Skopje, 18 October 2023 (MIA) - Red Cross conducted “Humanitarian Response 2023” simulation exercise for first aid in an earthquake on Wednesday in the Skopje City Park.

The purpose of the exercise is to present the capacities, possibilities and readiness of the Red Cross of North Macedonia.

President Stevo Pendarovski addressing the event said that this exercise demonstrated all the positive sides of the partnership between state institutions and civil society organizations, as well as the intersectoral connection and inter-institutional cooperation.

“It is events as this one today that give a chance to improve coordination and communication as key aspects in the crisis management system,” Pendarovski said.

He underscored that it is necessary to work and contribute to the readiness of institutions and civil society organisations such as the Red Cross, so that we have a quick and appropriate response in emergency and crisis situations.

“International cooperation, support, mainly from our allies, partners and neighbours, is no less important for a quality response to crisis situations. All this gives additional security to our citizens and confidence that in case of need, international solidarity will not be missing in action” Pendarovski said.

Secretary-General of the Red Cross of North Macedonia Sait Saiti pointed out that the crises and disasters that are part of our everyday life, in the region and beyond, require constant investing in preparedness capacities.

“Earthquakes, fires, floods, epidemics, migrations, refugees, as well as other humanitarian challenges require us to make a joint contribution to building sustainable capacities for preparedness, effective response and recovery from disasters with the primary aim of providing support to the affected population during disasters or humanitarian crises,” Saiti said.

He also underlined that they can provide each other with complementary support that can directly or indirectly have a positive impact on people's well-being, especially when major disasters occur.

Participants in the exercise included the Red Cross of North Macedonia, the Crisis Management Center, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Protection and Rescue Directorate, the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, emergency medical assistance.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Macedonian Radio Television, the Fire Territorial Unit, the Chamber of Psychologists, the Food and Veterinary Agency, the Red Cross of the City of Skopje were participating in the exercise.

Moreover, municipal organizations of the Red Cross, teams of national societies from the region (Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro and Germany), representatives from universities in North Macedonia, independent experts from the area and various bodies from the Crisis Management System at the local and regional level also took part in the exercise.

Photo: MIA