Improving the National Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capacities of Mongolia

Project completed

The intervention seeks to improve the national emergency response capacities of Mongolia in the area of Urban Search And Rescue (USAR). In Mongolia USAR services are delivered by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Capacity-building will be pursued through a selection of measures with special focus on the provision of simple training facilities, targeted training in USAR techniques as well as support for organizational and operational conceptualization.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Mongolia
Climate change and environment
Disaster risk reduction DRR
01.01.2019 - 31.12.2019
CHF  210’000
Background As the largest land-locked country in the world and being exposed to significant climatic challenges, Mongolia is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, forest fires, as well as incidents impacted by extremely harsh winters. The increasing urban environments of Ulaanbaatar, where around 50 % of the country’s total population of 3 mio. inhabitants live, as well as the cities of Darkhan and Erdenet are especially prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity.
Objectives NEMA’s national response capacities are strengthened and its search and rescue operations extended to urban areas according to international standards. It aims to efficiently rescuing victims trapped under rubbles of collapsed structures, as demonstrable on the adapted organizational setup, training infrastructure, equipment as well as theoretical and practical know-how.
Target groups

Direct beneficiaries: (Urban) Search and Rescue experts and the management of NEMA

Indirect beneficiaries: All urban dwellers of Mongolia, particularly those in the capital Ulaanbaatar

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1

NEMA’s USAR units own, use and maintain appropriate training facilities consisting of a Modular Training Ground (MTG), including various training stations, that enable them to practice USAR techniques according to international standards.


Outcome 2

NEMA’s USAR units’ response capacities have been improved through introduction of systematic training of USAR techniques according to international standards, by using the partly newly purchased rescue tools, as well as through adaptations of the organizational setup and logistical infrastructure.

Results

Expected results:  

1.1: The planning of the Modular Training Ground (MTG) has been consolidated between NEMA, SDC experts and the mandated contractor, based on the results of the pilot phase.

1.2: The construction of the Modular Training Ground (MTG) has been realized by the mandated contractor on the determined premises of NEMA’s Special Rescue Unit (SRU) near Ulaanbaatar, based on the finalized planning and with supervision of NEMA and SDC experts.

1.3: NEMA has acquired know-how on the use and maintenance of the new MTG.

2.1: NEMA’s infrastructure to store, maintain and repair the rescue tools, including the newly purchased ones, are prepared and conditioned to be used for trainings.

2.2: NEMA has carried out practical USAR trainings on site, by using the SDC donated and new, locally purchased rescue tools.

2.3: NEMA has initiated the necessary adaptions to systematically manage its USAR units during the preparedness, mobilization, deployment and demobilization phases on national base.


Results from previous phases:  

During the project “pilot phase” (1.7.2017-31.12.2018) the capacity building process was initiated and developed with the following achievements:

  • Establishment of several NEMA working groups for project implementation
  • Identification, recruitement and employment of 12 new USAR trainers
  • Planning and tendering of a new Modular Training Ground (MTG) for practical USAR trainings
  • Evaluation and purchase of new rescue tools
  • Conceptualization related to the upgrade process “SAR to USAR”
  • Introduction of necessary adaptations in Management and Logistics


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
Foreign state institution
  • National State Institute North


Coordination with other projects and actors Synergies, coordination and – as far as possible – trilateral cooperation is sought with the USAR entities of the newly established Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    210’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    192’017 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   272’448 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   810’048
Project phases Phase 3 20.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Current phase)

Phase 2 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2019   (Completed)

Phase 1 01.07.2017 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)