Increase Disaster Management Capacity, SEAHUM make SPHERE Training in Thailand

A total of 41 participants from 15 humanitarian organizations in Southeast Asia participated in a joint training held by the Southeast Asia Humanitarian Committee (SEAHUM). The training which took place in Pattani, Thailand, from Tuesday (17/12/2019) to Thursday (19/12/2019) thoroughly explored the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Humanitarian Aid (SPHERE) which are commonly used throughout the world.

This training was led by Syahri Ramadhan from the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) based in the United States.

“The Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards of Humanitarian were established so that every humanitarian institution has the same standards in providing assistance and also maintains the dignity of disaster survivors,” he said. Syahri conveyed the history and basis for the formation of this Charter and Minimum Standards.

The participants also shared a lot of their experiences in dealing with disasters in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. “In Malaysia, a disaster can become a national disaster if it affects three countries (states). At that time, international NGOs were allowed to enter Malaysia,” said Johan Arif, who represents MAPIM Malaysia.

“We are happy that the participants can share their experiences in disaster management. SEAHUM members usually jump in to respond to disasters wherever they are,” said Amin Sudarsono from the SEAHUM secretariat as the organizer of the event.