TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will conduct a Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee field exercise in Tainan next Thursday.

Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said the exercise simulates a severe disaster scenario involving earthquakes, tsunamis, and disruptions to critical infrastructure. The drill assesses central and local authorities’ emergency response capabilities in large-scale evacuations, sheltering and resettlement, and setting up emergency medical facilities, Kuo said. 

Additionally, the exercise will incorporate civilian participation to evaluate the government's ability to coordinate and collaborate with the public in disaster response, reinforcing whole-of-society defense resilience, she said.

The exercise will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tainan Municipal Nanning High School, Anping Harbor visitor center, and the plaza opposite Yuping Post Office.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee in June to foster collaboration between the central and local governments while integrating civilian efforts in disaster response. In December, the committee conducted a tabletop exercise with central government agencies and the Tainan City Government on disaster prevention and responses to “comprehensive threats,” per the Presidential Office.