Manila, Philippines, October 2024 – The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to enhancing disaster resilience across Asia by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership marks a significant milestone, building on over four decades of collaboration to safeguard vulnerable communities from the increasing threat of disasters in the region.

The MoU was signed during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024, underscoring the urgency of addressing complex and frequent disasters that continue to impact the region. The renewed partnership aims to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, with a particular focus on capacity building, community-based disaster risk management, and advancing innovative solutions for early warning systems.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Hans Guttman, Executive Director of ADPC, expressed his gratitude to IFRC for their unwavering support. “Together, we can harness our resources, expertise, and passion to create a more prepared and resilient future. This partnership will empower us to enhance our response capabilities, share best practices, and ultimately save lives,” Guttman emphasized.

The IFRC’s longstanding tradition of volunteerism has played a critical role in disaster preparedness and response efforts, mobilizing thousands of volunteers across Asia to provide lifesaving assistance in times of crisis. The new MoU reinforces this tradition by promoting community resilience and empowering local actors to take the lead in safeguarding their communities.

"This partnership with ADPC is a continuation of our shared mission to support local and national disaster preparedness capacities. By working together, we can ensure that communities are better equipped to face new climate risks," said Juja Kim, IFRC’s Deputy Regional Director for Asia Pacific, at the ceremony.

The collaboration between IFRC and ADPC has a rich history, dating back to the late 1980s. Over the years, the two organizations have worked hand-in-hand to support National Societies and governments across South and Southeast Asia. Their efforts have contributed to the development of technical tools for community-based disaster risk management, multi-hazard early warning systems, and collaborative initiatives to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations.

As part of their continued partnership, IFRC and ADPC will focus on several key areas, including the strengthening of disaster management networks, enhancing research and knowledge-sharing, and supporting the institutional capacities of national disaster management organizations (NDMOs) and Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The MoU also aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, ensuring that the partnership contributes to global goals of reducing disaster risk and building resilience.

The signing of this MoU represents a pivotal step toward a safer and more resilient Asia. As the region continues to face the escalating risks of natural hazards, the collaboration between IFRC and ADPC will serve as a crucial foundation for enhancing preparedness and protecting communities at risk.

For more information, please contact:

Apitsada Wetchakit, Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator
apitsada.wetchakit@adpc.net; +66 2298 0681

Afrhill Rances, IFRC Regional Communications Manager, Asia Pacific:
afrhill.rances@ifrc.org; +60 19 2713641