Dubai Humanitarian and AHA Centre Sign Strategic Letter of Intent to Enhance Disaster Response in Southeast Asia

Dubai Humanitarian and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) have signed a significant Letter of Intent (LoI) to advance disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities across Southeast Asia. The agreement was formalized in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and signals a vital step toward deeper international humanitarian cooperation.

The new framework lays the groundwork for strategic collaboration between the two organizations, focusing on building more resilient, agile, and sustainable systems to manage natural disasters and humanitarian crises affecting ASEAN Member States. This initiative comes at a time when Southeast Asia continues to face escalating challenges from climate-related disasters and complex emergencies.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The Letter of Intent outlines cooperation in two primary areas:

1. Humanitarian Logistics and Crisis Relief Solutions:
The agreement supports joint humanitarian operations, including the potential loan of critical relief items and enhanced collaboration with the AHA Centre’s Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA). Both parties will also explore innovative approaches to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of humanitarian supply chains.

2. Knowledge Sharing and Outreach:
The partnership encourages the exchange of best practices related to sustainability, carbon reduction, and operational efficiency. It also includes the organization of joint training programs, symposiums, and public awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to build local disaster response capabilities while promoting regional visibility and support for a Global Safety Net.

Leadership Perspectives

Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, emphasized the importance of proactive and collaborative responses to the increasing complexity of global disasters.

“What we’re witnessing across the world, especially in regions like Southeast Asia, is a growing frequency and complexity of disasters that demand not just faster responses, but smarter, more collaborative ones,” he stated.

“This partnership with the AHA Centre is rooted in that understanding. It reflects our responsibility as a global humanitarian hub to not only deliver aid, but to co-create solutions that build local capacity, reduce vulnerability, and adapt to evolving risks.”

Mr. Lee Yam Ming, Executive Director of the AHA Centre, welcomed the collaboration, noting that it marks the organization’s first formal partnership with a Middle Eastern humanitarian entity.

“This partnership with Dubai Humanitarian marks an exciting milestone for the AHA Centre,” he said.

“It reflects our shared commitment to building stronger regional and global humanitarian networks. Through this partnership, we aim to fully realise the vision of One ASEAN, One Response with a shared commitment to building a disaster-resilient ASEAN community.”

Looking Ahead

The Letter of Intent sets a forward-looking agenda for humanitarian collaboration, positioning both Dubai Humanitarian and the AHA Centre to lead innovative efforts in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery across the ASEAN region. The partnership is expected to significantly strengthen regional disaster management frameworks through shared knowledge, resources, and coordinated actions.