A seven degrees magnitude earthquake hit the Lebanese coast causing serious damages in the crowded residential area. A mobile operation room for crisis management was activated close to the damaged areas, and the Mount Lebanon response plan was put into action in order to conduct and coordinate evacuation, extinguishing fires, and search and rescue actions.
On Saturday 19 November 2016, for the third time in a row the UNDP Disaster Risk Management Project at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, organized the annual national field simulation in the framework of the National Response Plan based on an earthquake scenario. This year's simulation was implemented in collaboration with the Governorate of Mount Lebanon and the Higher Defense Council.
The simulation, which took place in the region of Safra – Keserwan, aimed to "test the response plan of Mount Lebanon Governorate in addition to putting into action the Mobile Operation Vehicle, which is activated onsite and involves all field responders" Major General Muhammed Kheir, Secretary General of the Higher Council of Defense and Chairperson of the National Disaster and Crisis Response Committee, said at the opening ceremony. General Kheir explained that these exercises were essential in order to update the National Response Plan and to enhance coordination between all concerned agencies.
In fact, for the first time in Lebanon a field operation room, was operating onsite, regrouping representatives of several field response agencies in the aim of improving communication, enhancing coordination, and enabling decision makers to have a clear assessment of the situation on the ground.
Several response agencies participated in the field exercise among them the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Internal Security Forces, the National Security, the Civil Defense, and the Lebanese Red Cross.
Major General Muhammed Kheir inaugurated the event by thanking all the agencies that participated in the exercise, for their efforts and their commitment, reiterating the Lebanese government's commitment to enhance Lebanon's capacities in preparing to disasters.
The Swiss Ambassador Mr. Francois Barras, who participated in the event, reiterated his country's commitment in helping Lebanon build its capacities in disaster risk management and emphasized on the importance of prevention and preparedness as key for an effective disaster management strategy.
From his part Mr. Luca Renda, UNDP Country Director, described the simulation as a way "to enhance knowledge of plans, allow members to improve their own performance, and identify opportunities to strengthen the capabilities to respond to hazards and risks." He added "today's exercise is one of a series of both field and table top trainings that have been conducted throughout the year at different sectors and governorates."
On behalf of UNDP he congratulated organizers, and participants for their serious efforts and engagement. He added "the importance of this simulation lies in the lessons learned and the integration of the results in future planning. Any mistakes made today are valuable assets that will prevent us from making fatal mistakes if, God forbid, Lebanon might face real disasters." Mr. Renda saluted the efforts of the Lebanese government in achieving several milestones to make Lebanon more resilient to disaster risk.
Finally, Mr. Fouad Fleifel, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Governor of Mount Lebanon, said that "strengthening disaster risk management capacities for Lebanon" project is among the priorities of the Lebanese government. He thanked the UNDP for their support in making Lebanon more resilient to disaster risk. He also thanked Germany, Netherlands, SDC, the European Union, and the government of Kuwait for their generous support to the DRM project.