In Southeast Asia, one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, regional collaboration is essential for timely and effective humanitarian response. To bolster this network, staff and volunteers from various Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies recently gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the Train. Assess. Facilitate. (TAF) programme.

Participants exchange perspectives and experiences from their respective National Societies during the programme.

Co-organised by the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the initiative focused on expanding the region’s pool of skilled facilitators. By equipping participants to lead and support training within their own National Societies, the programme builds long-term capacity for humanitarian response across Southeast Asia.

Over several days, attendees engaged in facilitation exercises, peer feedback, and group discussions - which encouraged participants to adapt learning strategies to diverse operational and cultural contexts while exchanging perspectives from their respective home countries

“This training opened a new page for me as a facilitator,” shared Te from the Cambodia Red Cross. “It helped me think more deeply about how to create safe learning spaces and involve participants more actively in the learning process.”

Krishna from the Indonesian Red Cross reflected,

“Training is not about presentation, but about impact. Good facilitation helps participants truly understand and apply what they learn. Learning together with other National Societies was also valuable, as many of the challenges we face are similar.”

Participants exchange perspectives and experiences from their respective National Societies during the programme.

SRC supported the participation of several National Society representatives in the programme through the Better Together Solidarity Fund, which promotes regional collaboration and capacity building. This support is a key part of SRC’s ongoing commitment to working with the IFRC and regional partners to strengthen preparedness and humanitarian aid across Southeast Asia and beyond.