Today, Janez Lenarčič, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, and Nararya Soeprapto, the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, witnessed the signing of an agreement on disaster management between the EU’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and ASEAN’s Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).
This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the EU and ASEAN countries in preparing for and responding to disasters. It will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between ASEAN and the EU, the deployment and exchange of experts, and the development of training programmes.
“The agreement is proof of how concrete, results-orientated cooperation can strengthen disaster management and emergency response efforts on different sides of the world. The EU is proud to have been a longstanding partner of ASEAN and the AHA Centre since the outset of the Centre’s establishment. And over the years, the AHA Centre has become a knowledge hub on disaster management in ASEAN,” said the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, HE Janez Lenarčič.
Recently, the EU has been actively supporting the AHA Centre through a long-term initiative called “Integrated Programmes in Enhancing the Capacity of the AHA Centre and ASEAN Emergency Response Mechanisms” (EU-SAHA). With a contribution of €7.2 million from 2020 to 2025, EU-SAHA focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, corporate policies, and management at the AHA Centre. It enhances the operational capacity of the AHA Centre in monitoring, preparing for, and responding to disasters, improving the preparedness and joint response capabilities of ASEAN and promoting professionalism through standards and certification.
“This agreement between DG ECHO and the AHA Centre demonstrates our commitment to elevate the partnership of two regions in the field of disaster management and emergency response. Together, we can enhance speed, expand scale, and strengthen solidarity in responding to emergencies with the spirit of One ASEAN, One Response. We look forward to working with our colleagues from Europe in realising a more disaster resilient global community,” said Mr Lee Yam Ming, Executive Director of the AHA Centre.
