AHA Centre and Dubai Humanitarian Partner to Boost ASEAN Disaster Response
Siem Reap, The Gulf Observer: In a landmark move to strengthen regional disaster preparedness and response, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) and Dubai Humanitarian today signed a Letter of Intent in Siem Reap, Cambodia, laying the foundation for strategic cooperation across Southeast Asia.
The agreement marks the beginning of a collaborative effort aimed at bolstering humanitarian operations in one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions. With climate change and complex emergencies placing increased pressure on relief systems, both organizations pledged to co-develop innovative, resilient, and sustainable solutions for disaster response.
The Letter of Intent outlines cooperation across two primary pillars:
1. Humanitarian Logistics and Crisis Relief Solutions
The partnership will support coordinated emergency response efforts, including the potential loan of critical relief items and strengthening of the AHA Centre’s Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA). Joint innovation initiatives in humanitarian supply chains will also be pursued to improve the speed, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of operations.
2. Knowledge Sharing and Outreach
The agreement enables both parties to co-host training programmes and regional symposiums to enhance local response capabilities and promote cross-sector knowledge exchange. It also includes public awareness initiatives and joint participation in regional humanitarian events to build support for a global safety net.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, emphasised the growing need for smarter, more collaborative approaches to disaster relief.
“This partnership with the AHA Centre is rooted in the understanding that today’s disasters demand not only faster responses, but more innovative and inclusive ones. We are proud to stand with the AHA Centre to co-create solutions that strengthen local capacity, reduce vulnerability, and adapt to evolving risks,” said Saba.
Lee Yam Ming, Executive Director of the AHA Centre, hailed the partnership as a significant milestone.
“This is our first formal collaboration with a Middle Eastern organisation in the field of disaster management. It represents our shared commitment to building a stronger humanitarian network to realise the vision of One ASEAN, One Response. Through this partnership, we are reinforcing ASEAN’s collective resilience and readiness to face future challenges,” he stated.
This new partnership highlights a growing trend in cross-regional collaboration, bringing together Southeast Asia and the Middle East in a joint mission to build more robust and agile humanitarian response mechanisms.
