During day 7 of Qatar Red Crescent Society's (QRCS) 10th Disaster Management Camp (DMC-10), a full-size disaster simulation scenario was conducted for all teams, with support from the competent authorities.
Performed by a total of 215 volunteers who acted the role of refugees, the four-hour scenario was attended by Eng. Ibrahim bin Hashem Al-Sada, Managing Director – Secretary-General of QRCS, Abdullah Hamed Al-Mulla, board member, Mohamed Bader Al-Sada, Assistant Secretary-General for Relief and International Development and DMC-10 Chairman, and representatives of the Ministries of Defense (MOD), Interior (MOI), and Public Health (MOPH).
Upon breaking news that a refugee boat arrived at the country's seashore in an uninhabited area, the Emergency Operations Room was activated to deal with the incident and coordinate with the relevant government organizations regarding situation analysis and humanitarian intervention.
First, Coast Guard vessels and jet skis came to rescue the boat passengers. A Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) helicopter arrived to airlift a critically injured passenger to hospital for urgent medical care.
Once the refugees came ashore, there showed up Al-Fazaa, Lekhwiya, and General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security's search and rescue vehicles.
QRCS's ambulances were summoned, together with Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) ambulances and LifeFlight helicopter. The first responders transported injured people to the field hospital, already deployed with all equipment and supplies.
QRCS's response teams began carrying out their respective roles, following the applicable procedures in such a situation.
The engaged teams included field assessment and coordination, psychosocial support (PSS), restoring family links (RFL), shelter, water and sanitation (WATSAN), media, and food distribution.
Another refugee influx came afoot from the mountains. It was reported to the Operations Room, which coordinated with relief teams to deal with the changing situation.
When third wave of refugees arrived at the site, some of them were found to be suffering from a contagious disease. The health team immediately considered the new challenge to address it effectively. Then, a quarantine center was created to isolate confirmed and suspected cases.
As everyone was busy dealing with a sudden sandstorm, some vandals set fire to the mosque tent inside the makeshift camp. The Civil Defense firefighters acted swiftly, to control the fire and evacuate victims of smoke inhalation. The health team provided necessary first aid, while other humanitarians calmed the relatives who rushed to save their loved ones.