National response 2019

As part of the national crisis and disaster management system, the Red Cross participated in the “National Response 2019” exercise organized by the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia in the period of 16-19 September 2019.

On September 19, 2019, the ceremony organized on the occasion of the event, was attended by the Secretary General of the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia, PhD. Sait Saiti. The main purpose of the event was to present the objectives of the exercise implemented in the period of these three days, as well as the impressions of the joint functioning of the institutions, responsible for coping with natural disasters.

In front of the esteemed participants, the entire three-day exercise was presented through a 40-minute simulation of the necessary evacuation procedures for flood-stricken population downstream of the Bregalnica River. The Red Cross team of 25 volunteers established 3 centers on the ground: triage, distribution and accommodation, and the ‘Restoring Family Links’ point. Three off-road and one Red Cross ambulance were used to cope more effectively with the consequences of the disaster.

The first aid team was providing field support during the exercise, working with all institutions to ensure smooth functioning of the crisis and disaster protection system. Some of the stakeholders in this system as part of the exercise were: Army and Chiefs of Staff, Red Cross, Stip Municipal Headquarters for Protection and Rescue along with public local companies and fire brigade, Ministries of Defense, Interior, Health and Agriculture, Directorate for Protection and Rescue and Crisis Management Center.