Forces meet, join heads

 AN exercise on procedures for conducting relief and humanitarian assistance missions during a crisis ended successfully on Friday.

Exercise Long Reach was jointly hosted by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The two defence forces worked together to develop contingency plans as a proactive tool for use when disaster strikes.

International mentors from Japan, New Zealand and the United States were joined by the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations Office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Representatives from PNG National Disaster Centre, National Maritime Safety Authority, Education, Works and Health Department, and civil societies, including Red Cross, World Vision and the churches, participated in the exercise and demonstrated how multiple agencies could cooperate closely and effectively in a coordinated disaster response effort.

Participants presented the outcomes of their planning activities on Friday, after they analysed different disaster scenarios including earth quakes and tsunamis while considering PNG located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and its vulnerability to severe weather.

“It was impressive to see groups come together and produce very solid and robust plans that the government could use in response to future emergencies,” facilitator ADF major Paul Bogue said

“The combined capabilities of this group would be of great benefit to the people of Papua New Guinea in times of disaster.”

The exercise is conducted biannually and promotes closer ties between the participating organisations.