Kuala Lumpur, 9 June 2025 — MERCY Malaysia today reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional humanitarian coordination with the renewal of its Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). The MoI was officially signed on 15 November 2024 and will remain in effect for a period of three (3) years.
This renewed agreement solidifies MERCY Malaysia’s role as a strategic humanitarian partner to the AHA Centre, supporting the Centre’s mandate to facilitate regional cooperation and coordination in Disaster Management among ASEAN Member States. MERCY Malaysia brings to this partnership the strength of civil society and non-governmental expertise to complement intergovernmental disaster response mechanisms.
In light of the recent Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, which envisions ASEAN as a global leader in disaster management under Strategic Goal 6 of becoming an inclusive, participatory, and collaborative community, this renewed partnership reflects MERCY Malaysia’s commitment to advancing people-centred resilience and humanitarian leadership across the region.
“MERCY Malaysia is proud to continue our collaboration with the AHA Centre as a strategic partner in humanitarian action. As Malaysia chairs ASEAN in 2025, we see this renewed MoI as a manifestation of our commitment to supporting ASEAN’s collective disaster response capacity. The role of civil society is crucial in bridging communities and institutions, and we will continue to uphold our duty to serve those most in need,” said Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia.
The longstanding partnership between MERCY Malaysia and the AHA Centre was first established through collaboration in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS)—a shared area of concern that continues to grow in importance in humanitarian responses. The integration of MHPSS into ASEAN’s operational response is a reflection of both parties’ commitment to holistic disaster recovery and resilience.
In line with this shared priority, the AHA Centre and MERCY Malaysia will co-organise the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) Refresher Course on MHPSS, scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Bali, Indonesia. The course aims to build and strengthen the capacity of ERAT members in delivering MHPSS during emergencies—ensuring that psychosocial well-being is a core component of ASEAN’s disaster response.
The AHA Centre is excited to continue the partnership with MERCY Malaysia, whose longstanding collaboration with the AHA Centre, including during emergency operations in the region, through the capacity building provided for the humanitarian personnel. “The renewal of our Memorandum of Intent with MERCY Malaysia reaffirms the critical role of collaboration between the AHA Centre as a regional organisation and civil society in enhancing disaster management across ASEAN. MERCY Malaysia’s expertise, especially in areas like Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, strengthens our regional response capacities and exemplifies the inclusive and people-centred approach envisioned in ASEAN 2045,” said the Executive Director of the AHA Centre Mr. Lee Yam Ming.
MERCY Malaysia remains committed to supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) through technical assistance, training, and field-based interventions. This renewed MoI provides a robust framework to deepen collaboration and scale impact across all ASEAN Member States.
As humanitarian challenges grow more complex, MERCY Malaysia stands ready to work hand-in-hand with the AHA Centre and other partners to foster a more resilient, prepared, and compassionate ASEAN community.
For the latest updates and further information, please follow MERCY Malaysia social media channels at @mercymalaysia and the AHA Centre social media at @ahacentre or reach out to us directly at [email protected] and [email protected].
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