ASEAN Volunteers: Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness

As part of its commitment to youth development, ASEAN launched its First Youth Development Index (YDI) in 2017. In reference to the First ASEAN YDI, the fourth domain, namely Participation and Engagement requires special attention in terms of policy development and interventions.  Volunteered Time¹ was recorded among the lowest averaging indicators after banding in the YDI. Backed up by the evidence from the report, ASEAN Member States (AMS) seeks to increase ASEAN awareness through volunteering activities among the youth of ASEAN while addressing ongoing community building efforts.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asia, considered as one of the most vulnerable regions in the world, suffered over the past few years from multifold disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, typhoons, the rise of the sea level, volcanic eruptions, droughts, etc. Bearing in mind that the region is prone to natural disasters and to support the efforts in addressing the risks of climate change and natural disasters in vulnerable communities across the region, the project highlights Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness and brings together the youth from ASEAN to collaborate. The theme is highly relevant for Japan and aligned with the Revised Implementation Plan of the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Shared Vision, Shared Identity, Shared Future specifically under the following measures 3) Partners for Quality of Life; and 4) Heart-to-Heart Partners. This project will also involve Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) as the Co-Implementing Agency together with the ASEC. The extensive experience of JICE in managing volunteers programme in Japan and other parts of the world would surely benefit the participants of this project even more.