Armenian Search and Rescue Team Prepares for UN INSARAG Reaccreditation with Swiss Experts
Armenia’s national search and rescue team conducted intensive training drills in the city of Gyumri to prepare for its upcoming international reaccreditation. The exercises, held from August 10 to 13, were supported by Swiss emergency response specialists.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, the national search and rescue team is actively preparing for its international reaccreditation under INSARAG (the UN's International Search and Rescue Advisory Group), scheduled for 2028. To ensure the highest level of readiness, comprehensive 36-hour training exercises were organized in the city of Gyumri from August 10 to 13, featuring the direct involvement of expert mentors from Switzerland.
Goals and Execution of the Drills
Aram Ghazaryan, Acting Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Director of the Armenian Rescue Service, welcomed the participants and highlighted the critical importance of the joint event. He noted that the drills provide an exceptional opportunity for the Armenian team to enhance their expertise, adopt international best practices, and refine their operational protocols for various emergency scenarios. The feedback and recommendations provided by the Swiss mentors will be instrumental in preparing for the rigorous reaccreditation process.
The Role of Swiss Specialists
David Sochor, head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Rapid Response Team, stated that 9 highly trained specialists from Switzerland traveled to Armenia to support the local team across key operational areas, including incident management, medical response, logistics, and active search and rescue techniques.
"During these exercises, we want to understand the team's level of readiness, assess strengths, and identify tasks for the next 2 years," said Sochor.
Summary and Next Steps
Following the conclusion of the event, Aram Ghazaryan, members of the Armenian response team, and the Swiss mentors convened to evaluate the outcomes and outline a clear roadmap to ensure full compliance with global rescue standards.
- The team's operational strengths and current logistical challenges were thoroughly discussed.
- Overall readiness was tested under highly realistic, simulated disaster conditions.
- The evaluation results will serve as a foundational baseline for further capacity building and training.
This article was generated automatically using AI based on reporting from established news sources. All sources are listed below.
The essentials, no spam.
