On 20 March 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries of Malaysia, the host country for the 22nd AFSIS Focal Point Meeting, and AFSIS Secretariat convened their first meeting to discuss the organization of the 22nd AFSIS Focal Point Meeting in 2024. The objective of this meeting was to provide information on the steps needed to prepare for the upcoming AFSIS Focal Point Meeting.
On occasion, Mr. Shahril Faizal Bin Abdul Jani, Malaysia's AFSIS Focal Point, extended greetings and introduced the Malaysia team members. These included Mr. Ahmad Fauzi Bin Idris, Mr. Mahdir Bahar (principal assistant Secretary), and Mrs. Siti Nuraini Binti Rusli (Assistant Secretary), who emphasized the collaborative effort from Malaysia's side. During the meeting, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS manager, delivered an overview and provided a brief introduction to the AFSIS Focal Point Meeting. This included reviewing the checklist of discussions from the initial meeting.
Following the meeting, AFSIS forwarded a summary of the discussions along with sample reference documents, such as invitation letters and registration forms, to Malaysia for further review and processing. Additionally, Malaysia expressed a preference for holding a second meeting in April to continue preparations
This initial meeting marks the beginning of collaborative efforts between Malaysia and ASIS Secretariat to organize the 22nd AFSIS Focal Point Meeting, which aimed at enhancing regional food security initiatives and information sharing within the ASEAN community.
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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