Preparing for a high magnitude earthquake in the South of Peru: Lessons from a simulation exercise
What would happen if Peru suffered a high-magnitude earthquake? That is the question that a Simulation Exercise ("SimEx") aimed to address on November 6 and 7, focusing specifically on the South of the country.
The National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI, based on its name in Spanish) organized a SimEx to address such a scenario and see how best different stakeholders could work together to support the affected population. The event took place at the National Emergency Center (COEN).
In its design, the SimEx incorporated the participation of public and private sectors as well as the national humanitarian network. The objective was to practice the different response protocols and better understand how coordination between sectors and the command center might take place, as well as identify challenges and areas for improvement. Ultimately, the intention was to understand how resources would be managed and distributed to those in need.
Hombro a Hombro coordinated the participation of business in this SimEx, which amounted to 20 representatives from across sectors, including: banking, consumer goods, hostels, communication, heavy machinery, water, shopping centers, logistics, and gas in addition to members of the Hombro a Hombro secretariat.
Hombro a Hombro brought together a group of 20 participants, representing nine business sectors and the organization's secretariat, to partake in the recent high-magnitude earthquake simulation exercise organized by the National Civil Defense Institute. Photo: Hombro a Hombro
Lessons learned & next steps
During the SimEx, the private sector responded to the request for support by INDECI by providing food and beverages to affected populations as well as offering storage and transportation solutions.
"It was clear that not everyone was familiar with the correct way to contact the private sector or present them with an ask for support," explains Jaime Chavez, Hombro a Hombro's Head of Operations. "However, raising awareness around such issues is one of the added values of organizing such an event, and it's why we try to always participate and include member companies in the exercise. The only way we can improve is by practicing, together."
"It was clear that not everyone was familiar with the correct way to contact the private sector or present them with an ask for support. However, raising awareness around such issues is one of the added values of organizing such an event, and it's why we try to always participate and include member companies in the exercise. The only way we can improve is by practicing, together." - Jaime Chavez, Hombro a Hombro's Head of Operations
This was the third SimEx organized, and significant progress has been made in coordination and processes overall, but technological advances require further adaptation, to ensure that protocols stay current and processes are as optimal and efficient as possible. From the Hombro a Hombro perspective, the aim is to increase the representation of different business sectors in future exercises as a way to ensure their engagement in and commitment to disaster preparedness and response.