KUCHING: Robust collaborative networks spanning professions, agencies and nations are crucial to strengthening preparedness and response to increasingly complex disasters.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said disaster management could no longer depend on a single profession or country, but required comprehensive cooperation involving the health sector, fire and rescue services, governments, researchers, technology experts, humanitarian organisations and communities.
“Networking in disaster management is not merely about exchanging contact details or meeting at conferences.
“It is about trust, understanding the capabilities of our partners and being ready to work together when our communities need us most,” he said.
He spoke to officiate the 9th World Society of Disaster Nursing (WSDN) International Research Conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday.
According to Datuk Amar Dr Sim, challenges such as climate change, transboundary haze, drought, infectious diseases, technological disasters and humanitarian emergencies call for a more integrated and holistic approach to disaster management.
He noted that Sarawak’s experience in handling the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government leaders, the health sector and various agencies to ensure swift and effective action during a crisis.
Meanwhile, he emphasised the crucial role of nurses as frontliners throughout the entire disaster management cycle, encompassing preparedness, community education, emergency response, recovery and building community resilience.
“Nurses have close relationships with patients, families and communities, which provide them with a unique perspective that must be incorporated into disaster-related planning and decision-making,” he said.
The Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government added that building community resilience requires continuous engagement and coordination among all parties to ensure communities are better prepared to face any form of disaster or emergency in the future.
The three-day conference brought together experts, practitioners and researchers from Malaysia and abroad to advance knowledge sharing, research and practices in disaster nursing and management.
Also present were Deputy Rector (Academic and Internationalisation) of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Professor Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faris Ismail, Chairperson of the World Society of Disaster Nursing Professor Sonoe Mashino and WSDN Conference 2026 Chairperson Dr Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin. -UKASnews
Prepared By: Ezzah Syafiqah
Photo: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Nerissa Sia
