From 8-9 November 2018, the HADR Programme of RSIS’ Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies hosted a conference on “Cyclone Nargis Ten Years On: A Decade of New Humanitarian Partnerships in Southeast Asia” to share experiences of the disaster response, discuss innovations in HADR mechanisms since then, and consider changing humanitarian and disaster environments and needs.

From 8-9 November 2018, the HADR Programme of RSIS’ Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies hosted a conference on “Cyclone Nargis Ten Years On: A Decade of New Humanitarian Partnerships in Southeast Asia” to share experiences of the disaster response, discuss innovations in HADR mechanisms since then, and consider changing humanitarian and disaster environments and needs.

The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, highlighted Myanmar’s progress in disaster preparedness in legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, mitigation measures, capacity building, hazard monitoring and early warning systems.  A subsequent public roundtable on practitioner reflections by Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Mr. Robert H.K. Chua, and Mr. Ye Htut emphasized the importance of (i) adopting people-centred approaches (ii) building trust before attempting to offer assistance, and (iii) forging multi-stakeholder efforts including civil-military relations. The public event was attended by over sixty people.