We, at the Project organising
Committee, are very pleased that a national coalition of NGOs on
disaster relief is finally taking shape. It has been three years in
the making.
The Malaysian Humanitarian Foundation (MHf)
has long felt the need for such a coalition to enable the NGOs to
better coordinate their activities. There are a number of NGOs in
the country dealing with disaster relief but there is yet to be
found a national body, which can coordinate the efforts, interact
with government agencies as well as represent them at the regional
and international forum. This coalition will, therefore, fill the
void.
I was pleased to see the overwhelming
support form the NGOs themselves in the formation of such a body. It
bodes will for its future activities because it is the NGOS
themselves who will have to provide the leadership and drive it.
From the initial discussions that have
been taken place, there is every reason to hope that both the
Conference and the Exhibition will be a success. It is also my hope
that the national coalition will encourage the formation of similar
bodies in other ASEAN countries so that eventually an ASEAN national
coalition of NGOs can be established.
The project Organising Committee would
also like to warmly welcome the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for
Social Welfare for being so kind as to be present at this historic
occasion of the founding of the national coalition and the
Exhibition.
I would also like to express my
personal thanks and gratitude to the Minsiter of National Unity and
Social Development, Y.B. Dato' Dr. Siti Hajah Siti Zaharah Bt. Haji
Sulaiman and her staff, the members of the Project Organising
Committee, the Secretariat of the Malaysian Humanitarian Foundation,
all the NGOs who have participated in our preliminary meetings
leading up to the Conference and Exhibition and our sponsors for
their strong support, encouragement and cooperation.
