Field Exercise in Al-Qaa Tests Emergency Plan and Enhances Security Coordination

The town of Al-Qaa tested its readiness to face crises and disasters through a field exercise that involved State Security personnel, Civil Defense, and the Lebanese Red Cross, alongside young men and women from the town. The aim was to test the emergency response plan and enhance coordination between relevant agencies and volunteers to ensure rapid intervention and protect lives and property.

The exercise was conducted within the framework of an initiative aimed at transforming the crisis response plan from the planning stage into practical application, and strengthening the local community's capacity to face risks.

Al-Qaa Municipality President, Lawyer Bashir Matar, affirmed that preparing for crises is a collective responsibility that does not rest solely with the state and official agencies, but includes all members of society, especially youth. He stressed the importance of leveraging the town's past experiences to enhance its resilience and plan for its future.

For his part, Dr. Fadi Abi Allam, head of the Permanent Peace Movement, indicated that the exercise crowns a path of collective work to prepare an integrated plan that includes early warning, risk identification, evacuation routes, shelter centers, and the distribution of responsibilities among the municipality, security agencies, specialized teams, and volunteers. He confirmed that the plan will remain under monitoring and development, which enhances prevention and protects civil peace.

The initiative falls under a program implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the European Union, in partnership with the Permanent Peace Movement, and in cooperation with Al-Qaa Municipality, the Reading and Cultural Activation Center, and the Local Development Committee.

The activity concluded with the execution of the field exercise, followed by the distribution of honorary shields to heads of security agencies, in appreciation of their participation and efforts in enhancing the town's readiness to face crises and emergencies.