Japan, ASEAN countries hold disaster rescue drills in Thailand

Japan and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have held rescue drills in Thailand in preparation for flooding and other major disasters. The drills started eight years ago based on lessons from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.  

On Tuesday, more than 300 people, including medical personnel from participating countries and local rescue workers, took part in the drills held in Bangkok and two other locations. Medical personnel practiced deciding the order and priority of emergency treatment and airlifting out patients by military helicopter.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency said holding drills on a regular basis will improve disaster medical treatment in participating countries and strengthen cooperation and information sharing among medical teams from individual countries.