SEGAMAT: The government will launch a series of community-based disaster simulation exercises nationwide starting this October to strengthen disaster preparedness, following a series of earthquakes that recently struck the district.

National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah (pic) said the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG), Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), Public Works Department (JKR), Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), as well as disaster management committees at the state and district levels.

"In line with the Sendai Framework, we will conduct tabletop exercises (TTX) and full-scale simulations under the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) programme, involving all levels of society," he said when met by reporters after the Earthquake Disaster Risk Management Programme at the Segamat Multipurpose Hall on Wednesday (Sept 3).

He added that the exercises will be carried out based on the suitability of each location - whether at the district, parliamentary constituency, or village level - and will involve local communities, including schools, community leaders, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"The programme was implemented in Sabah last year and proved to be highly effective. Just moments after the training session, a real incident occurred in Sabah, and the communities involved demonstrated that they were well-prepared," he said.

Meanwhile, he announced that October will be designated as National Preparedness Month. Previously focused on floods, it will now be expanded to include earthquake and landslide scenarios.

He said the simulations will cover various disaster scenarios to ensure that all parties know exactly what to do when an emergency occurs.

The training will be carried out continuously, not only in Johor but across the country, to ensure the level of preparedness remains at its best, he added. - Bernama