The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, known as AJHE, has evolved into a multi-agency collaborative effort since its inception in 2015. This year’s edition, AJHE-23, hosted by the Indian Navy in Goa from October 9 to 11, 2023, brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including all three Services, Paramilitary Forces, disaster response organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and international organizations.
The AJHE exercise series was initiated in response to a directive from the Hon’ble Prime Minister, stemming from the Combined Commanders’ Conference in 2015. Over the years, it has become a platform for developing collective and coordinated response mechanisms to address humanitarian crises and natural disasters, aligning with India’s vision for the oceans – SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).
In the face of increasing vulnerability to natural disasters in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) due to climate change, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations have become a cornerstone of the Indian Navy’s commitment to the region’s well-being. The limited capacity of littoral IOR states to tackle this growing threat has necessitated the Indian Armed Forces’ role as the ‘First Responder’ in the region, providing assistance to neighboring countries in times of crisis.
AJHE-23 spans three days and includes a seminar, a Table-Top Exercise, and a Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration. It brings together a wide array of national agencies, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM), Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), National Remote Sensing Agencies (NRSA), and many others.
The seminar scheduled for October 9, 2023, will focus on pressing topics such as Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction, Collaborative Disaster Response in the Indian Ocean Region, and NGO Collaboration in Disaster Reduction and Response. Subject Matter Experts will lead discussions and share practical solutions in these areas.
An industrial display is planned for October 10 and 11, showcasing various HADR equipment and capabilities by organizations such as FICCI, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NDRF, SDMA, and NSRC. Additionally, on October 11, a Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration will be conducted, featuring rescue and relief drills to emphasize key lessons and nuances in disaster response.
The logo for this year’s exercise symbolizes unity and collaboration, with crests and flags of participating agencies and nations merging into a single entity. It underscores the importance of joint and integrated action in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. AJHE-23 aims to strengthen the preparedness and response capabilities of all stakeholders involved, contributing to a more resilient and coordinated approach to disaster management in the Indian Ocean Region.
