MANILA — The Philippines will be hosting this year’s International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) in Clark, Pampanga on June 25 to 29.
The event is under the Asia-Pacific Regional Earthquake Response Exercise.
The five-day event includes a three-day exercise preparation phase followed by a two-day simulation exercise phase. Preparatory activities are ongoing, facilitated by the local and international Exercise Controllers (Excon), and the host country through the established Steering Committee led by exercise director Rodrigo Diapana of the Office of Civil Defense.
“The Philippines, through the National Council, takes pride in hosting this year’s INSARAG. This is an opportune time for us to showcase our capacities in the international scene, with the hope to further enhance international relations through disaster management and humanitarian assistance,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director and Civil Defense administrator Ricardo Jalad said.
Around 23 countries worldwide, representing various sectors from the government, non-government and international organizations, are expected to participate in the forthcoming exercise.
Jalad said the INSARAG is a global network under the United Nations umbrella dealing with Urban Search and Rescue related issues.
For many years, INSARAG has held exercises in countries around the world seeking to strengthen a country’s response capacity to a major earthquake disaster and to enhance ability to work with international partners and agencies during the initial humanitarian phase of any emergency. (Priam Nepomuceno with Ericka Cirera, OJT/ PNA)
