ARMENIA HOSTS AN EARTHQUAKE SIMULATION RESPONSE EXERCISE
armradio.am
25.03.2009 11:11
On 24-26 March 2009, the United Nations Office in Armenia and the
Rescue Service of Armenia, under the Ministry of Emergency Situations,
implements the INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group)
Earthquake Simulation Response Exercise. This exercise is designed
to put into practice all the different components involved in the
coordination of international response to a country affected during
a sudden onset of natural disaster.
INSARAG Secretariat organizes similar Simulation Response Exercises
every year, which are unique awareness and training courses. Earthquake
Simulation Response Exercise in Armenia aims to increase the awareness
of INSARAG disaster response methodologies amongst national and local
authorities in Armenia, and to practice coordination and cooperation
between international and national responders during major disasters,
such as earthquakes.
Disaster managers and USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) teams from
22 countries, various UN agencies with their local counterparts,
international organizations operating in Armenia, and emergency
managers from relevant institutions participated in the exercise
in Armenia.
The exercise is supported by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) in Armenia, with funding from the Government of Estonia. The
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and German Technical
Cooperation (GTZ)=2 0also provided support in organization of the
exercise.
Acting UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Bushra Halepota said, "While
the United Nations and the international community promote a global
culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention,
mitigation and preparedness, earthquakes will still happen in high-risk
areas, resulting in collapsed buildings and infrastructure. Therefore,
it is of utmost importance to be well-prepared for potential earthquake
scenarios and have all the coordination arrangements in place for
both national and international response mechanisms and ensure prompt,
effective search and rescue operations, and relief response."
The INSARAG, under the UN umbrella, was established in 1991 following
initiatives of international search and rescue teams that responded to
the 1988 Spitak earthquake. The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) became a center of a global network of more than
80 countries and disaster response organizations, simplifying
international response procedures. The Field Coordination Support
Section of the OCHA in Geneva functions as INSARAG Secretariat. The
main goal of INSARAG is the efficient implementation of search and
rescue works as part of international response, coordination of work of
rescue services of various countries, drafting of common methodology,
and establishment of cooperation between international rescue teams
and local disaster management authorities, including their depl oyment,
operations, information management and drafting of common standards.
Thus, the main goals of the exercise in Armenia are: â~@¢ Mobilization
of international search and rescue teams, â~@¢ Planning of joint
actions of the Armenian Rescue Service and these teams, â~@¢ Practice
coordination and cooperation between international and national
responders during major disasters, such as earthquakes.
The exercise scenario is based on a possible major earthquake which
requires the affected country to make a request for international
assistance. It will see active involvement of international search and
rescue teams responding and working alongside national counterparts. In
parallel, there will be engagement of the national emergency management
team (LEMA) working alongside the in-country UN Disaster Management
Team (DMT). As a part of international response practice, the UN
Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team will be deployed
to assist national emergency management team (LEMA) in establishing
an immediate response coordination structures at the airport, as well
as on site operations and coordination center (OSOCC).