migration and Displacement.
The assessment findings include:

Trends and dynamics related to migration and displacement in and from Myanmar, especially related to asylum seekers and refugees, IDPs, persons who have been trafficked, migrant workers and undocumented migrants;
Humanitarian needs at different stages of migration and displacement;
The role and activities of key stakeholders, including the Government of Myanmar;
The existing programmes and activities of MRCS related to migration and displacement

The workshop participants included MRCS Madame President, Executive Committee members, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and members of the MRCS Migration and Displacement Task Force including Directors from Disaster Management, Health, Restoring Family Links, First Aid Safety and Security (FASS) and the Southeast Project.
Presentations were delivered by representative from MRCS departments including Rakhine Operations, South-East Project, as well as external agencies – UNHCR, IOM, ILO.
Immediately after the workshop, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) chaired the inaugural Movement-wide Migration and Displacement Taskforce meeting. At this meeting, the MRCS Taskforce presented the findings and discussion points from the workshop to the Movement-wide Task Force including ICRC, IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Migration & Displacement Coordinator, American Red Cross, Asia Pacific Migration Network (APMN) Secretariat, British Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, German Red Cross and Swedish Red Cross.
The needs assessment report will be finalised and will function as a guiding document and baseline report for next actions of MRCS, including the development of a Migration and Displacement training programme, an MRCS Migration Policy, and for future programming initiatives.

Community Engagement and Accountability Training | 20-24 May 2019 | Yangon, Myanmar
2019-05-20 - 2019-05-24
Today Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) is a key value of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which is reflected in its programmatic approach and several commitments of the ICRC, IFRC (including the Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance and the General Assembly Beneficiary Communication Resolution DD/6.4/1) and National Societies. In addition, the Movement has committed to more systematic and better documented approaches to communicating, engaging with and being accountable to the vulnerable people we support through pledges made in the context of the Grand Bargain.
As a Movement, we want to be more systematic in the way we communicate with communities, to listen proactively and include them in decisions that affect their lives, as well as create spaces where their voices are heard and acted upon. The need to improve the approach to CEA is also magnified by the rapidly changing humanitarian landscape, technological innovations and changes in how people communicate and connect, developments that empower communities to demand greater transparency and participation.
Training Rational
In February 2017, the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) Pilot Guide, including a set of tools and templates, that provide Movement partners with adaptable and practical guidance on ways to integrate CEA approaches into any programme or operation. The ambition is to strengthen IFRC, ICRC and National Societies’ capacity to:

provide accessible, timely, relevant and actionable life-saving information, promote better understanding of people’s perceptions and behaviours and sustain changes over time,
promote two-way communication, participation and feedback to listen and address people’s needs, concerns, feedback and complaints as well as foster an environment of greater, engagement, trust and accountability,
leverage on relevant social mediums and connectivity that can best reach and engage the communities.
create spaces for communities to speak out and make their voices heard to influence decision making.

Training Documents

Concept Note
Agenda

Viet Nam Red Cross Conducts Pre-Disaster Meeting | 22 May 2019 | Hanoi, Viet Nam
2019-05-22
Pre-disaster meeting (PDM) has become a routine exercise of Viet Nam Red Cross for the past several years. The event brought both management and technical people together to review the achievements and lessons learned from the previous disaster season, and discuss, mobilise and prepare for what are to be projected in coming months.
The event is a great opportunity for strengthening partnership with both internal and external partners (VNDMA, NGOs, IOs and donors) and to prove with partners VNRC’s capacity, methodologies of doing things, response tools including policies to facilitate so call an effective response operation. It is more meaningful for VNRC Headquarters and disaster-prone chapters to have dialogues and better understanding between each other on what need to be done to ensure an effective disaster response.
The event was attended by almost 80 participants from VNRC HQs, disaster prone provinces, partner National Societies, ICRC, IFRC and external partners of UN Country Team, NGOs, INGOs, governmental agencies and private sector.
On this occasion, the IFRC CCST presented Viet Nam Red Cross the ASEAN Award for School Safety Initiative in recognition of Viet Nam RC’s great contribution toward building safer and more resilient communities in Viet Nam and a resilient ASEAN region.

Lao Delegation Visits Viet Nam To Learn About Emergency Fund | 27-30 May 2019 | Hanoi, Viet Nam
2019-05-27 - 2019-05-30
From 27-30 May, Lao delegation paid an official visit to Viet Nam to learn and exchange information on sub-legislation and establishing a dedicated disaster management fund decree, and best practices and challenges in its implementation. The delegation was led by Mr. Vilayphong Sisomvang- Acting Director General and Head of Secretariat of National Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control (NCDPC) together with representatives of Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Lao Red Cross.
On 28 May in Hanoi, the Lao delegation was received by Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC); Ministry of Labour and Invalid and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA). In the morning, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Viet Nam Red Cross and was received by Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh- Viet Nam Red Cross’s Vice President and Secretary General who has expressed his recognition of long-term and neighbouring bilateral relationships between the two countries and two Red Cross National Societies and he also emphasized that Viet Nam Red Cross will continue to accompany and provide support to Lao Red Cross in various areas such as Red Cross Law development and implementation; community based initiatives; livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable people so on so forth. On this occasion, VNRC shared its experience in establishment and management of its emergency fund as well as its disaster preparedness and response capacity.
In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Nguyen Duc Quang, Director of Disaster Response Department of Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and his team. At the meeting, Mr. Quang enthusiastically shared with the delegation of step by step process in establishing the Disaster Prevention and Control Fund aftermath the Disaster Prevention and Control Law in 2014 and guided by Decree 64/TTg on Disaster Prevention and Control Fund. According to Mr. Quang, majority of provinces in Viet Nam have already had the fund established and but the use of the fund has its limitation due to lack of guidance and mechanism in place. Mr. Quang also mentioned that the revision of the Disaster Prevention and Control Law and several Decrees are under the process. The afternoon session went very well with a lot of technical questions and discussions.
The next day 29 May, the delegation visits Hai Phong city, it is one of the most successful provinces in the country in establishing and managing the fund since the availability of Decree 64/TTg. At the reception, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chuyen- Vice chairman of the provincial people committee briefed the delegation of some remarkable tiers of friendship between the city and two other provinces of Laos such as Vientiane province and Oudomxay as well as the city economic development in the past years. After the reception, both sides had two intensive session to deeply discuss on the disaster prevention and control fund.

Viet Nam Red Cross Conducts Financial Service Provider Simulation Exercise | 4-5 June 2019 | Quang Tri, Viet Nam
2019-06-04 - 2019-06-05
The simulation was conducted in five communes in Quang Tri province between 4 and 5 June 2019. In total, 1,013 people who are poor and nearly poor were selected to participate in the piloting. Each person received VND 250,000 (CHF 10.5) as allowance for their travel cost (petrol) and/or their wages. Out of the total number of beneficiaries, 428 persons registered with Viettel, while 585 others accessed the Post Office service, both of which are financial service providers (FSPs).
The simulation is part of the project “Cash Preparedness Initiative” implemented by selected National Societies with the technical support from IFRC. The goal of the Asia Cash Preparedness initiative is for Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) to have the capacity and the ability to use cash transfer programming in emergencies, recovery and resilience activities in a faster and more scalable way.
The simulation observed the following:

Distribution sites were well set up;
Both FSPs were efficient and familiar with their services.
Encashment went very well. Staff of the two FSPs showed good attitude and patience to beneficiaries, particularly with those who have no experience with using ATM card (with Viettel) and who are proxy (with Post Office).
Cooperation and support from the local authority was provided. In some communes, desks were arranged so that local authority leader could verify the relationship between the beneficiaries and their proxy.
Distribution tickets were handed over to beneficiaries between 1 to 2 days prior to the distribution. At the distribution site, PO distributed cash in envelops. They managed from validation to distribution. Given their experience with other organizations, PO can distribute to 120 people within one hour with a team of 6 distributors and validators and 2 site managers. Reconciliation was done at end of each distribution with signatures of VNRC, PO and local authorities.
Logos of VNRC, purpose of the cash, role of VNRC (cash supported by VNRC) and PO (as distributor) are indicative in the envelope containing cash provided to beneficiaries. However, there is no VNRC logo in the distribution ticket. This needs to be improved in the future. Proxy needs verification by local authority leaders.
Viettel Pay set up mobile counters at each commune where they handed over the ATM cards and helped beneficiaries to encash out directly with them. SMS message was sent to beneficiary’s phone numbers to update balance in their accounts (auto message). In addition, ViettelPay supported (free) another message informing the date, time and place where people can encash out. It took around three hours for ViettelPay to complete distribution to around 100 beneficiaries. Proxy was accepted with ID and mobile phone of beneficiaries plus the proxy’s ID. It was observed that around 90% of beneficiaries accessed accounts/ATM cards for the first time.
Beneficiary exist survey were conducted at each distribution site by volunteers, using KOTO TOOLBOX. In total, 168 beneficiaries were interviewed. See below for further details.
In total, 581 out of 588 beneficiaries received cash through PO. 7 beneficiaries moved to other places. As with Viettel, 412 out of 425 people have received ATM and encashed out. Viettel handed the rest of 13 ATM cards to Red Cross commune staff who will deliver them to the beneficiaries who did not show up in the distribution.

CBDRR, SBDRR Refresher Training | 10-11 June 2019 | Bangkok, Thailand
2019-06-10 - 2019-06-11 | Bangkok, Thailand
During the first implementation phase of “Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity in Thailand” supported by USAID/OFDA from July 2016 to December 2018, 11 villages and 10 schools in 3 flood-prone provinces namely Angthong, Nakornnayok and Singburi were provided with both software (e.g. training on disaster management and simulation exercise) and hardware (e.g. first aid kit and CBDRR box). Before continuing the second phase which expands the implementation to 30 other communities across Thailand, it is recommended to organize a CBDRR-SBDRR Refresher Training in order to review the key concepts and approach as well as to encourage peer-to-peer learning among Health Stations across the country.
Objectives
• To review the key concepts such as Disaster Management, Community Resilience, CBDRR approach and School Safety Framework
• To share and learn from previous implementation in different provinces
• To review the workplan of CBDRR-SBDRR in OFDA phase 2
Training Documents:

Concept note
Agenda
Participant list

Presentations
Day 1:

Introduction, Agenda and Objectives
Disaster Management, Sendai Framework and Climate Change Concepts
IFRC Framework for Community Resilience & Protection, Gender and Inclusion
Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction: Community Plan and 8-step CBDRR
Comprehensive School Safety Framework
School Safety Good Practices and Tools (Save the Children)
Comprehensive School Safety Projects (Plan International). Click here to download supporting materials.

Day 2:

Community-Based Disaster Risk Management
Risk Assessment
School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
SBDRR Activities by Thai Red Cross Health Station 7

References
IFRC Framework for Community Resilience (2014)
IFRC Roadmap to Community Resilience (2016)
IFRC’s Minimum standards for protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) in emergencies (2018)
Glossary on Disaster Risk Management (in Thai) (UNDP and DDPM, 2014)
Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) Guidelines for public (in Thai) (Thai Red Cross Society, 2015)
E-Learning Safe School
Comprehensive School Safety Framework (in Thai)
Event photos: Click here to view the album and here for the training report.

First Aid Training for Lao Red Cross Staff | 17-18 June 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
2019-06-17 - 2019-06-18
Lao Red Cross conducted a first aid training for its staff at Attapeu Branch during 17-18 June 2019. The two-day training aimed to provide Attapeu staff basic knowledge about how to provide primary care to affected people during emergency. The training cover the first aid techniques including CPR as well as how to treat patients with burns, severe bleeding, broken bones, snake bites, etc.
The training was attended by 22 Red Cross branch staff and three participants from local disaster response agency.
Click here to view the training report in Lao language.

Proposal Writing and Project/Programme Planning Training for Lao Red Cross | 24-27 June 2019 | Vientiane, Lao PDR
2019-06-24 - 2019-06-27
As an auxiliary to the Government, Lao Red Cross (LRC) conducts activities within a range of programmes including emergency response, water and sanitation, health, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, livelihoods, first aid, and youth. The devastating flash floods caused by torrential rains in 2016 and the dam collapse in 2018, have demonstrated the importance of coordinated emergency response, at a regional and global level, in dealing with large-scale disasters.
The two-year USAID/OFDA funded project “Red Ready” aims to strengthen LRC’s organizational capacities, readiness and resilience in responding to disasters. As part of the project, LRC headquarters and branch staff will be supported in developing proposal writing skills and enhancing the knowledge of Project/Programme Planning (PPP). The three-day training is expected to support LRC in its upcoming engagement with national, regional and international partners. In addition, the Red Ready Program is also strengthening LRC’s knowledge in statistics and data recording which will complement the management of its operation.
In further promoting regional and international coordination for disaster management and response, LRC will be supported in enhancing its capacities in proposal writing and project/programme planning.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will offer a three-day training that focuses on the following:

Two-day training on effective and comprehensive development of proposal for funding, touching on the key elements of a proposal and writing process, and providing a hands-on writing exercise.
One-day overview of the key elements that complete the process of project/programme planning.

Training documents:

Concept note and agenda
Proposal Writing (in English and Lao languages)
Project/Programme Planning (in English and Lao languages)

Photos from the training:

Asia Pacific Region Emergency WASH Training | 24-28 June 2019 | Bandung, Indonesia
2019-06-24 - 2019-06-28
During 24-28 June 2019, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will be conducting an Asia Pacific Region Emergency WASH Training in Bandung, Indonesia.
The five-day training aims to develop and strengthen the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) emergency response capacity in the Asia Pacific region in the WASH sector as well as to enhance technical knowledge and skills of National Society staff and volunteers.
Specific objectives
1. Increase participants’ technical skills and knowledge to deploy and operate existing WASH disaster response tools, aligned with regional and global WASH disaster response systems;
2. Train participants from Asia Pacific National Societies in a common methodology, in order to build a platform for future collaborative response mechanisms between these National Societies, strengthening the network of WASH response staff and volunteers within the region; and
3. Ensure all participants are familiar with the available coordination mechanisms and assessment tools for emergency response.
Background
Regional disaster response teams (RDRTs) in the Asia Pacific Region began in 2003 out of a recognised need for increased disaster response capacity in South Asia and South East Asia. Due to the need to deploy RDRTs with specialised skills, several specialised curriculums for Logistics, WASH, Health in Emergencies, Information Technology and Telecommunications, and Shelter have been developed. The Asia Pacific region has had approximately 44% of the total global deployments of Emergency Response Units (ERUs). Furthermore, WASH-specific ERUs and Kits mobilised in the Asia Pacific region have made up 41% of the global total deployments.
Pre-training reading materials

Concept paper
Emergency WASH Online Course 2019

Click here to visit an associated site for more resources.

Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Training for Lao Red Cross Staff | 27-28 June 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
2019-06-27 - 2019-06-28
Lao Red Cross conducted an Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene training for its staff at Attapeu Branch during 27-28 June 2019. The two-day training aimed to equip Lao Red Cross staff in Attapeu branch with knowledge and skills that will enable them to provide safe and clean water, as well as sanitation and hygiene support to affected people during emergencies.
The training was attended by 18 Red Cross branch staff and three participants from local disaster response agency.
Click here to view the training report in Lao language.

South Asia Leadership Meeting | 29-30 June 2019 | The Maldives
2019-06-29 - 2019-06-30
South Asia National Societies Leadership Meeting is a forum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the South Asian Region to renew and strengthen the collaboration among internal and external stakeholders to extend our hands for the humanitarian services.
With the purpose of discussing key issues of the South Asian National Societies and explore possibilities for further coordination and collaboration for addressing existing and emerging trends and challenges, South Asia Leadership forum took place in the Maldives from 29-30 June 2019.
The leadership meeting is an important opportunity for presidents, secretaries, general and senior management in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to evaluate challenges, successes and future direction, as a way of further strengthening the world’s largest humanitarian network.
2018 South Asia Leadership Meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal

Administrative documents:

Agenda

Reference documents:

Meeting notes from 2018 South Asia Leadership Meeting
Manila Call for Action
2018 Governing Board Decision – Geneva

Meeting presentations:

Letter from Asia Pacific Migration Network to South Asian leaders
Keynote address by the Maldivian National Disaster Management Authority Deputy Chief Executive
Women and Leadership: Gender Parity and Inclusion by Maldivian Red Cross Secretary General
