NCSCM briefs PM on Jordan earthquake preparedness measures

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, who is also chairman of the board of directors of the National Centre for Security and Crises Management (NCSCM), on Sunday was briefed on the comprehensive earthquake response and risk reduction national plan.

Khasawneh was acquainted with the centre's upcoming national exercise, to take place in the second half of September, to assess the preparedness of both public and private institutions to establish a national earthquake response strategy.

Deputy Head of the NCSCM Brigadier General Hatem Al Zou’bi emphasised that the plan's main objective is to synchronise national efforts, ensuring an effective response to earthquakes.

He added that the plan also aims to facilitate the development of specific implementation strategies for relevant institutions and departments to help them handle the effects of earthquakes and it calls for nationwide awareness campaigns for earthquake risks and effective response. 

The plan also prioritises establishing resilient infrastructure capable of offering essential services to citizens during and after earthquakes.

The plan also includes measures to minimise the impact of earthquakes by revising and enforcing building standards and regulations for structures under construction. 

It also includes strengthens existing structures and establishes earthquake resilience measures. 

In addition, the plan includes the creation and updating of comprehensive databases and national platforms that significantly improve the efficiency of crisis management.

The NCSCM is set to conduct a comprehensive nationwide exercise in the latter part of September. The exercise will simulate earthquake scenarios in different regions of the Kingdom to assess preparedness and identify strengths and areas for improvement, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.