On 21 September 2022, Mr. Kimura Keitaro, Director, and Mr. Hosaka Masahiro, Deputy Director of Statistics Planning Division, Statistics Department from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan visited AFSIS Secretariat office.
On the occasion, AFSIS Secretariat led by Dr. Waraporn Saelee, AFSIS Manager, Ms. Sumanya Ngandee, Deputy AFSIS Manager, and Mr. Niimi Tomohiro, AFSIS Japanese Expert had an opportunity to introduce Mr. Kimura Keitaro and Mr. Hosaka Masahiro to Mr. Vinit Atisook, Deputy Secretary General, Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Thailand during their visit. Furthermore, they also had an opportunity to visit Mr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, General Manager of APTERR Secretariat as well.
The highlight of conversation during the visit were mainly on the appreciation of Japanese government towards AFSIS Secretariat for the recent success of the Regional Workshop on SAS-PSA project, and to Thai Government for the kind support to AFSIS project. They also reiterated to continually support AFSIS activities and the continued cooperation between Japanese and Thai governments for strengthening food security in ASEAN Region.
For the next technical support from MAFF of Japan is the “Project of Strengthening ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Function for Emergency” or SAFER project which is planned to start in October 2022 – September 2025 with the objective to strengthen the AFSIS function on immediate sharing of food security information in the case of emergency.
In late November and early December 2024, Malaysia and southern Thailand experienced severe flooding and heavy rainfall, which caused widespread damage, including landslides and agricultural devastation. In Malaysia, 25 districts across seven states were severely impacted, with households evacuated and extensive flooding reported. Similarly, southern Thailand experienced heavy rains and flash flooding, particularly in provinces affecting over 136,000 households. The floods severely damaged agricultural sectors, with significant losses in paddy rice and other crops, amounting to millions of dollars in damages in both countries. In response, both nations initiated emergency measures, including providing aid and conducting damage assessments. Malaysia focused on intensive assistance to affected households, while Thailand mobilized a range of relief efforts, including specialized equipment and emergency vehicles, to support flood-stricken regions. The agricultural losses in both countries highlight the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and more resilient agricultural systems.
The tropical cyclones that impacted the Philippines in November 2024, including Yinxing, Oraji, Usagi, and Man-Yi, have caused widespread devastation across several provinces, resulting in heavy rainfall, severe winds, flooding, and significant agricultural damage. These storms have left communities grappling with extensive losses, including damaged crops, disrupted livelihoods, and displacement. Despite the severe impacts, the government of the Philippines, along with international aid from neighboring countries and global partners, has mobilized resources for relief and recovery. The ongoing efforts to assist those affected highlight the resilience of the Filipino people and the importance of continued preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
On 26-27 November 2024, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, the AFSIS Manager, participated in the 30th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-30), held in Perth, Australia. This event was co-organized by the Australian Space Agency (ASA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The forum's focus was to bring together stakeholders from various space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to address pressing regional issues through space-based solutions.
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 22:57 WITA, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes, erupted on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, The eruption, lasting 24 minutes (1,450 seconds), was recorded with a massive amplitude of 47.3 mm. According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, a strong eruption sent ash up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), affecting over 10,000 people. Smaller eruptions followed on November 5-6. In response, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the volcano’s alert status to “Awas” (Level IV), indicating a high danger level.
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