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12 December 2025
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South Africa hosts AEME Earthquake Response Exercise 2025
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From 1 to 5 December 2025, South Africa hosted one of the most ambitious disaster-preparedness events on the African continent — the Africa, Europe and Middle East (AEME) Earthquake Response Exercise (ERE) 2025. Organised by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), this multi-day simulation marked a major milestone in regional and international emergency response cooperation.
A First for Africa — Regional and global collaboration
The AEME Earthquake Response Exercise brought together disaster managers, responders, and humanitarian partners from across the Africa, Europe and Middle East region. Hosted at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, the exercise was the first of its kind on the African continent, underscoring South Africa’s growing role as a continental hub for emergency response and preparedness.
The exercise is part of the global programme of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), which operates under the framework of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/150. INSARAG exercises are designed to strengthen international cooperation and coordination for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and complex disaster response operations.
Objectives: Preparedness, coordination and response
The core goal of the AEME ERE was to test and enhance disaster response systems across multiple levels — national, provincial, municipal and international, particularly for large-scale earthquakes and associated cascading hazards. Scenarios included not only structural collapse but also flooding, hazardous material incidents, disruptions to essential services, and massive humanitarian needs.
Key objectives included:
The AEME ERE drew a diverse group of participants, from government disaster management centres to international response teams. Delegations included representatives from Russia, United Arab Emirates, Iceland, Estonia, Poland, Kenya, Malaysia and United Kingdom.
Alongside these international participants were national disaster management officials, provincial and municipal responders, fire services, police, emergency medical services, defence forces, and humanitarian NGOs. These multi-sectoral collaborations reflect a shared understanding that earthquake response requires integrated multi-agency action — from frontline rescue operations to medical assistance and coordination of relief efforts.
Leadership and strategic messaging
At the official opening, Director-General Mbulelo Tshangana emphasised that disasters “know no borders” and that effective planning and partnerships are critical to saving lives and protecting communities. He highlighted that disasters are becoming more frequent and complex due to climate change, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and rapid urbanisation — making preparedness indispensable.
Similarly, at the closing of the exercise, Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe called for clear legislation and strengthened disaster-response systems to ensure fast, coordinated responses in real crises. He underscored that no country can face disasters alone and that global partnerships and shared readiness are essential.
Practical components of the exercise
Throughout the week, participating teams engaged in several key activities:
These activities not only tested existing systems but offered a platform for peer learning, capacity building, and exchange of best practices among highly experienced international teams and South African responders.
Significance and legacy
The AEME Earthquake Response Exercise 2025 stands out not only for its scale and international reach but for its strategic importance in strengthening disaster readiness across regions. By hosting this landmark event, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to:
As disasters grow in frequency and complexity around the world, exercises like the AEME ERE serve as critical platforms for governments and partners to learn, adapt and prepare together because when calamities strike, preparedness can be the difference between life and death.
Sources: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Cogta Eastern Cape, South African Government News Agency, SABC News
Quote of the week
“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration.” ~ Robin S Sharma, leadership expert and author
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
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Read the latest FRI magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-8-no-3.html
Read the latest Disaster Management Journal: https://www.frimedia.org/dmj-vol-7-no-1.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
DMJ magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/dmj-magazine.html
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Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
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A First for Africa — Regional and global collaboration
The AEME Earthquake Response Exercise brought together disaster managers, responders, and humanitarian partners from across the Africa, Europe and Middle East region. Hosted at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, the exercise was the first of its kind on the African continent, underscoring South Africa’s growing role as a continental hub for emergency response and preparedness.
The exercise is part of the global programme of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), which operates under the framework of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/150. INSARAG exercises are designed to strengthen international cooperation and coordination for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and complex disaster response operations.
Objectives: Preparedness, coordination and response
The core goal of the AEME ERE was to test and enhance disaster response systems across multiple levels — national, provincial, municipal and international, particularly for large-scale earthquakes and associated cascading hazards. Scenarios included not only structural collapse but also flooding, hazardous material incidents, disruptions to essential services, and massive humanitarian needs.
Key objectives included:
- Evaluating and improving emergency coordination among government entities, emergency services, and humanitarian actors.
- Testing interoperability between South African and international teams, including INSARAG USAR units, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) and United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) experts.
- Validating national frameworks and protocols for disaster response and international support.
- Developing a common operational picture to guide large-scale disaster operations.
- Building practical skills through simulations, workshops, tabletop exercises and field drills.
The AEME ERE drew a diverse group of participants, from government disaster management centres to international response teams. Delegations included representatives from Russia, United Arab Emirates, Iceland, Estonia, Poland, Kenya, Malaysia and United Kingdom.
Alongside these international participants were national disaster management officials, provincial and municipal responders, fire services, police, emergency medical services, defence forces, and humanitarian NGOs. These multi-sectoral collaborations reflect a shared understanding that earthquake response requires integrated multi-agency action — from frontline rescue operations to medical assistance and coordination of relief efforts.
Leadership and strategic messaging
At the official opening, Director-General Mbulelo Tshangana emphasised that disasters “know no borders” and that effective planning and partnerships are critical to saving lives and protecting communities. He highlighted that disasters are becoming more frequent and complex due to climate change, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and rapid urbanisation — making preparedness indispensable.
Similarly, at the closing of the exercise, Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe called for clear legislation and strengthened disaster-response systems to ensure fast, coordinated responses in real crises. He underscored that no country can face disasters alone and that global partnerships and shared readiness are essential.
Practical components of the exercise
Throughout the week, participating teams engaged in several key activities:
- Scenario-based field simulations replicating earthquake aftermath conditions.
- Tabletop exercises that tested inter-agency communication and strategic decision-making.
- Workshops and training modules focusing on coordination, rescue operations, shelter management, and relief logistics.
- Development of a unified common operating picture, enabling all actors to work from the same situational understanding.
These activities not only tested existing systems but offered a platform for peer learning, capacity building, and exchange of best practices among highly experienced international teams and South African responders.
Significance and legacy
The AEME Earthquake Response Exercise 2025 stands out not only for its scale and international reach but for its strategic importance in strengthening disaster readiness across regions. By hosting this landmark event, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to:
- Enhancing national and regional response capabilities
- Deepening cooperation with global humanitarian frameworks
- Positioning itself as a leader in disaster management education and practice
- Investing in resilience that transcends borders and sectors
As disasters grow in frequency and complexity around the world, exercises like the AEME ERE serve as critical platforms for governments and partners to learn, adapt and prepare together because when calamities strike, preparedness can be the difference between life and death.
Sources: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Cogta Eastern Cape, South African Government News Agency, SABC News
Quote of the week
“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration.” ~ Robin S Sharma, leadership expert and author
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
Read it, use it and share it!
Read the latest FRI magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-8-no-3.html
Read the latest Disaster Management Journal: https://www.frimedia.org/dmj-vol-7-no-1.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
DMJ magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/dmj-magazine.html
Enjoy the read!
Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
Tel: 011 452 3135 or Email: [email protected]
Websites
www.fireandrescue.co
www.frimedia.org
www.facebook.com/FireandRescueInternational
www.twitter.com/FRI_magazine
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-raath-brownie-16668065/
