NDMA hosts 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (DMEx) Virtually

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India recently hosted the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (DMEx).  The exercise was a tabletop exercise in which disaster management professionals from the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)  countries—India, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka — participated virtually.

Focus of the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise 

The focus of the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise was on assessing and enhancing preparedness for cyclones and floods, common in the Bay of Bengal region.

The participating countries shared their best practices in disaster management architectures. They participated in various simulated disaster scenarios involving cyclones and floods, tested their responses in such scenarios, and discussed ways to strengthen regional coordination in dealing with such disasters.

History of BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise

All the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercises have been hosted by NDRA and held in India.

• The first was held in New Delhi in November 2017.
• The second was held in Puri, Odisha, in November 2019.
• The third was held in Pune, Maharashtra, in December 2021.

First Phase of  BIMSTEC Cancer Care Capacity-building Program

The first phase of the BIMSTEC Cancer Care Capacity-building Program was held at theTata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

It was jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Atomic Energy.

The BIMSTEC Cancer Care Capacity-building Program is part of the 21-point Action Plan for BIMSTEC cooperation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in April 2025.

Twenty-one participants from BIMSTEC countries were trained in a 4-week program in Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology. 

About National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

It is a statutory body established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Established - 23 December 2005

It is under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Chairman of NDMA- Prime Minister of India.

Function 

It is the apex body for Disaster Management in India.

It lays down the policy, guidelines, and plan for Disaster Management in the country.

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