EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE EXERCISES HELD IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
March 24, 2009

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS: UN Armenian office and Armenian
Emergency Situations Ministry’s Rescue Service are carrying out
INSARAG exercises (response to earthquake, group consultation on
international search-rescue issues) March 24-26. Today early in the
morning the exercises were held in the Armenian province of Lori and
on March 26 will be wrapped up in Arzni gorge. At the exercises it
is expected to try all the elements of the international response
which will be necessary for a country suffered from a natural disaster.

Heads of disaster management establishments of 22 countries, rescue
teams, UN different agencies participate in the Armenian exercises.

In the opening of the event Armenian Emergency Minister Mher
Shahgeldyan said that disasters do not recognize borders and in the
whole world coordination mechanisms are being developed, institutions
are being established the issue of which is to coordinate the search,
rescue, prevention forces and opportunities of different countries.

"INSARAG organization has been established taking into consideration
the tragic experience of Spitak earthquake. From this viewpoint
the goal of the world organization is to coordinate the forces of
countries," the minister said.

UN permanent coordinator in Armenia Bushra Halepota said that it is
necessary to be ready to possible earthquake and have functioning
coordinating mechanisms, ensure immediate and effective search,
rescue activities as well as restoration works.