Asian Disaster Preparedness Center completed a table-top and field-based simulation exercise for the Saudi Humanitarian Emergency Aid and Response Team (Saudi HEART) on 24–27 May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The simulation tested the Saudi HEART team in basic health care (BHC), water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), SHELTER, search and rescue, and overall coordination in a response setting.

“The simulation served as an opportunity for the participants in the Saudi HEART capacity-building program to test and exercise the skills learned during seven months of an intensive full-time program with core and elective subjects related to disaster management, managed by ADPC,” said Mr. Shane Wright, Executive Director of ADPC who observed the simulation.


Participants of the Saudi HEART program at the simulation exercise on emergency response.

ADPC together with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority organized the live exercise in a desert location 100 kilometers from Riyadh. The simulation included a demonstration of K9 search and rescue with canines from the Swiss Disaster Dog Association as well as air ambulance helicopters. Live actors served as victims and Simulaids rescue manikins were used to mimic wounds.

Saudi Red Crescent Authority with support from ADPC builds the capacity of Saudi HEART to provide emergency response to disasters in Saudi Arabia as well as assist in international disaster humanitarian response.



The simulation included a demonstration of K9 search and rescue with canines from the Swiss Disaster Dog Association.


An air ambulance helicopter at the site of the simulation exercise.


The simulation tested the Saudi HEART team in basic health care, water sanitation and hygiene, SHELTER, search and rescue,
and overall coordination in a response setting.