International exercise on earthquake response held in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - On initiative of UN Armenia Office and RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, Armenia is hosting 3-day International simulation-exercise on earthquake response organized by INSARAG.



INSARAG is a global network of more than 80 countries and disaster response organizations under the United Nations umbrella. INSARAG deals with urban search and rescue (USAR) related issues. INSARAG aims at establishing standards for international USAR teams and methodology for international coordination in earthquake response. Members of INSARAG are both earthquake-prone and responding countries and organizations.



Each year, INSARAG organizes regional USAR simulation-exercises and awareness training courses. These events provide a vehicle to introduce and practice disaster response coordination methodology as defined in the INSARAG Guidelines. The exercises and courses are typically hosted by earthquake-prone countries. The target audience are national disaster managers, the UNDAC team, IHP Support Modules as well as domestic disaster response teams and international USAR teams.



"Such exercises aim to strengthen cooperation for disaster response," said RA Minister of Emergency Situations Mher Shahgeldyan, who attended the opening ceremony today.