BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise [BIMSTEC DMEx]

The BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise was initiated with the goal of putting existing emergency alert, readiness, and response procedures to test under disastrous earthquake and flood scenarios.

BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise DMEx-2017

The first-ever four-day Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017) was launched by Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is the primary agency for the exercise, which took place in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) from 10 to 13 October 2017. It was attended by around 135 participants from all BIMSTEC Member States, including top-level officials working with associated policy and operational issues.

In Delhi and its suburbs, the BIMSTEC DMEx-2017 was being held in two parts. Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX), and After Action Review (AAR) were the key exercises.

The Home Minister expressed worry over the disasters, saying that during the recent rainy season, millions of people were impacted by floods and landslides in practically all of the BIMSTEC nations.

The exercise's major goal was to develop synergy and synchronize efforts across the Member States to institutionalize regional cooperation and inter-governmental disaster response coordination. Simulated situations in locations prone to building collapse and flood operations were also part of the exercise.

The exercise served to improve the search and rescue teams' ability to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies.

BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise DMEx-2020

From the 11th to the 13th of February 2020, the 2nd Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Disaster Management Exercise was held in Odisha. Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, launched the Disaster Management Exercise.

The BIMSTEC DMEX 2020 Exercise was coordinated by the agency for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). A heliborne rescue operation was carried out to show how multiple parties may work together to cope with an emergency circumstance. Relief efforts such as providing medical care to the poor, distributing food packets, and so on were also displayed in a highly organized and professional manner at the same time.

For this exercise, the NDRF created a Communication Center, an Emergency Operation Center (EOC), a Base of Operation, a Medical Camp, a Facilitation Center, and a Media Enclave, among other things, following the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) rules.

During the practice, an outstanding display of various flood rescue tactics and the usage of various makeshift rafts created from locally available resources for flood crisis evacuation were also exhibited.

BIMSTEC Humanitarian Assistance And Disaster Relief Exercise PANEx-2021

On 7 December 2021, a curtain-raiser event for the BIMSTEC member states' Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise, PANEx-21, was conducted at Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.

Subject matter experts and delegates from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand participated in the exercise, which took place in Pune from December 20 to 22.

In the dignified presence of numerous important civilian and military visitors, Mr Ajay Bhatt, Hon'ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, presided over the occasion. During the ceremony, Mr Ajay Bhatt released a poster honouring the upcoming Exercise.

From the 20th to the 22nd of December, a seminar, tabletop exercises, and a multi-agency exercise were held in Pune.

The BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise intends to strengthen multi-agency coordination and cooperation in the event of an earthquake, floods, or storm surge. During a crisis scenario, the exercise will also test multi-stakeholder cooperation, which will include international, national, state, district, and local entities.

FAQs on BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise

Q.1. What were the key exercises of the first BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017)?

Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX), and After Action Review (AAR) were the key exercises of the first BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise BIMSTEC (DMEx-2017).

Q.2. How many members attended the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017)?

Around 135 participants from all BIMSTEC Member States attended the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017).

Q.3. Where was the second BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020) held?

The second BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020) was held in Odisha.

Q.4. Where was the third BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC PANEx-21) held?

The third BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (BIMSTEC PANEx-21) was held in Pune.