On 1st September 2022, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, had a meeting with Mr. Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), during the latter’s visit to Thailand from 31 August – 1 September 2022.

Both sides exchanged information and views on situations and humanitarian challenges in the region, the provision of humanitarian assistance to people in need, and next steps for the implementation of the ASEAN-IFRC MoU on the Strengthening of Community Resilience in Southeast Asia.

IFRC Secretary General commended active roles played by the Royal Thai Government and the Thai Red Cross Society in the provision of humanitarian assistance for people affected by conflict, disaster and COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their close cooperation with IFRC. He also highlighted the importance of the secondment of aid workers to other Red Cross Societies in the region or IFRC. VFM informed IFRC Secretariat of Thailand’s plan to make financial contribution to IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support disaster preparedness and response at the community level, thus reiterate Thailand’s commitment and long tradition on humanitarian assistance.