Australia, Indonesia strengthen disaster response capabilities

Australia and Indonesia will deepen their humanitarian and disaster response cooperation this October through Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AusIndo. This multinational training exercise aims to enhance regional preparedness and resilience in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AusIndo brings together military and civilian emergency management agencies from both countries, along with international partners, including Timor-Leste and the United States. The Exercise will be conducted in two phases; an academic and tabletop activity in Jakarta, followed by a field training exercise in Bayah, located in Banten Province of Southern Java. Approximately forty Australian Defence Force personnel will participate in the Exercise. These include construction engineers, water purification experts, health and logistics specialists, and civil-military affairs officers. Civilian agencies, including Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency Badan Nasional Pencarian Dan Pertolongan, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Civil-Military Centre and Disaster Assistance Response Team are also taking part. Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said “This Exercise is a testament to the strength of our regional partnerships and our shared commitment to humanitarian assistance. Working alongside our Indonesian and international colleagues ensures we are better prepared to respond to crises across the Indo-Pacific. Our teams are learning from each other and strengthening the bonds that underpin regional stability.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]