Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre Stood Up to Support Regional COVID-19 Assistance

Director Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre, Colonel (COL) Melvin Tan chairing the video conference session attended by representatives of local and foreign government agencies and HADR coordination centres, private institutions and NGOs.

In view of the worsening COVID-19 situation, the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre (RHCC) is contributing to COVID-19 assistance efforts in the region. The Changi RHCC will facilitate HADR coordination, and complement the efforts of international and regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

On 14 July 2021, Changi RHCC organised a video conference session attended by representatives of local and foreign government agencies and HADR coordination centres, private institutions and non-governmental organisations. The meeting discussed the need to collaborate on COVID-19 relief needs and efforts, especially in information-sharing and the transfer of critical medical equipment and supplies to affected areas. 

Director Changi RHCC, Colonel Melvin Tan, who chaired the video conference said, "By bringing together different partners in militaries, international agencies and non-profit organisations, the Changi RHCC can help fuse information and disseminate a regional situation picture to our partners through our OPERA Computer Information System web-portal. With our operational experience and network of international liaison officers and linkages with regional militaries, non-governmental organisations and external partners, the Changi RHCC can also facilitate matching and collaboration of efforts, such as in the transfer medical equipment and supplies. We seek to contribute to our partners' efforts and work with them in this fight against COVID-19 in our region."

Launched in 2014, the Changi RHCC is located at the Changi Command and Control Centre in RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base. Since becoming operational, Changi RHCC has coordinated assistance in the form of aid including the deployment of disaster relief teams to Nepal 2015, as well as emergency supplies and equipment to Laos in 2018.

COL Tan (right) interacting with a foreign international liaison officer.