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7 August 2026
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UJ's Connor Hartnady participates in SADC regional cyclone and flood response simulation exercise in Mozambique
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The Faculty of Health Sciences is proud to have Connor Hartnady University of Johannesburg (UJ) Rescue Centre Manager selected to participate as a member and in his capacity as director of Rescue South Africa at the the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Cyclone and Flood Response Simulation Exercise (SIMEX), in Nacala, Mozambique from 27 to 31 July 2026. The exercise formed part of the SADC Disaster Risk Management Strengthening Project and brought together disaster management authorities, humanitarian organisations, emergency responders and technical specialists from across Southern Africa and the wider international community to strengthen regional preparedness for and response to, large-scale cyclone and flood disasters.
The five day engagement tested the effectiveness of regional early warning systems, emergency coordination mechanisms, rapid deployment procedures and multi-agency interoperability. It simulated the response to a devastating cyclone affecting multiple SADC Member States, requiring coordinated action among national governments, the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), international humanitarian organisations, search-and-rescue teams, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), and other specialist response agencies.
As climate-related disasters continue to increase in both frequency and severity across Southern Africa, initiatives such as the SADC Regional SIMEX play a critical role in improving preparedness, strengthening cross-border collaboration and enhancing collective response capabilities.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Hartnady said: "Exercises such as the SADC SIMEX provide an invaluable opportunity for emergency response agencies to evaluate coordination, interoperability and operational readiness before real disasters occur. Having participated in numerous flood responses across Southern Africa, I look forward to sharing practical search-and-rescue lessons from these operations while learning from other experts across the region. It is a privilege to represent both Rescue South Africa and University of Johannesburg as we work together to strengthen regional disaster response capabilities."
Source: UJ Health and Medical Professions
The five day engagement tested the effectiveness of regional early warning systems, emergency coordination mechanisms, rapid deployment procedures and multi-agency interoperability. It simulated the response to a devastating cyclone affecting multiple SADC Member States, requiring coordinated action among national governments, the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), international humanitarian organisations, search-and-rescue teams, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), and other specialist response agencies.
As climate-related disasters continue to increase in both frequency and severity across Southern Africa, initiatives such as the SADC Regional SIMEX play a critical role in improving preparedness, strengthening cross-border collaboration and enhancing collective response capabilities.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Hartnady said: "Exercises such as the SADC SIMEX provide an invaluable opportunity for emergency response agencies to evaluate coordination, interoperability and operational readiness before real disasters occur. Having participated in numerous flood responses across Southern Africa, I look forward to sharing practical search-and-rescue lessons from these operations while learning from other experts across the region. It is a privilege to represent both Rescue South Africa and University of Johannesburg as we work together to strengthen regional disaster response capabilities."
Source: UJ Health and Medical Professions
