NATIONAL NEWS - The Government of South Africa, through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), will host the Africa, Europe, and Middle East (AEME) Earthquake Response Exercise (ERE) 2025 this week.
The event will take place at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha from 1 to 5 December.
According to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), this exercise is part of the global programme of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).
This initiative is mandated by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/150, which aims to strengthen international cooperation and coordination for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) in response to major disasters.
The 2025 event will bring together national responders, provincial and municipal role players, international USAR teams, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) experts, and humanitarian partners from across the AEME region.
Under the leadership of CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, the ERE serves as South Africa’s largest disaster readiness simulation to date.
This event marks a significant milestone in enhancing the country’s position as a continental hub for emergency response.
According to the department, the ERE scheduled for 2025 will simulate a large-scale earthquake impacting a densely populated urban area.
This scenario will also involve cascading hazards, such as flooding, hazardous material incidents, and disruptions to essential services.
This multi-hazard scenario will test South Africa’s ability to coordinate complex operations involving the USAR, flood and water rescue, emergency medical response, evacuation and shelter management, humanitarian relief operations, and inter-agency communication and strategic coordination.
“The exercise will also validate national protocols for requesting, receiving, and coordinating international support in a major disaster.
“Hosting the AEME Earthquake Response Exercise highlights South Africa’s commitment to global disaster cooperation and our responsibility to protect lives. This exercise strengthens our readiness, sharpens our coordination systems, and positions our country as a leader in regional and international emergency response,” said Hlabisa.
The gathering will also enhance South Africa’s commitment to strengthening the national disaster management framework, improving readiness across all levels of government, and fostering collaboration with international partners.
This initiative aims to enhance coordination among national, provincial, and municipal disaster management centres, while also strengthening interoperability among police, fire services, emergency medical services (EMS), defence forces, and humanitarian organisations.
In addition, it seeks to promote regional cooperation with partners in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and implement INSARAG and UNDAC methodologies in a real-time national context.
The initiative will also focus on developing a common operating picture for large-scale disaster response and building practical skills through workshops, tabletop exercises, and field simulations. – SAnews.gov.za
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