Lombok the island next to Bali has mountains and beaches and the beauty masks poverty. Oxfam has been working with local partners and the district government to prepare communities to respond to the natural disasters that occur – floods, mudslides, volcanic eruptions

We visited the village of Belanting about a two hour drive from the capital Mataram, at the foot of an active volcano, the village is next to a small river which provides a good water supply for its crops.

We are met enthusiastically by a team of mainly young men and women, dressed with heavy boots and carrying knapsacks – they are the village emergency response team, they watch for potential disasters, alert the villagers when they have to evacuate and lead and manage the response along with key members of local government.

They told us about the events last year, when it had been raining for 3 days and 3 nights – there was an early warning alert from the village high up in the mountains that the rivers were rising and could reach them soon – the mustered the teams – some gathered and monitored information, the logistics team made sure everyone was ready, they alerted the local communities to the need to come to higher ground, bringing with them some (but of course not all) their belongings

At the muster station they were already pitching the big Red Cross tent, to protect people from the cold of night and house the sick and elderly – the teams are trained in basic first aid and can care for people until their can get proper medical assistance. The community lost 2 people during the flash floods and the emergency response team said they practice their skills so that no-one will be lost again.

I had the privilege of being in the same room as an icon this week – attending the World Economic Forum meeting in Bangkok I was luckily enough to hear Aung San Su Kyi speak, sit behind her, see her in the corridor – the first time she entered the room there was a hush – I could feel that everyone wanted to speak to her, ask her a question , just look at her – but mostly the meeting participants gave her space (the media cameras did not – I guess a good photos of ASSK outside Myanmar after 24 years were at a premium)

It is a strange thing – seeing a person so famous in person – I was fascinated by her trade mark flowers in her hair – they always matched her outfit – she seemed so calm – always in the middle of a chaotic group – but never distracted by it.

Imagine being able to leave your country, your home for the first time in such a long time  (especially as she travelled so extensively previously) – what must it feel like? So much has changed – I wanted to know if she was scared? – we are expecting so much of her…someone did ask where she gets her strength from – she said it must be in her DNA – her mother taught her duty above everything – she said she can’t say she has always been good, but she tried her best – she is amazingly humble.

I have a regret – I was speaking to the SG of ASEAN in a small meeting and she was sitting in front of me – I could have introduced myself to her – I was that close – and do you know what I thought? She must be so tired of people going up to her – so I just smiled and took my seat again…