A senior Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) official says mental and psychological issues will be included in a new aid initiative initiated by Singapore and the Brunei Red Crescent, in line with its policy, as well the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) strategy 2030.

The CRC will host the 20th Annual Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leadership Meeting in 2023.

Men Neary Sopheak, first deputy secretary-general of the CRC, made the announcement on October 8 after returning from the 19th annual meeting and the 1st ASEAN Youth Dialogue, held from October 3- 7 in Banda Seri Begawan, Brunei.

“At the meeting, we discussed the Singapore-Brunei Red Crescent initiative, which they want to establish as a first aid network in ASEAN,” she said.

According to Sopheak, there is currently one centre, but it is universal, under the auspices of the French Red Cross and the American Red Cross. As ASEAN has a large population, they want to establish another centre.

She supported the establishment of the centre, adding that the CRC was developing mechanisms in line with the IFRC’s policies and would welcome experts from the Singapore Red Cross to instruct the CRC’s core trainers.

“The 11 national societies of the ASEAN bloc have agreed to support this initiative, and are examining how it will be implemented, including the sharing of mutual aid in building our first aid capacity,” she said.

First aid work has traditionally been focused on general health and physical harm, but due to the complex context of Covid-19 – as well as new infections – mental health issues and psychological work have been added to its remit.

“We are referring to these extra areas as additions to our first aid work,” she said.

She described the progress of the CRC in the fields of first aid, psychological, social and mental health support, adding that it has been providing training to officials, volunteers, youth and students. Its goal is to ensure that “in every house there is at least one family member who knows first aid”.

The CRC is ready to welcome the delegations who will attend the 20th meeting and 2nd ASEAN Youth dialogue in Phnom Penh next year.

According to the CRC, the 19th meeting focused on several important points, including the participation of the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies of Southeast Asia in the governorship of the IFRC, a vision of first aid work by 2030, progress of the Southeast Asia network and AIDS work in Asia.

The CRC was given the Banda Seri Begawan statement and formally handed the task of hosting the 20th leadership meeting and the 2nd ASEAN youth dialogue for 2023.