KUALA LUMPUR, 22 September 2025 – Amid a surge in humanitarian crises, including a dramatic rise in disasters and conflicts, leaders from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are convening in Kuala Lumpur to strengthen regional preparedness. The inaugural Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Humanitarian Forum brings together over 150 delegates to address the escalating humanitarian challenges facing the region.
The meeting comes as the Asia Pacific region faces the highest toll of global disasters, accounting for more than half of the 45.8 million people displaced by 559 disasters in 2024. At the same time, over 130 armed conflicts are ongoing globally, nearly double the number recorded 15 years ago. This is compounded by a nearly 70% increase in the number of people reported missing by the Movement, from 169,500 in 2019 to 284,000 in 2024.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, comprising the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 191 National Societies, is the world’s largest humanitarian network. With millions of staff and volunteers, it works before, during, and after crises to deliver life-saving support while upholding the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Her Highness Dato’ Seri DiRaja Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, Tunku Temenggong Kedah and National Chairperson of the MRC, emphasised Malaysia’s leadership role,“As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship, this Forum is a timely opportunity to strengthen regional solidarity in the face of global crises. The Malaysian Red Crescent is proud to convene these important discussions and remains committed to working with governments, partners and communities to build resilience so that Southeast Asia can better withstand the shocks of disasters and conflicts.”
Addressing the need to prepare for conflict, Régis Savioz, ICRC Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, stated,“True preparedness for armed conflict begins in peacetime, with States integrating international humanitarian law (IHL) into their laws, policies and military training to build a culture of compliance. If States invest in defence, they must also budget for IHL. The ICRC is committed to supporting this readiness, working closely with National Societies.”
From the IFRC perspective, Alexander Matheou, Regional Director for Asia Pacific, stressed the heavy toll of disasters on the region and the need to scale up readiness,“In Southeast Asia alone, disasters cause over US$86 billion in losses each year, underscoring the urgent need to prepare before crises occur. The IFRC and our National Societies are scaling up preparedness to ensure faster, more effective responses. Our goal is clear: protect lives and livelihoods before disaster strikes. Every dollar invested in preparedness saves many times more in response costs.”
The Forum, held at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, was opened by Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. In addition to senior leadership from National Societies across Southeast Asia, the event was attended by government officials, representatives from ASEAN, ASEAN Member States and other diplomatic missions, UN agencies and local NGOs.
Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation and coordination, improving disaster preparedness and response, advancing compliance with international humanitarian law, and leveraging disaster law and multilateral partnerships to build more resilient humanitarian systems across Southeast Asia.
The Forum called on all humanitarian partners to act with unity and urgency in confronting the mounting risks of disasters and conflicts. By deepening collaboration and scaling up preparedness, Southeast Asia can deliver faster, more principled, and more effective responses when crises strike.