ASEAN Fund Mobilised For Myanmar Earthquake Relief, Long-term Support Under Discussion

By Siti Baaqiah Mamat

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Disaster Management and Emergency Relief Fund has been utilised in the wake of the recent earthquake in Myanmar, with the regional bloc now looking towards longer-term recovery efforts, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

Reflecting the ASEAN spirit, he said the first phase of funds was channelled swiftly through various ASEAN mechanisms, including the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), and focused on providing emergency relief to affected communities.

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“This reflects the collective commitment among ASEAN member states to respond to humanitarian crises in the region,” he told Bernama in an interview on Wednesday.

Kao is leading the ASEAN Secretariat delegation at the 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) and related meetings, which ended today.

He said the earthquake, which severely impacted parts of Myanmar and caused tremors felt in neighbouring Thailand and Laos, had led to significant devastation, with more than 3,000 lives lost, as well as thousands of injuries and missing persons and damaged infrastructure.

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Kao said that when the grouping celebrated 20 years of ‘One ASEAN, One Response’ last year, the member states agreed to open the fund to public contributions, expand the support base and make it easier to mobilise resources more efficiently in times of urgent need.

However, he pointed out that it is crucial for ASEAN to look at long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation in Myanmar.

Kao said the bloc’s foreign ministers recently met under the auspices of the Preparedness Centre for the ASEAN Community (PCAC), chaired by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and recognised the need to plan for Myanmar’s medium- and long-term recovery.

Apart from that, he said discussions are ongoing for potential pledges to ensure the fund remains sustainable and adequately resourced.

“We’re working closely with the chair to explore a pledging platform. Myanmar has formally requested the activation of the AHA Centre, and we are coordinating efforts with all member states to mobilise further support,” he said.

Kao reiterated that the current focus remains on immediate humanitarian relief but noted that more substantial contributions would be required as the region shifts to post-disaster recovery.

-- BERNAMA