On Friday, May 19, 2023, the Simulation Exercises Unit (SIMEX) of the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP - Haiti), through the Strengthening of capacities for risk prevention (CREWS-Haiti), is organizing a simulation exercise with the aim of testing the response capacity of municipal institutions in the face of an earthquake followed by a tsunami and evaluating the skills of the emergency services. 6 sites are concerned: Artibonite, Gonaïves, Gros Morne, Anse-Rouge, Terre-Neuve, l’Arbre and Sources Chaudes

This simulation exercise will involve rescue teams, firefighters, law enforcement and other local rescue services at the relevant sites.

The scenario of the exercise foresees a major earthquake, recorded in the North of the island of Haiti, on the North Hispaniola fault, of a magnitude 8.7 on the Richter scale which will cause a red tsunami alert in particular for Haiti. Note that this scenario reflects the reality of the earthquake followed by a tsunami of May 7, 1842 and that of August 21, 2021.

In terms of expected results, relief teams must demonstrate their ability to work together to assess the damage, search for survivors and provide emergency medical assistance to those affected. This exercise will also identify the strengths and weaknesses of the civil protection response and improve plans and procedures to better prepare the population to deal with such events.

We encourage the population to familiarize themselves with this simulation exercise in order to better prepare themselves in the face of seismic and tsunami risk. We remind you of the importance of having an emergency kit, knowing the evacuation plans and following the instructions of the authorities in the event of a natural disaster.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39524-haiti-cap-haitien-earthquake-tsunami-simulation-exercise-simex.html

IH/ iciHaiti