• Today: October 14, 2026

Boost for humanitarian, cross-border disaster cooperation

The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BRC) and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) yesterday signed the Borneo Island Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the official visit of Yang Teramat Mulia Brigedier Jeneral Dato’ Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Tunku Temenggong Kedah and National Chairman of the MRCS, to the BRC Headquarters at Kompleks Annajat, Beribi.

The MoU reflects both parties’ commitment to strengthening humanitarian cooperation and cross-border disaster response mechanisms, particularly across the island of Borneo, including Sabah and Sarawak, as well as in other areas where there are cross-border humanitarian interests and needs.

The cooperation focuses on disaster management and disaster risk reduction, information sharing, joint humanitarian assistance, capacity building and emergency response coordination.

Among the key areas outlined in the MoU are strengthening cross-border disaster management and disaster risk reduction. Cooperation will be enhanced in addressing disasters commonly occurring across Borneo, including floods, haze, forest fires and landslides. Joint efforts may also include haze pollution management and flood mitigation in transboundary river basin areas, utilising regional disaster management mechanisms and frameworks.

The signed MoU will also enhance joint humanitarian assistance and capacity building. Both parties will strengthen information sharing, training, capacity building and emergency response coordination, particularly in border areas with high population mobility. The cooperation will also emphasise raising awareness of and promoting the application of International Humanitarian Law and the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The BRC and MRCS will also strengthen humanitarian security and management in border areas. Cooperation through official channels and border control posts will help address humanitarian issues arising from cross-border movements, including community needs and situations requiring humanitarian assistance.

The initiative will also provide opportunities to institutionalise annual meetings involving relevant stakeholders, serving as a platform for humanitarian dialogue and cooperation to strengthen security, preparedness and community resilience across Borneo.

The MoU will also optimise emergency response efforts, with cooperation focusing on enhancing coordination to ensure the faster, more organised and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance across borders, particularly during major disasters or emergencies requiring the mobilisation of resources and joint assistance.

The MoU was signed by Yang Teramat Mulia Brigedier Jeneral Dato’ Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Tunku Temenggong Kedah and National Chairman of the MRCS, and President of the BRC Lailatul Zubaidah binti Haji Mohd Hussain.

The visit served as a platform to strengthen cooperation and humanitarian networks between the two Red Crescent societies, particularly in disaster management, emergency preparedness, humanitarian assistance and capacity building. – James Kon

Yang Teramat Mulia Brigedier Jeneral Dato’ Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Tunku Temenggong Kedah and National Chairman of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, and President of the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society Lailatul Zubaidah binti Haji Mohd Hussain with the signed memorandum of understanding. PHOTO: SIM Y H

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR :BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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