On 28 February 2024, students from the Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM) Program of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) attended the Cobra Gold 2024 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Demonstrations held at the Disaster Relief Training Center, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. Cobra Gold is a multinational activity co-hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM). Now in its 43rd year, representatives from various countries participated in rescue exercises and disaster relief training activities over a three-day period.
The students were given the opportunity to observe the activities of an Incident Command System (ICS), a management system often used in natural and man-made disasters to organize, manage, and set in place coordination and communication among organizations on the scene. The trip accorded the students a glimpse of the fast-paced planning and coordination during disaster relief operations, as they witnessed the simulation of simultaneous activities and functions of various groups in a disaster scenario. Another highlight of the trip was the exhibit of products and equipment by local and international companies used during disasters and emergency situations. The students were able to appreciate the innovations and technological advancements that contribute to disaster management.