Quezon City, 10-14 February 2025 – The 2nd ASEAN Standards and Certification for Experts in Disaster Management (ASCEND) Competency Assessment was successfully held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Education, Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC) in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines from 10-13 February 2025. The assessment was co-hosted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) of the Philippines and the AHA Centre, marking another significant step in the development of a standardised and recognised certification framework for disaster management professionals across ASEAN. This event was supported by the Republic of Korea through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) as part of the ASCEND programme.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV, Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration of the OCD of the Philippines, who underscored the importance of the ASCEND Programme in building a disaster-resilient ASEAN. He emphasized that the certification process is not only about individual competency but also about building a regional network of skilled professionals who can be mobilized swiftly and effectively in times of crisis.

Mr. Krishna Putra Tanaja, Deputy Executive Director of the AHA Centre, highlighted the ASCEND Programme’s commitment to continuous improvement. He noted that the second competency assessment incorporated key refinements based on feedback from the first assessment conducted in July 2024 in Indonesia, reinforcing the programme’s long-term objective of establishing a robust and respected certification system for disaster management experts in the

A total of twenty-three (23) disaster management practitioners from the ASEAN’s NDMOs, AHA Centre partner organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs), and academe were assessed using the ASCEND Competency Standards in the five professions: Rapid Assessment, Humanitarian Logistics, Information Management, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Humanitarian Shelter and Settlement. The comprehensive evaluation process aimed to identify and certify individuals who possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to effectively contribute to disaster response efforts within the ASEAN region.