Cambodia calls for deeper Asean unity to tackle natural disasters
At the 46th Asean Disaster Management Committee Meeting that kicked off in Cambodia on Tuesday (May 20), the host called for greater collaboration among the grouping's member states as the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger and more resilient region.
"The continued engagement and support of the Asean member (states) is important when all members work together to promote local cooperation on disaster management,' Cambodian Senior Minister Kun Kim (pic), first vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, said at the opening ceremony, held in the touristic province of Siem Reap.
South-East Asia is prone to natural disasters, from typhoons, droughts, earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions to flooding during the rainy season, due to its geographical location.
According to the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC), the Philippines, located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, for instance, encounters an average of 20 typhoons annually and five of those are considered destructive.
In mainland South-East Asia, countries like Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam continue to face troubling natural calamities.
Myanmar is still recovering from the devastating March 28 earthquake that killed more than 3,700 people.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Myanmar warned that over half a million people in earthquake-hit locations urgently need assistance.
"Seven weeks on, the impacts of the March 28 earthquakes in central Myanmar continue to drive significant humanitarian needs, both for immediate relief and early recovery.
"Many families remain displaced in temporary shelters or rental housing due to safety concerns, including fear of returning to structurally compromised homes, with limited sustainable long-term shelter solutions in sight,' OCHA Myanmar said in its May 17 "Myanmar: Earthquake Response' report.
The ADRC reported that heavy rainfall in north-western Vietnam on May 16 triggered a landslide at the construction site of a hydropower plant that killed five and injured four others. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Tuesday (July 15)
Malaysia Freedom of Information Bill expected to be tabled by year-end, says Anwar Teen hands over mother's jewellery worth RM140,000 to scammers Cabinet yet to receive official memo on US ambassador pick, says Fahmi Maori community can be a model for Orang Asli tourism, socio-economic development, says Zahid Fighting corruption boosts economic growth, ensures national harmony, says Anwar Integrated Asean supply chain key to tackling US trade policies, says Liew Govt to review Judicial Appointments Commission Act, says Azalina KL ranks 12th globally in QS Best Student Cities 2026 Border control agency tightening security at transit zones to prevent illegal entry Anwar expected to announce judicial appointments July 16 Malaysia to host Smart City Expo KL 2025 in September Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong honours Sabah, reaffirms commitment to Asean Malaysia's economic model must be readjusted to withstand external pressures, says HR minister MACC nabs two Bangladeshis linked to 'counter setting' syndicate Rock legends Deep Purple are back in Kuala Lumpur after 15 years for a super concert at Mega Star Arena on Nov 23 University stabbing suspect remanded for four days Two Chinese nationals killed in crash on NSE near Tapah MAHB enhances KLIA T1 with RM30mil upgrades to improve passenger experience In the heart of Sabah, Danum Valley is a living jungle like no other No evidence of AI chip smuggling found, says Zafrul Japanese multinational to invest RM500mil in mall expansion in Seremban 2 Tourists can plan their journey around KL with this handy guidebook Loke: PM to announce new Chief Justice after obtaining Malay Rulers' consent Mara to sponsor 100 students bound for NZ varsities S'wak exploring strategic tie-ups in utilities, space industry in China Bali ferry tragedy: Wisma Putra confirms M'sian's death, says all consular processes concluded 'Superman' Syed Saddiq attends birthday party of Bella Astillah's children Singapore Singapore intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore public healthcare institutions to record all Kpod cases, confiscate vapes Singapore researchers get S$25mil grant to screen, treat lung cancer in Asian patients Actor-artist Chen Xi marries Japanese girlfriend in Singapore Singaporean actress Sheila Sim takes hair-cutting course after giving daughter 'awful' haircut S$10mil Toto results to be announced on July 17; no winners in past three draws Thailand Supreme Court hears fourth session on Thaksin's hospitalisation during sentence Thailand delays tourist entry fee till 2026 Golf, the femme fatale embroiled in sex scandal with monks, faces arrest over embezzlement of temple funds Suspended Thai PM asks court for more time to respond to ethics case Thailand unexpectedly delays naming new central bank chief Thai police submit sedition case against Hun Sen to prosecutors Thailand's changing cannabis rules leave farmers in a tough spot French President Emmanuel Macron, right welcoming Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto at the Elysee Palace in Paris n July 14. - AP Photo Indonesia Indonesia rescues 11 who swam for hours to survive boat capsize Search extended for 17 missing victims in Bali Strait ferry tragedy Indonesian diva and pop princess Bunga Citra Lestari to jive stage with Jaclyn Victor and violinist Dennis Lau for 'love concert' in KL Indonesia trains migrants workers as cultural ambassadors abroad Philippines Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes Luzon, Philippines Cops raid online lending company in Pasig City, nab 168 employees Reforms could help transform Philippines into middle-class society by 2040: World Bank Search for missing Philippine cockfighting enthusiasts in Taal Lake to take six months: Remula Vietnam Vietnam's capital to help residents switch to electric vehicles SpaceX expected to launch Starlink services in Vietnam from fourth quarter German customs officials find 1,500 tarantulas hidden in biscuit packaging from Vietnam Vietnam's former top health official prosecuted in dual bribery scandals Cambodia Archaeologists restoring ninth brick tower of Bakong temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor park Defence minister demands public apology for assault on Cambodian soldier at Ta Mone Thom Cambodian ministries going digital with e-invoice platform Myanmar Four consecutive earthquakes strike within hours in Myanmar Myanmar welcomes over 500,000 foreign tourists in H1 2025 Laos Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar to release 100 million fingerlings into rivers Laos moves toward integrating digital ID systems Brunei Brunei Sultan announces landmark reforms and digital transformation on 79th birthday Brunei's lion dance troupe to 'roar' at world championships China is experiencing a relentless heatwave, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40 deg C in parts of the country as residents prepare for the summer season to reach its peak on July 20. - AFP Aseanplus Australia sidesteps US tensions to seek closer China trade ties Hong Kong opens probe into AI-generated porn scandal at university China's Xi vows greater support for Russia as he meets Lavrov Pilot groups reject claims of human error in Air India crash Japan man sells Ferrari to fund shelter for 'taxing' dogs, repay pet that saved his life Heatwave sweeping across China could be unprecedented Parent of top student, teacher break into South Korean school to steal exam papers Typhoon Nari makes landfall over Japan's Hokkaido Teacher, teen arrested at Hong Kong airport in 'Ice', ketamine drug cases China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says Elegant Fine Caviar: Malaysian-owned caviar from a sturgeon farm in China World's oldest marathon runner dies aged 114 in road accident Fringe party vows to put 'Japan First' to chip away at LDP rule China's Q2 GDP growth tops forecast even as US tariff risks mount Squid Game's tragic couple speak out on their harrowing on-screen relationship Tech takes centre stage as Chinese students weigh up major choices Fringe party vows to put 'Japan First' to chip away at LDP rule Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary head for splashdown with NASA veteran Japan's ruling coalition seen losing upper house majority, polls show Australia looks to scrap surcharges on most card payments Nvidia's CEO says it has US approval to sell its H20 AI computer chips in China Lego doubling down on China market Japan launches government body to address concerns over foreigners Bangladesh struggles to contain the fallout of an uprising that toppled its leader last year 'Butter': the foodie feminist bestseller skewering sexism in Japan Japan ruling party support plunges ahead of national election in NHK poll HK actor Ray Lui's wife flaunts RM216k handbag while vacationing with husband in Europe Asian markets mixed as China's economy meets forecasts
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Defence minister demands public apology for assault on Cambodian soldier at Ta Mone Thom
A former Thai soldier assaulted a Cambodian in uniform at Ta Mone Thom Temple on July 13. Defence minister Tea Seiha (left) has called for a public apology. - Supplied PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's National Defence Minister has demanded that a former Thai patrol soldier, along with Thai authorities, issue a public apology for the unprovoked assault on a Cambodian soldier that took place at Ta Mone Thom temple on July 13. This demand was made in spite of the fact that the suspect has already been arrested by Thai authorities and is facing legal consequences. Speaking today, July 15, at an event to welcome Cambodian peacekeepers returning from the Central Africa Republic, defence minister Tea Seiha explained that on July 13, the former Thai soldier initially approached to shake hands but then suddenly attacked the Cambodian. 'If there was just an apology, I would be satisfied. There could be an apology; I believe there has been an informal apology. However, it hasn't been publicly announced that he apologized to Cambodia,' Seiha said. He further noted that the suspect, identified as 'Sommai', claimed he attacked the Cambodian soldier out of anger after seeing Cambodian civilians at Ta Mone Thom. He alleged that Cambodian soldiers prevented Thai civilians from accessing the temple. According to Seiha, Sommai face legal action in Thailand, as Thai authorities claim Ta Mone Thom belongs to them and plan to prosecute him in a Thai court. However, the minister argued that the suspect should be tried in Cambodia since the incident occurred on Cambodian soil. For now, Cambodia is monitoring the situation. 'What frustrates me even more is that some Thai lawyers have volunteered to defend him. Defending someone when the crime is clear is pointless. Where is the respect for the law in Thailand?' he asked. He noted that the lawyers publicly volunteered their services on social media, seemingly to gain popularity. The arrest was widely reported in Thai media but no updates on the nature of the charges he will face have been made available. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia to lead ASEAN power grid implementation from 2025
KUCHING: Malaysia is poised to take a leading role in the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof confirming that implementation could begin as early as next year. The country's advanced infrastructure and existing cross-border electricity connections position it as a key player in the regional energy integration project. Fadillah, who also serves as Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, highlighted Malaysia's progress during the International Energy Week 2025. He noted that key decisions on the APG roadmap will be finalised at the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in Kuala Lumpur this October. 'The roadmap has been presented and received agreement in principle. If all goes well, implementation will begin as early as next year, subject to endorsement by ASEAN leaders,' he said. Malaysia already has operational interconnections with Thailand, Laos, and Singapore in Peninsular Malaysia, while Sarawak is linked to West Kalimantan. Plans are underway to extend the grid to Sabah and eventually connect with the southern Philippines, creating a loop in Borneo. Fadillah emphasised the need for regulatory alignment among ASEAN member states to ensure seamless integration. The APG, launched in 1997, aims to fully interconnect the region's power infrastructure by 2045. – Bernama
