Oceania‚ East Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Consultation Report

Our Oceania, East Asia and Southeast Asia (OESEA) regional consultation report centres on the region’s priorities, the humanitarian research and innovation (HRI) system currently in place and provides insights into implementing culturally and contextually appropriate HRI responses.

The OESEA region, marked by its cultural, economic, and ecological diversity, faces significant humanitarian challenges, is the world’s most disaster-prone area, with frequent natural hazards like typhoons, earthquakes, and climate change-induced events. Additionally, conflicts and social unrest contribute to complex humanitarian needs. Around 77% of the world’s disaster-affected people live in the Asia-Pacific, making it a critical focus for humanitarian research and innovation (R&;I).

Key findings:

• Misalignment of R&;I Investments with Needs: There is a reported misalignment between R&;I investments and actual needs due to top-down decision-making, donor priorities, and difficulty advocating for slow-onset disaster funding.
• Stakeholder Engagement Variability: Stakeholder engagement ranges from limited to robust partnerships. Effective engagement relies on trust, continuous dialogue, and overcoming biases against researchers from the Global South.
• Donor Power: Donors significantly influence R&;I priorities, often based on media-driven agendas and political considerations. Aligning these priorities with actual needs requires transparency, early action, and collaboration.

Recommendations:

• Establish Ethical Standards: Develop global and regional ethical guidelines for R&;I during crises, ensuring inclusive research practices.
• Prioritise Key R&;I Topics: Conduct comprehensive research to identify and prioritise humanitarian R&;I needs, using inclusive methods to capture diverse perspectives.
• Strengthen Partnerships: Create a regional R&;I hub to facilitate partnerships, coordination, and resource sharing. This hub should include sub-regional groups to address specific local challenges.
• Enhance Dissemination: Improve access to R&;I findings through a regional repository and training in knowledge translation.
• Promote Localisation: Support meaningful engagement of local stakeholders by overcoming structural barriers and building local capacity.
• Flexible Funding and Coordination: Advocate for flexible funding mechanisms and coordinated donor efforts to maximise R&;I impact.

The OESEA region’s diverse humanitarian landscape requires a robust, adaptable, and inclusive R&;I ecosystem. By addressing key challenges and implementing these recommendations, stakeholders can enhance resilience, preparedness, and effective humanitarian response tailored to the region’s unique needs.

This OESEA consultation was undertaken by the Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University as part of our landmark Global Prioritisation Exercise (GPE) for HRI. The consultation was led by Marian Abouzeid and Shahram Akbarzadeh. Data collection and data transcription were undertaken by Helen Seignior. Data analysis was conducted by Yaseen Ayobi and Chaza Akik, with contribution to preliminary analysis from Helen Seignior. This report was written by Yaseen Ayobi, Marian Abouzeid, Chaza Akik, Helen Seignior and Joshua Hallwright.

Find out more about the GPE[.slimline-cta_paragraph][.slimline-cta-box]