New York City: Japan and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a rescue drill in Thailand: Japan's public broadcaster NAK reported that the exercise was to prepare for floods and other major disasters, with more than 300 participants. A temporary hospital was set up in the event that the Chao Phraya River overflowed. Medical personnel practiced prioritizing emergency treatment and evacuating outpatients via air transport using military helicopters. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said that regular exercises will improve disaster medical care in participating countries and enhance cooperation and information exchange between medical teams from each country.
According to Thai News Agency, the drill's focus was on strengthening the region's capability to respond to natural disasters effectively. It highlighted the importance of collaboration between Japan and ASEAN countries to mitigate the impact of emergencies. The exercise aimed to ensure that medical teams are well-prepared to handle real-life disaster scenarios, thereby minimizing potential losses and enhancing the resilience of affected communities.