The global COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated that non-traditional security (NTS) issues pose existential threats to individuals, society and the state, as evident in the high death toll and significant disruptions to socioeconomic activities. Vulnerable groups such as women, children, migrant workers and displaced populations have been affected disproportionately. National and local lockdowns have exposed vulnerabilities in global logistics and supply chains, which have affected access to goods.

On 20 September 2021, the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre) at RSIS organised the second of a two-part webinar to discuss the current challenges the world faces as a result of COVID-19. The first webinar was held in June 2021 and covered climate, food and nuclear security.

In this second webinar, three researchers from the centre’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) programme offered their perspectives on the linkages between pandemics and disasters, as well as innovations ranging from cash programming to remote working in emergency response.

Professor Mely Caballero-Anthony, Head of NTS Centre, delivered the opening remarks while Dr Alistair D. B. Cook, Coordinator of the HADR Programme, moderated the session. The panellists were Dr Lina Gong, Research Fellow; Mr Christopher Chen, Associate Research Fellow; and Ms S. Nanthini, Senior Analyst.

Ms S. Nanthini argued that to avoid protracted crises in Southeast Asia countries need nexus governance to work across sectors. Dr Lina Gong highlighted the use of remote humanitarian programming and its contribution to addressing the severe humanitarian challenges during COVID-19. Mr Christopher Chen tracked the impact of cash transfers during the pandemic and pinpointed the limits to implementing these programmes under crisis conditions.

Catch it here on the RSISVideoCast YouTube channel: