Question: Can Minister share with us your comments on the launch of ASEAN CARE today, and more specifically, what is the significance of this launch in terms of collaboration with the Singapore Government in providing humanitarian aid?
Minister Shanmugam: We in Southeast Asia have faced many natural disasters, and climate change is going to make the situation even worse.
This will affect people’s lives - communities, infrastructure, economy will all be affected.
Not so much in Singapore so far, but around this region in Southeast Asia.
And there is a strong need for us to strengthen ASEAN’s response to natural disasters.
Over the past 20 years – two decades or so – ASEAN member states have made significant progress in improving disaster resilience in the region.
But Governments alone cannot do this. This requires a whole of society to come together and make an effort.
I’m glad that Humanity Matters has taken the lead to set up this ASEAN CARE initiative.
It brings together non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civic and community groups, as well as faith and youth communities.
I think ASEAN CARE is going to help strengthen our capacity and coordination towards a collective resilience against disasters.
Question: You’ve talked about how it affects the regional situation. Can Minister share more about the values ASEAN CARE could embody in Singapore’s society?
Minister Shanmugam: In Singapore, we have been fortunate so far not to have been directly hit by natural disasters.
But we face serious challenges like climate change and rising sea levels.
ASEAN CARE is a ground-up initiative.
It is a good example of how people can come together to make a real difference.
Singaporeans – I think it’s good – have a natural desire to help others, and they want to be more caring and compassionate.
The number of participants today is testament to that.
They come from various groups - faith, ethnic, civic, corporate, and philanthropic groups.
They come together, they want to do something for the region, and it is really heartening to see.
