SHIFT Asia Mid-term Review Meeting
Bangkok to Strengthen Humanitarian Action Across Asia
Bangkok, Thailand | 30 June – 2 July 2026
The Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) participated in the Mid-term Review & Reflection Meeting of the SHIFT Asia (Supporting Humanitarian Initiatives for Transformation in Asia) project, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 30 June to 2 July 2026. Organized by the Oxfam Regional Platform, the three-day regional event brought together project partners and development stakeholders to review achievements, share lessons learned, and develop a strategic implementation roadmap for the project's second year.
The meeting convened representatives from Bangladesh, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Indonesia, alongside colleagues from the Oxfam Regional Team, Oxfam US, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The event provided a collaborative platform for strengthening partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and advancing locally led humanitarian action across Asia.
During the meeting, participating country teams assessed the progress and impact of the first year of project implementation while identifying priorities for Year 2 (July 2026–June 2027).
A key feature of the event was the “River of Year 1” Reflection Exercise, where participants visually mapped their implementation journey by identifying major achievements, enabling factors, and implementation challenges. This interactive process enabled partners to collectively reflect on successes, address bottlenecks, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Another major attraction was the Marketplace Stalls, where country teams showcased their Year 1 achievements, innovative practices, and lessons learned through interactive exhibitions. The session encouraged peer-to-peer learning and strengthened collaboration among implementing partners.
Representing Bangladesh, AVAS shared its achievements, field experiences, and best practices from the first year of the SHIFT Asia project. The organization highlighted its ongoing efforts to strengthen community resilience, promote locally led humanitarian initiatives, and enhance collaboration with local stakeholders.
The Mid-term Review concluded with a renewed commitment from all partners to accelerate implementation during the second year through innovation, knowledge sharing, and stronger regional cooperation. Participants reaffirmed their collective vision of transforming humanitarian action by empowering local actors, improving preparedness, and fostering inclusive partnerships across Asia.
AVAS is proud to contribute to the SHIFT Asia initiative and remains committed to working with regional and global partners to build more resilient, inclusive, and locally led humanitarian systems for vulnerable communities.
Keywords: AVAS, SHIFT Asia, Supporting Humanitarian Initiatives for Transformation in Asia, Oxfam Regional Platform, humanitarian action, locally led humanitarian response, humanitarian transformation, Bangladesh NGO, Bangkok meeting, regional collaboration, resilience, disaster preparedness.
