Asean to Set Up Covid-19 Relief Fund, Strengthen Cooperation During Pandemic

Nur Yasmin
April 14, 2020 | 8:52 pm
SHARE
From left, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, President Joko Widodo and Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto during the virtual Asean Special Summit at the Bogor Palace on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Presidential Secretariat)
From left, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, President Joko Widodo and Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto during the virtual Asean Special Summit at the Bogor Palace on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Presidential Secretariat)

Jakarta. Leaders of Asean member countries agreed to establish a collective post-pandemic relief fund after meeting virtually for the Asean Special Summit on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged the member countries to band together during the pandemic, which has killed 930 people in Southeast Asia, the majority of them, 459, in Indonesia.

The president also suggested forming a task force with Japan, China and South Korea, some of the first countries to be impacted by the pandemic.

"The president stressed the importance of Asean cooperation, especially within the Asean plus three [Japan, China, and South Korea] realm. We also suggested setting up protocols to protect residents of Asean countries during this pandemic," Retno said.

Advertisement

The summit resulted in a declaration that includes reallocating the existing Asean Development Fund to the Asean Recovery Fund (ARF) to restore stability in the region once the pandemic is over.

The block established the Asean Development Fund in 1974 as a kind of regional savings account set aside for infrastructure development.

Initially, each country put in $1 million to kickstart the program. 

The Asean economic ministers who had met each other earlier on March 10 have been tasked to maintain connectivity of the supply chain in the region and ensure trade disruptions are kept at a minimum.

"The leaders have asked the economic ministers to prepare a social safety net program for when the pandemic is over. We will need to recover from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. Our main concerns are with small businesses and other vulnerable groups," Retno said on Tuesday.

The declaration also spells out cooperation agreements in information exchange, best-practice sharing, research development, epidemiology development and vaccine research.

It also suggests future collaborations in the provision of medical equipment, Covid-19 testing kits and personal protective equipment.

The rest of the document details protection for residents of Asean member countries, a strengthening of public communication and prevention of stigmatization and discrimination against Covid-19 victims. 

"To reduce cross-border spread of the virus, President Jokowi suggested Asean leaders come up with a standard operating procedure – the Joint Contact-Tracing and Outbreak Investigation, which is now included in the Asean Standard Operating Procedure for Public Health Emergency," Retno said.

When the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit the region in 2003, Asean leaders also launched collective measures against the virus.

Almost 20,000 residents of the ten Asean member countries have contracted the coronavirus, aside from the 930 deaths. 

Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia are leading the chart with the most number of infections in the region.

However, each country has been taking different measures to manage the spread of the virus.

The Philippines decided on a nationwide lockdown on March 17 with a stern "shoot them dead" warning to citizens if they violate the policy. 

Malaysia also locked down its borders the day after and has been extending the ban continuously as cases are still rising.

Indonesia has been cautiously avoiding using the term "lockdown" and sticks to extending travel bans and implementing large-scale social restriction in several cities, including the pandemic epicenter Jakarta.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jun 4, 2025 | 9:40 am

No Need to Panic Over Recent COVID-19 Spike, Health Minister Says

Health Minister Budi Sadikin says recent COVID-19 variants in Indonesia are not deadly, urges public to stay calm and follow health protocol
News Jun 3, 2025 | 5:28 pm

Indonesia on Alert as Prabowo Responds to COVID-19 Uptick

President Prabowo summons Health Minister Budi amid rising COVID-19 cases. Public urged to stay calm and follow basic health precautions.
News Jun 1, 2025 | 12:03 pm

Indonesia Issues COVID-19 Advisory Amid New Wave in Asia

In Indonesia, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped from 28 to just three over the past week.
Opinion May 29, 2025 | 12:42 pm

The Best Deal with Trump is No Deal

Trump’s portrayal of China, Japan, S. Korea, India, and ASEAN as job thieves is misleading and distorts economic reality.
Business May 27, 2025 | 2:43 pm

ASEAN, Gulf Nations Get Closer as Trade Hits $130.7 Billion

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wants its trade with ASEAN to reach $180 billion by 2032.
Business May 21, 2025 | 3:20 pm

It Can Be Hard for ASEAN to Set Common Negotiation Plan on US Tariffs

An economist says that each ASEAN member is at a different stage of development, making a common US tariff negotiation plan impossible.
News May 19, 2025 | 5:56 pm

Indonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok

Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.
News May 19, 2025 | 5:45 pm

Indonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok

Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.
News Apr 21, 2025 | 3:31 pm

Three Indonesian Citizens in Korea Receive Honorary Awards from South Korean Government

The three individuals were recognized for their heroic actions in saving local residents from a forest fire disaster that struck Yeongdeok.
Opinion Apr 7, 2025 | 11:31 am

Unleashing Borneo’s Potential: Will Indonesia Step Up?

Often overlooked, Borneo is ASEAN’s biggest elephant in the room of regional growth.

The Latest


News 4 hours ago

Bloody Brawl Erupts at Cockfighting Arena in Bali, Leaving One Dead

Cockfighting, known locally as tajen, is a traditional but controversial practice in Bali.
News 4 hours ago

Military Parade Rolls Through DC as 'No Kings' Protesters across US Decry Trump

About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday’s parade was “not a good use” of government money.
Lifestyle 17 hours ago

Hard Rain, Harder Rock: The SIGIT Ignites Semesta Berpesta in Soaked Bandung Night

The SIGIT lit up a rain-soaked Semesta Berpesta in Bandung, with fans moshing in ponchos and singing through the drizzle.
News 19 hours ago

Air India Crash Death Toll Rises to 270

Air India crash death toll climbs to 270 as search teams recover more bodies; investigators analyze black box for crash clues.
News 20 hours ago

Australian Man Killed, Another Injured in Bali Villa Shooting

An Australian man was killed and another wounded after a gunman broke into their villa in Bali's Badung regency early Saturday morning.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED