Celebrating One Health Day: Empowering Emerging Leaders through the SEAOHUN Regional Internship

In honor of One Health Day, we are proud to spotlight the transformative journey of  our  SEAOHUN 2024 Interns and their contribution to global health initiatives. . This year, 20  interns, including Ms. Aulia Rachmaudina and Ms. Abellia Auriel Ashilah from Indonesia, enggaged in 3–4-month internships across 12 organizations throughout Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Both were placed with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Country Cluster Delegation for Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Timor Leste based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

During their  internship, Aulia and Abel were deeply involved in One Health initiatives focusing on global health security, pandemic preparedness, and health communication. Their participation in the Global Health Security Partnership Meeting allowed them to interact  with major organizations like the WHO, FAO, and INDOHUN. They also played integral roles in  the IFRC’s  showcase of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) and contributed to the discussions on  climate change activities planned for future work.

Ms. Aulia Rachmaudina, a fifth-year Public Health student at Hasanuddin University, shared, “My Internship at the IFRC significantly deepened my understanding of One Health. I observed how One Health principles are put into practice both in high-level expert discussions to community-based fieldwork.”

Ms. Abellia Auriel Ashilah, a fourth-year Public Health student at Universitas Indonesia, reflected on her time: “My experience at IFRC CCD Jakarta was an invaluable, enhancing both my personal and professional development. I learned about project management in an NGO setting through hands-on involvement in the CP3 Program.” Abelia also contributed to the CP3 Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) survey in Maros, South Sulawesi, and co-facilitated a joint training session for Indonesia Red Cross volunteers, focusing on zoonotic diseases like avian influenza and rabies.

Ms. Abellia Auriel Ashilah (Left) Ms. Aulia Rachmaudina (Right)

Both interns have gained invaluable insights and experiences that contribute to their personal and professional growth, enhancing their understanding of public health project management within a global NGO context.

On this One Health Day, we celebrate and empower our future One Health leaders, recognizing their dedication and impact on health initiatives globally!