Vietnam to host ASEAN’s disaster response exercise
As many as 2,500 people and 689 vehicles will take part in the 2013 ASEAN Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX-13) to be held in Vietnam on October 23.
The information was released by the ARDEX-13 organising board at a press conference on October 15.
This is the first activity to test the operational capability of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) since its establishment in November 2011.
The exercise will simulate the hypothetical scenario of Super Typhoon “Neptune”, which strikes the northern delta provinces of Vietnam and causes large-scale flooding while tens of thousands people suffering from collapsed houses and rising waters require emergency assistance.
ARDEX-13 aims to evaluate and recommend mechanisms ensuring readiness to deal with big disasters in the region, enabling the host and other participating countries to share their experiences in responding to disasters which are out of each nation’s control and need international support.
In addition to ASEAN member countries, representatives from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, relevant agencies from the United Nations and international organisations in Vietnam will also join the event.
Relevant units will take part in the final rehearsal on October 17 and carry out a combined operation with other teams from the region one day before the official exercise.