Southeast Asia Harm Reduction Association

01/04/2026

We warmly congratulate Catherine Cook on her appointment as the new Executive Director of Harm Reduction International (HRI).

Catherine has been a long-standing leader in the global harm reduction movement and has played a pivotal role in advancing evidence, advocacy, and accountability in drug policy. Her contributions including the development of the Global State of Harm Reduction and research tracking investment in harm reduction have helped strengthen the global response to drug policy and public health.

We wish Catherine great success in leading HRI during this important time and look forward to continued collaboration to advance health, human rights, and community-led harm reduction worldwide.

Read the announcement here: https://hri.global/people/catherine-cook/

Catherine is a leading expert on harm reduction, with nearly two decades of experience shaping global policy, research and advocacy. 

18/03/2026

Congratulations to Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman on her appointment to the United Nations independent expert panel supporting the global review of drug policy ahead of 2029.

Her selection by the UN Secretary-General reflects decades of leadership in public health, HIV, prison health, and harm reduction, as well as her strong advocacy for evidence-based and health-centred approaches to drug policy.

This upcoming global review, examining more than 60 years of the international drug control system, represents a rare opportunity to assess whether current policies truly advance health, human rights, and the wellbeing of communities.

For Southeast Asia, Professor Adeeba’s appointment is especially significant. The region faces complex challenges related to drug policy, HIV among key populations, and access to harm reduction services. Her expertise and regional perspective will help ensure that Southeast Asia’s realities, experiences, and solutions are reflected in global discussions.

The Southeast Asia Harm Reduction Association (AHRA) congratulates Professor Adeeba and welcomes this important step toward more evidence-informed, humane, and effective drug policies worldwide.

Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to an independent expert panel reviewing global drug policy ahead of the 2029 international review.

06/03/2026

A devastating blow to harm reduction.

After 36 years of lifesaving work, Mainline will be forced to close following the withdrawal of funding by the Dutch Ministry of Health.

This means the loss of:
• Outreach to communities often excluded from care
• Chemsex support and trusted health conversations
• The Mainline magazine and practical harm reduction knowledge
• Training, research, and global policy expertise

At a time when evidence-based public health leadership is urgently needed, allowing one of Europe’s most respected harm reduction organizations to disappear is a profound failure.

We call on leaders, funders, and decision-makers in the Netherlands and internationally to act now.

Reconsider funding decisions. Mobilize emergency support. Protect this expertise and the communities it serves.
Harm reduction saves lives. Let’s not abandon it.
In solidarity with the Mainline team and the communities they have supported for decades.

19/02/2026

AHRA is sharing information about the 69th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

The 69th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) will take place at the Vienna International Centre from 9–13 March 2026. This important global meeting brings together governments, UN agencies, and civil society to discuss international drug policy and harm reduction issues.

• Registration period: 2 February – 6 March 2026
• Pre-CND Webinar by International Drug Policy Consortium: 25 February 2026 (14:00–15:00 London time)
• Participants must register through the UNODC INDICO platform and provide a note verbale from an ECOSOC-accredited NGO.

Civil society organizations can also submit questions for interactive dialogues with UN agencies and the CND Chair during the session.
We encourage partners, community networks, and advocates to stay informed and engaged with this important global process.

Read more:
https://idpc.net/events/2025/10/69th-session-of-the-commission-on-narcotic-drugs-cnd Official event information:
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/commissions/CND/Events.html

— Shared by Southeast Asia Harm Reduction Association (AHRA)

CND: Meetings in the current year

19/02/2026

EU Example for Southeast Asia Learning 🇪🇺

In Bergen, Norway, Huset Bergen shows what is possible when harm reduction is fully peer-led and community-owned.
Founded and operated by people with lived and living experience, the House provides needle and syringe services, naloxone training, outreach, meals, night shelter, and pathways to housing and healthcare, all grounded in dignity and trust. There is no moralizing, no punishment only responsibility and shared ownership.

What stands out?

• Strong municipal backing
• Public support across political parties
• Engagement from business leaders
• Collaboration with hospital addiction services, including heroin-assisted treatment

This model demonstrates that peer-led harm reduction is not marginal; it is practical, effective, and economically sound. It reduces pressure on public systems while strengthening social participation.

For Southeast Asia, key learning points include:

• Equal pay and shared ownership within peer teams
• Formal municipal funding for low-threshold services
• Integration with clinical services without losing community leadership
• Public narrative shift: from punishment to support

Huset Bergen reminds us: when people are trusted as partners, not problems - cities change.

Huset Bergen in Norway is a peer-led harm reduction centre run by people who use drugs — with support from politicians and business leaders.

10/02/2026

Acknowledging a Generous Contribution

AHRA sincerely thanks an anonymous donor for a generous gift of USD 15,000 to support our ongoing regional work.

This contribution comes at a critical time and will directly strengthen our organizational sustainability and our ability to continue advocacy, technical assistance, and community-led harm reduction initiatives across Southeast Asia.

We are committed to responsible stewardship of all resources and to transparent reporting in line with our governance and accountability standards.

With gratitude for this important show of trust and solidarity.

04/02/2026

Explore AHRA’s Learning and Resource Hub

We are pleased to share the Southeast Asia Harm Reduction Association (AHRA)’s Learning and Resource Hub; an online platform designed to support practitioners, advocates, researchers, and community organizations working on harm reduction across the region.

Our Resource Hub brings together curated publications, guidance notes, and learning materials, including valuable contributions from our partners including Steering Group Members, Mainline and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). We are grateful for their collaboration and continued support in strengthening access to evidence-based resources.

You can explore the Resource Hub here:
https://www.harmreductionsea.org/ahra-learning-and-resource-hub/

To gain full access to all available materials and stay connected with AHRA’s regional network, we warmly encourage you to become a member:
https://www.harmreductionsea.org/become-a-member/

Thank you for your interest and for being part of the collective effort to strengthen harm reduction responses in Southeast Asia.

Membership Conditions for AHRA: Thank you for your interest in joining the growing Southeast Asia harm reduction Association's network of harm reduction groups and initiatives dedicated to confronting the drugs and health crisis in our region, and advancing the implementation of the cascade of harm....

15/01/2026

13/01/2026

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS | WHO – FIJI

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urgently recruiting qualified international experts to support the ongoing HIV outbreak response in Fiji.

Duty Station: Suva, Fiji
Contract Duration: 11 months
Application Deadline: 21 January 2026
Anticipated Start Date: 1 February 2026 (flexible for suitable candidates)

Available Positions:
• Technical Advisor – Adolescent-Responsive SRH, HIV, STI, BBV & TB (International)
Ref: 2600119
• HIV Surveillance and Data for Impact Advisor (International)
Ref: 2600118
• Senior Harm Reduction & Drug Health Programme Specialist
Ref: 2600117
• Sexual Health Advisor, HIV (International)

Ref: 2600113
Full Terms of Reference are available via the respective links on the WHO recruitment system.

Due to the urgency of this response, early applications are strongly encouraged.

For inquiries:
• Kiyohiko Izumi – [email protected]
• Biniam Kabethmyer – [email protected]

We kindly request our partners and networks to widely share this opportunity to support an effective and timely HIV response in the Pacific region.

05/01/2026

Drug Early Warning System | December 2025

With support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF), AHRA provided a sub-grant to KHANA to implement a peer-led Drug Early Warning System (DEWS) in Cambodia.

The DEWS strengthens community-based monitoring and enables timely public health awareness through peer leadership, outreach networks, and coordinated reporting.

Peer-led systems are critical for responsive, rights-based harm reduction.

05/01/2026

December 2025 | Cambodia

Through a sub-grant provided by the Southeast Asia Harm Reduction Association (AHRA), and implemented by KHANA with support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF), peer responders continued delivering essential harm reduction and HIV services across multiple provinces in Cambodia.

This peer-led emergency response supported community outreach, referrals, and capacity strengthening at a time when harm reduction services face increasing pressure.

Community leadership remains central to protecting health, dignity, and access to care.