Mock drills test NDMA’s disaster readiness

Syndicates at National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Provincial Level Simulation Exercise (SimEx) on Thursday showcased their pre-disaster preparedness plans, shared recommendations and coordination strategies with various government and humanitarian stakeholders.

The Multi Hazards SimEx covers a range of topics to enhance the disaster management cycle including components of gender and child protection.

The purpose of conducting multi-hazards mock exercises was to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of Balochistan’s disaster management agencies to deal with emergency-like situations.

As part of proactive approach, NDMA has organized three-day simulation exercises. The syndicates also emphasized the need for effective coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders involved in disaster management and relief activities.

Read Balochistan prioritises disaster readiness

The participants applied the learned concepts to respond to simulated disasters at local and national level.

Six syndicates participated in the mock exercise including representatives from Provincial Disaster Management Authority Balochistan, District Disaster Management Authorities, armed forces and NGOs.

Mock drills on preparedness and response based on various scenarios such as cyclones, forest fires, floods and earthquakes were conducted in the exercise.

NDMA conducted first SimEx at national level in March this year in Islamabad.

To examine technical driven probabilistic recurrence of floods, forest fires, earthquake, coastal emergencies in Balochistan, the exercise would enable the provincial departments and local administrations for preparing plan at all tier.