1ST SOUTHEAST ASIA
FIRST AID NETWORK MEETING
24TH – 26TH OCTOBER 2023
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BACKGROUND
The Southeast Asian region is no stranger to a myriad of challenges, from natural disasters to public health emergencies and humanitarian crises. In the face of such adversities, the First Aid services provided by our National Societies play a vital role in saving lives, alleviating suffering, and building resilient communities. Recognizing the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration, this First Aid Network Meeting has been envisioned as a platform for pooling our collective expertise and experiences.
The First Aid Network brings together Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) representatives from South-East Asia (SEA), IFRC and ICRC to discuss collectively supporting to achieve the First Aid Vision 2030.
This network was formed as a decision from the 19th Southeast Asia Leaders meeting, hosted by Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society in Bandar Seri Begawan in 2022, which also agreed on Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society as the first chair of the network. The decision included a commitment by all leaders to invest in development of Southeast Asia National Societies capacity and resources in First Aid through peer-to-peer learning and support as well as scaling up Southeast Asia National Societies capacity in community first aid and continuing to invest in the development of commercial first aid, including utilizing digital platforms.
BACKGROUND
Furthermore, the network has established to strengthen and support knowledge on first aid programming within Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Southeast Asian region to achieve the IFRC First Aid Vision 2030. This vision aims to enhance the capacity and reach of first aid services, making them more accessible and effective in saving lives and reducing injuries in different context of populations. Furthermore, varying approaches to training, certification, and emergency response protocols can result in inconsistent care and hinder the coordination of emergency medical services during cross-border incidents or regional disasters. In addition to these challenges, there is a need to address the gaps in first aid capacity in underserved areas or vulnerable communities, where access to healthcare services and emergency medical response is limited. These areas often lack the necessary infrastructure, resources, and trained personnel to provide timely and appropriate first aid.
OBJECTIVES
The primary aims of this meeting are to establish a collaborative platform for First Aid practitioners and program manager from across Southeast Asia. The meeting will explore innovative approaches, share best practices, and strengthen our First Aid initiatives to build resilient and healthier communities. Moreover, the meeting will discuss and endorse the establishment of Southeast Asia First Aid Network.
During the meeting, we will define specific outputs to shape the future of our First Aid Network in Southeast Asia:
OBJECTIVES
The network will focus on strengthening and supporting knowledge on first aid programming within Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Southeast Asian region to align and achieve the IFRC First Aid Vision 2030. This vision aims to enhance the capacity and reach of first aid services, making them more accessible and effective in saving lives and reducing injuries in different context of populations. The following activities will be undertaken by the network to accomplish this objective:
1) Knowledge sharing and best practices.
The network will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Southeast Asia. This will involve organizing collaborative workshops, conferences, within the region as needed where participants can share their expertise, successful initiatives, and lessons learned.
2) Capacity building and training.
The network will prioritize collaboration on capacity building within the region by sharing training programs, resources, and support to Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This will include developing standardized first aid training curricula, conducting train-the-trainer programs, and promoting the use of innovative teaching methods and technologies.
OBJECTIVES
3) Advocacy and policy development.
The network will work towards advocating for the recognition and integration of first aid programming at national, regional, and international levels. It will collaborate with stakeholders, government agencies, and other relevant organizations to develop policies and guidelines that promote the importance of first aid and its inclusion in public health and emergency response frameworks.
4) Research and innovation.
The network will encourage digitalization development initiatives to generate evidence-based practices and innovations in first aid. It will support studies on the effectiveness of different first aid interventions, explore emerging technologies and techniques, and promote the adoption of innovative approaches to improve first aid outcomes. The network will revitalize the first aid mobile application to promote innovation in digitalizing first aid programs, embracing cutting-edge sharing modalities and technologies.
5) Monitoring and evaluation
The network will establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of first aid programs within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Southeast Asia. This will involve setting up data collection systems, conducting assessments, and sharing evaluation findings to identify areas for improvement and measure the network's contribution to the IFRC First Aid Vision 2030.
ORGANIZATION OF SEA FIRST AID NETWORK
The network welcomes all National Societies (NSs) in Southeast Asia to join and encourages them participate to facilitate the sharing of best practices and promote collaboration among NSs, each member NS should nominate a focal point responsible for their organization's first aid program. The focal point/representative should be empowered and enabled by their NS to serve as the primary source of information between the NS and the network. It is desirable for the NS representative to remain committed to cooperating with the network for at least one year.
The network is committed to fostering extensive engagement with existing coordination and collaboration platforms related to first aid programs, including the Global First Aid Reference Centre (GFARC) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) network in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation, IFRC Country Offices in Southeast Asia, and the IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office. By actively involving these valuable partners, we can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the network's initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
These roles and responsibilities aim to ensure active participation, collaboration, and effective implementation of the Southeast Asia First Aid network's objectives and activities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
DECISION MAKING
All members from the National Societies are encouraged to actively participate in the decision-making process of the network, ensuring that all decisions regarding priorities and plans are made through consensus. Any forthcoming revisions to the concept network will undergo the same empowering process of consensus with all NSs representative.
In the spirit of maintaining a strong and active network, if a representative is unable to fulfill the obligations or accomplish key tasks related to the network, the National Society (NS) is encouraged to consider assigning another person who can effectively represent the NS and sustain the network’s strength. This ensures continuity and active participation, allowing the network to thrive and achieve its goals collectively.
FINANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
The SEA First Aid Network is committed to fostering sustainable collaboration among National Societies. Resource mobilization plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term sustainability and funding of projects and activities. We encourage active efforts towards resource mobilization to support the network's objectives and secure the necessary resources for successful implementation. This can include exploring diverse funding opportunities, engaging with potential donors, PNSs and leveraging partnerships to ensure the continued growth and effectiveness of the network's initiatives.
Embracing the cost efficiency, the network enthusiastically encourages online and hybrid platforms for all first aid program training, workshop, and meetings.
. TARGET PARTICIPANTS
The meeting will be attended by representatives from the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across Southeast Asia. These representatives may include First Aid practitioners, program manager and other key stakeholders involved in First Aid initiatives.
. DETAIL OF THE EVENT
Date : 24th -26th October 2023
Place : Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
Venue : Wafa Hotel & Apartment.
. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent will cover the local transportation, accommodation, and meals. Do note that the accommodation will be twin sharing with another participant. Further, National Society participants should cover their own flight, travel insurance and per diem.
THANK YOU