Reflecting on the journey of the AHA Centre throughout 2023, this annual report stands as a testament to the collective efforts and resilience demonstrated by our community.
We are deeply thankful to the Vice Chair of the Governing Board and all its esteemed members members for the unwavering support during Viet Nam’s chairmanship in 2023. Together, we embraced the ethos of One ASEAN One Response in ensuring the realisation of activities as outlined in the AADMER Work Programme (AWP) 2021-2025.
As the operational engine of AADMER, the AHA Centre has been pivotal in our journey. As you will find in the following pages, the dedication and expertise of the AHA Centre have been instrumental in shaping our successes throughout the year.
Among the highlights of 2023 are the emergency response to Typhoon Mocha, which saw the deployment of ASEAN-ERAT and DELSA relief items in Myanmar and the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Both endeavours showcased our commitment to enhancing regional disaster resilience. Additionally, the hosting of key events such as the ASEAN-ERAT Level 2 Courses and the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the ACDM underscored our continued dedication to capacity building and collaboration.
Under Viet Nam’s chairmanship, we were also honoured to host the 42nd and 43rd Meetings of ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), as well as the 18th and 19th Meetings of the Governing Board of the AHA Centre. These gatherings served as platforms for forging new partnerships, including the signing of Memoranda of Intent (MoIs) with JICA and ADRC. These new partnerships are key to further enhancing AHA Centre’s disaster response capabilities across the region.
As we pass the torch to Brunei Darussalam for the year 2024, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the incoming Chair of the Governing Board and ACDM Chair. We look forward to continuing to rise through every moment, fortified by our collective determination to build a safer, more resilient ASEAN Community.