THE first day session of the 23rd South-East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Leaders Meeting, hosted by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), was held yesterday morning at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Yangon under the theme “Unity in Humanitarian Action: Building a Better Tomorrow”.
Myanmar Red Cross Society President Dr Myo Nyunt delivered a speech at the meeting, and attendees discussed cooperation among Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in South-East Asia, humanitarian activities and future areas of work.
The meeting also discussed progress in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the IFRC and ASEAN, progress in implementing the Kuala Lumpur Statement, the Myanmar Red Cross Society’s experience in search and rescue operations, and the South-East Asia First Aid Network and Network Mapping (First Aid Accreditation Roadmap).
It also exchanged views on building healthy communities across South-East Asia, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), disease prevention, disaster preparedness and response capacity, mutual assistance among National Societies, the safety and Duty of Care of Red Cross and Red Crescent personnel, building climate-resilient communities, and activities carried out under climate and environmental commitments.
The participants also discussed ensuring accountability in the response and recovery efforts following the Mandalay earthquake, financial sustainability of national societies, strengthening domestic revenue generation, and diversifying fundraising sources. — MNA/KTZH