SEAHUM Committee Prepares for Post-COVID-19 Humanitarian Program Collaboration

16 April 2022, 00:44

BANDUNG —— The Southeast Asia Humanitarian Committee (SEAHUM) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative programs in the humanitarian sector. All SEAHUM members gathered on Saturday (March 12, 2022) at the Hemangini Hotel in Bandung. The meeting was held both online and in person.

Participants came from Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia, with a total of 40 participants from various humanitarian organizations and institutions across Southeast Asia. The theme of this meeting was “Humanitarian Aid in the Post-Pandemic Era: Where Should Humanitarian Aid Go Next?”

“This SEAHUM meeting aims to foster program synergy among humanitarian organizations,” explained Murni Alit Baginda in her opening remarks as SEAHUM’s Vice President of Capacity Building.

Panel discussion in a conference room with speakers at a long head table, banners behind them, and attendees seated around U-shaped tables watching slides on screens at the front.

Man wearing a patterned vest and mask speaks into a handheld microphone at a formal event, with a banner and projector screen in the background.

Yes, this meeting aims to consolidate disaster and humanitarian activist organizations. First, by aligning the visions and missions of each organization that is part of the SEAHUM committee. Second, to foster collaboration on humanitarian programs among these organizations in the post-COVID-19 era.

These topics were discussed during a series of talk shows moderated by Haryo Mojopahit (Chief Executive of DMC Dompet Dhuafa). Also present were panelists Kamarul Zaman (President of the SEAHUM Committee/Chief Executive Officer of MyCare), Andi Noor Faradiba (Senior Manager at ACT’s Global Humanity Network), and Nurmansyah (Manager of Disaster Risk Reduction at Rumah Zakat).

Panel of four people wearing masks at a conference table with microphones and water bottles; banner behind reads 'General Meeting' and a date in Bandung, 2022 flagship humanitarian event.

They discussed the situation of communities in Southeast Asia affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as several programs that could be integrated to address the problems caused by COVID-19. In addition to the humanitarian issues caused by COVID-19, other humanitarian issues were also raised, such as large-scale migration resulting from social conflict in Myanmar, the impact of natural disasters, and others.

“What are we going to do to help our brothers and sisters in Myanmar (and in other regions)?” asked Syamsul Ardiansyah, Senior Officer of Strategic Alliance at Dompet Dhuafa.

Panelists seated at a long table on a stage during a humanitarian conference; a large banner behind reads '4th Annual General Meeting' and 'Where Should Humanitarian Aid Go Next?' with several logos, all wearing masks.

All members of the SEAHUM Committee are committed to providing the best possible service to those in need. This spirit will continue to be upheld and passed down for years to come. (Dompet Dhuafa / DMC)