A crisis is a test of strength. It reveals the character of leadership and whether individuals and communities can come together in times of greatest need. In the past, the 10 countries of Asean have shown exceptional resolve in jointly overcoming crises, such as the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and the 2004 tsunami and earthquakes.
Once again, this crisis – the Covid-19 pandemic – is testing Asean’s collective resolve. While the pandemic spreads fear, insecurity and socioeconomic losses across the region, it can also be a powerful catalyst for Asean to strengthen its regional strategy for crisis response and recovery. The monsoon season looms and a region especially vulnerable to natural disasters may soon face more of them – threatening many of the same people already hard-hit by the viral pandemic.
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