By Caritas Malaysia
GEORGETOWN, PENANG – As part of its continuous mission to serve the vulnerable, Caritas Malaysia is now focusing on enhancing its capacity to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies. Recognising the increasing frequency and impact of natural disasters such as floods, Caritas Malaysia is taking proactive steps to improve its disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
Supported by Caritas Asia and with the assistance of its fraternal Caritas member organisation, Caritas Philippines and Caritas Nepal through the regional humanitarian capacity building programme called Strengthening Humanitarian Action, Partnership and Exchange (SHAPE), Caritas Malaysia organised a four-day training on Caritas Internationalis (CI) Toolkit and Disaster Response from 22–25 Sep 2024. The training gathered 17 participants from eight arch/dioceses. This initiative aimed to strengthen the organisational capacity of Caritas Malaysia by offering crucial support, training, and expertise in humanitarian aid and disaster response, particularly floods, which continue to affect communities across Malaysia.
The training was facilitated by two experienced trainers:
Arpana Karki has been with Caritas Nepal since 2006 and currently serves as the Manager of the Disaster Management Department. With extensive experience in emergency response, she has been instrumental in delivering aid and relief to communities in crisis. Arpana is also the Coordinator for the Caritas Internationalis Management Standards (CIMS).
Cecilio Ava Guardian has years of experience in community development and humanitarian aid. As a member of the Humanitarian Team from Caritas Philippines, Ava is involved in the Community of Practice (COP) and the Regional Emergency Support Mechanism (RESUM) under Caritas Asia, contributing to disaster response efforts across the region.
Formation of the Disaster Response Committee
A major outcome of the training was the groundwork laid for the formation of the Disaster Response Committee in both the diocese and national levels. This committee will play a pivotal role in coordinating and streamlining disaster response efforts across the country. The committee’s mandate will include improving preparedness, enhancing strategic planning, and ensuring a swift and coordinated response during emergencies.
The discussions during the training allowed participants to begin shaping the structure and operational framework of the committee. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, participants were able to identify key priorities and action points that will guide the committee in addressing recurring disasters like floods.
Comprehensive Capacity-Building Programme
The training was designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of key concepts in disaster management and humanitarian aid which covered a range of topics essential to emergency response.
Key areas of focus included:
1. Humanitarian Principles – Participants were introduced to the core principles of humanitarian aid, emphasising the ethical standards that guide humanitarian and relief efforts.
2. Rapid Needs Assessments – The training provided practical techniques for assessing the needs of disaster-affected communities quickly and accurately.
3. Emergency Operations Centres and Camp Management – Best practices for managing emergency coordination centres and camps were shared, along with strategies for handling displaced populations.
4. Volunteer Management and Safeguarding – Effective recruitment, training, and management of volunteers were discussed, with a focus on ensuring the safety and dignity of both volunteers and beneficiaries.
5. Safe and Dignified Programming – Participants learnt how to design and implement humanitarian programmes that respect the dignity of individuals and ensure their safety in crisis situations.
The training combined a mix of PowerPoint presentations, group work and case studies. This allowed participants to engage in hands-on exercises, apply the concepts in realistic scenarios, and discuss lessons learnt from their own experiences.
Achievements and Outcomes
By the end of the training, participants were equipped with a robust set of tools and resources to enhance Caritas Malaysia’s disaster response. Some of the key outcomes included:
1. Establishment of the Disaster Response Committee Structure – The training provided clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the new committee, which will lead Caritas Malaysia’s disaster response efforts across dioceses.
2. Development of an Action Plan and Framework – An initial action plan was drafted for the growth of the Disaster Response Committee, with a focus and plan to formulate mechanisms and systems on emergency preparedness framework and volunteer management.
3. Application of CI Toolkit and Humanitarian Standards – Participants gained practical knowledge of the CI Toolkit and humanitarian standards.
4. Increased Collaboration Among Dioceses – The training fostered stronger ties between diocesan representatives, creating a network for sharing expertise and best practices in disaster management.
5. Safeguarding – Caritas Internationalis integrated safeguarding as the fifth standard in its CI Management Standard (CIMS). This policy, applicable to all Caritas Malaysia staff, members and volunteers, ensures integrity and safeguarding across all levels, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to dignity and safety, especially in humanitarian and disaster response efforts.
The Road Ahead
In his closing address, Fr Fabian Dicom, the National Director of Caritas Malaysia highlighted that training is just the beginning of a larger initiative to strengthen Caritas Malaysia’s capacity for disaster response. As Malaysia continues to face the challenges posed by natural disasters, it is hopeful that Caritas Malaysia is now better positioned to respond with increased preparedness, coordination, and compassion.
Through a series of follow-up including additional online meetings, mentoring, and support from Caritas network, the committee will ensure that each diocese is equipped and prepared to respond to emergencies effectively. This initiative underscores Caritas Malaysia’s commitment to building a resilient network capable of providing timely humanitarian aid to those most in need.
Moving forward, the newly formed Disaster Response Committee will continue to refine its strategic goals and operational plans, with guidance and mentorship from Caritas Asia, Caritas Philippines, Caritas Nepal and other Caritas members in the region. – Today’s Catholic
