First aid services provided by national societies play a vital role in saving lives, alleviating suffering and building resilient communities.
Recognising the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration, the 1st Southeast Asia First Aid Network (SEAFAN) has been envisioned as a platform for pooling collective expertise and experiences, which was formed as a decision from the 19th Southeast Asia Leaders meeting, hosted by Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BRC) last year.
The network has been established to strengthen and support knowledge on first aid programming within Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (RCRC) in the ASEAN region to achieve the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) First Aid Vision 2030.
The decision included a commitment by all leaders to invest in the development of Southeast Asia National Societies capacity and resources in first aid through peer-to-peer learning and support as well as scaling up capacity in community first aid and development of commercial first aid.
The vision aims to enhance the capacity and reach of first aid services, making them more accessible and effective.
It was also agreed on BRC as the first chair of the network, hence SEAFAN is being hosted by BRC at Wafa Hotel and Apartment in Beribi, Gadong from October 24-26 chaired by BRC Deputy President Sheikh Kadir Abdullah.
SEAFAN’s aims to establish a collaborative platform for first aid practitioners and programme managers from across the region to explore innovative approaches, share best practices and strengthen first aid initiatives.
This first event brings together RCRC representatives from ASEAN, IFRC and International Committee of the Red Cross to discuss collectively to achieve the First Aid Vision 2030. The meeting will discuss and endorse the SEAFAN establishment and define specific outputs to shape SEAFAN future.
Among its objectives are to gain insights from National Societies successful first aid programme and showcase their achievements and expertise in first aid initiatives exchange ideas on digital transformation for first aid programmes through forum.
The meeting also aims to cultivate new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations within the region to contribute to RCRC First Aid Vision 2030, integrate Mental Health and Psychosocial First Aid (MHPSS) into first aid programme and ensure quality assurance and consistency across the region. – Lyna Mohamad
