Archipelagic Southeast Asia (ASEA)

Archipelagic Southeast Asia (ASEA) is comprised of tens of thousands of islands and a small part of mainland Southeast Asia; it encompasses the countries of the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. High levels of poverty are found in the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste, driven by a mix of factors, including environmental destruction, climate change, unfair trade, natural disasters, conflict, poor governance, political instability, lack of education, gender inequality, and low levels of citizen participation.

Development has been favouring the urban over the rural, those formally employed over those in informal employment or unemployed, men over women, and some geographical areas over others, with greater poverty in areas such as Mindanao in the Philippines, provinces of eastern Indonesia, and throughout rural Timor-Leste. The region is one of the most active volcanic and earthquake regions in the world, and also experiences frequent typhoons, floods and droughts, as well as threats from pandemics.

Oxfam Hong Kong’s work in ASEA focuses on improving the livelihoods and security of small-scale farmers and fishers in the context of conflict in the southern Philippines, Timor-Leste and eastern Indonesia.

This work includes:

• improving access of farmers and fishers to resources and markets
• reducing vulnerability to disasters and supporting adaptation to the impacts of climate change
• supporting poor women’s leadership and empowerment
• supporting timely and effective humanitarian responses

In addition, regional level work concentrates on advocacy on climate change and agricultural issues and on fostering civil society engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Read more about our work in this region
An Alternative Regionalism