On 28 June 2024, the AFSIS Secretariat was invited to join a significant meeting with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Secretariat. The meetings aimed to discuss potential collaboration for exploring the LRBFR and to learn from their experiences over more than 10 years of operating the regional emergency rice reserve and the food security-related information-sharing system. which collaborative by Representatives from the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) of Thailand also participated in the discussion.
The meeting was structured into 4 main sessions:
ERIA Presentation: Mr.Masanori Kozono, Senior Policy Fellow of ERIA provided a concise overview of the study's background, objectives,the team involved, and the expected outcomes. During his presentation, he emphasized the need for guidance and support from ASEAN Member States, and the APTERR and AFSIS secretariat. Following this, Prof. Achmad Suryana presented the outline of the country study, underscoring the importance of learning from national experiences with the APTERR Mechanism and food reserve systems at the country level.
APTERR Presentation: Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn APTERR manager discussed their activities, including the disbursement mechanisms for rice reserves (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3), financial needs for operations, strategies for the quick release of emergency food reserves and Food Emergency Monitoring and Information (FEMI) that cooperate utilize data from AFSIS
AFSIS Presentation: Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS Manager, provided an overview of AFSIS operations, highlighting its role in enhancing food security information across ASEAN Plus Three countries. She discussed AFSIS mechanisms, its contributions to the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework (AIFS) and the Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN Region (SPA-FS) 2021-2025, Moreover, she presented the progress of the establishment of a permanent mechanism for the sustainability of AFSIS.
Ms. Pasinee Napombejra, an expert on Public Sector Development from the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), presentation on the Provincial Crops Calendar for Food Security and Nutrition, during the session. The presentation highlighted the current situation in Thailand and introduced the OAE statistical database
Following the meeting, the ERIA team acknowledged the pivotal role of AFSIS and appreciated its comprehensive activities, recognizing their potential for further development and benefit to the ASEAN Member States. They expressed eagerness for continued collaboration with AFSIS and the other organizations involved.
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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