The Center participated in the MapAction annual simulation exercise
Within the period from 7 to 9 June 2024 the CESDRR senior expert Mr. B. Ospanov took part in the annual simulation exercise MapEx in Sheffield city (UK), organized by the nongovernmental British organization MapAction.
The Center and MapAction have been cooperating since 2018 in the field of strengthening the capacity of emergency services of Central Asian countries on the use of modern GIS technologies in emergencies. In total, from 2018 to 2023, 15 training courses were conducted and more than 300 officers of National Disaster Management Agencies of CA countries were trained.
More than 100 MapAction volunteers and partner representatives from various international organizations participated in the MapEx exercise. MapAction's annual exercises help prepare teams to effectively respond to real emergencies, increase the level of cooperation and cohesion, and allow them to practice the use of modern mapping technologies in near real-world conditions.
On the margins of the exercise, the Center's Senior Expert Ospanov B.M. held a working meeting with MapAction CEO Mr. Colin Rogers and MapAction Director for Programs and Partnerships Ms. Marina Kobzeva. The Center's officer informed Mr. Rogers about the successful implementation of the Roadmap for the Strategy for the Development of Cooperation of Central Asian Countries in Disaster Risk Reduction for 2023-2024 and thanked MapAction for its assistance in the implementation of the Roadmap. In addition, Mr. Ospanov B.M. reported on the preparation of the draft Roadmap for 2025-2026, which includes two activities planned to be implemented jointly with MapAction.
In turn, MapAction Executive Director expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation with the Center not only in the field of strengthening the capacity of emergency response services of CA countries, but also in the application of modern information and communication technologies, including interest in involvement in the implementation of the initiative to create a regional atlas of transboundary hazards of CA countries.
