Chan’s current role as assistant secretary‐general involves overseeing operations, community engagement and volunteer programmes, adapting services to meet the needs of Singapore’s ageing population and at‐risk youth. “We know that there are a lot of needs on the ground, but the SRC is just one organisation. It’s difficult for us to meet the challenge just by ourselves,” she says. To effectively manage these struggles, it launched the Responders for Resilience programme last year, aiming to train 1,000 volunteers in Singapore annually in standard and psychological first aid as well as other critical skills. It trained about 850 volunteers last year. “If we build a good volunteer group and staff, it’ll support all our programmes,” she asserts.

After some 12 years at the SRC, Chan says that one of her biggest learnings came from her participation in its response to the Nepal earthquake in 2015. “We saw 30 Red Crosses when we arrived on the ground,” she recalls. The experience brought about a critical realisation for Chan and her team: an effective disaster response necessitates collaboration across organisations, especially in less‐developed regions. “No single organisation can manage the response alone when operating in less‐developed countries,” she expounds.

This ethos of collaboration was particularly evident during the pandemic, which presented unique logistical challenges. “The [operations during that period] made us realise that having money isn’t the most important thing,” she notes, detailing the difficulties in procuring masks when faced with higher bids from other countries. It showed the SRC how it could improve internal processes to meet urgent global demands effectively.

For Chan, these experiences reinforced the importance of innovation in humanitarian efforts. “We cannot take peace for granted,” she asserts, driven by the realisation that crises can arise unexpectedly and anywhere in the world. Locally, the SRC is working on ways to engage youths by modernising its programmes, integrating advanced technology such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence to make them more appealing and educational, alongside education on social issues and relief efforts. It is also working to increase community collaboration in Singapore. “We’re working with [the National Parks Board] to ensure a first aid presence in every park,” she shares, “which will require us to train many more volunteers.” This initiative is part of a broader effort to build a more united and resilient community.

Given her experience, Chan is familiar with the mental strain associated with disaster response. “Once you know that you’re a bit burnt out, you [should] step back,” she says. This approach ensures that volunteers can continue to provide effective support without compromising their own health. “It’s important to have strong relationships with your colleagues and volunteers so you can watch out for [one another],” she adds.

Despite the global issues that continually arise, Chan sees immense potential to make an impact in humanitarian aid for those passionate about making a difference. “In a sad way, the opportunities are huge because there’ll be more of these challenges that are going to get bigger. If you have a heart for people, whether in Singapore or abroad, then this is a field for you to explore,” she says.

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