On November 6 – 8, 2025, a multi-agency disaster medical rescue training was held by ARROWS (Airborne Rescue and Relief Operations With Search) in Ehime Prefecture.

A-PAD’s Executive Director, Kaori Neki, and A-PAD’s COO and A-PAD Sri Lanka’s representative, Firzan Hashim, joined the training.

ARROWS is a disaster support project centered on medical care for large-scale disasters. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, ARROWS has been deployed to several international disasters and almost all major domestic disasters. 

The multi-agency medical rescue training is held annually and this year marks its sixth. This is a rare initiative in Japan that connects on-site rescue with medical triage and treatment at a field hospital. Several key agencies participated including fire departments, businesses, and NGOs.

The first day began with a briefing session where the participants learned about procedures for accepting overseas medical teams during a disaster and ARROWS’ activities. The main training started in the afternoon, simulating support for a massive disaster with overseas teams and external aid organizations carrying out relief activities. 

Continuing from the first day, the second day also involved running a simulation for a large-scale earthquake.

In the morning, A-PAD’s Neki and Hashim observed a scenario simulating the rescue of victims from a partially collapsed school building. 

 

 

In the afternoon, the Philippines Medical Association (PMA) medical team provided medical triage to the participants acting as patients.

Through this kind of practical training, the participants were able to share practical knowledge, build partnerships with domestic and international actors, and promote disaster preparedness.