MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) visited the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC). The visit was a part of a workshop of the 5th ASEAN Joint Disaster Response Plan (AJDRP) conducted on August 13-15. The workshop aimed at improving coordination between ASEAN member states and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in disaster preparedness and response.
Established in 2011, the AHA Centre has played crucial roles in enhancing disaster management capabilities across Southeast Asia. Through workshops, training programs, and emergency relief operations, the AHA Centre has significantly contributed to disaster preparedness efforts of Indonesia. With the adoption of the AJDRP at the 29th ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) meeting in Manado in October 2016, the AHA Centre has regularly conducted workshops to review and strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of emergency response systems in the ASEAN region.
The 5th AJDRP Workshop in Yogyakarta aimed to strengthen coordination mechanisms with CSOs in addressing disaster challenges in ASEAN and learn how CSOs have responded to past disasters. This event is expected to enhance synergy among various stakeholders in disaster management and build a network of ASEAN CSOs to mutually support response efforts.
Deputy Director of the AHA Centre Krisna expressed admiration for the MDMC, highlighting its exceptional, comprehensive, and holistic disaster management capabilities,including a dedicated Emergency Medical Team (EMT). Krisna considers MDMC to be one of the leading CSOs in ASEAN with excellent capacity and resources. The AHA Centre is committed to building deeper partnerships with ASEAN CSOs and strengthening networks among ASEAN CSOs.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the MDMC Budi Setiawan enthusiastically welcomed the AHA Centre’s visit and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate. He emphasized that MDMC, with its “One Muhammadiyah, One Response” slogan, shares a similar vision with the AHA Centre’s “One ASEAN, One Response” slogan. He also reminded CSOs in the process of establishing EMTs to comprehensively prepare their human resources, including healthcare professionals, disaster knowledge, and adequate logistical support, to ensure readiness for emergencies.
Krisna also hoped that CSOs establishing EMTs can learn from experienced organizations like MDMC in preparing and implementing disaster responses. Collaboration and sharing experiences among ASEAN CSOs are expected to improve the effectiveness of emergency response and disaster preparedness in the region.
