From November 3-14, 2025, A-PAD and the National Fire Agency (NFA), Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan held the Joint Indo-Pacific Region Rope Rescue Training and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training at the NFA Training Centre in Nantou County, Taiwan.

A total of 26 trainees participated in the training, including 12 from A-PAD Sri Lanka. In addition to classroom learning and team exercises, the trainees also practiced high-altitude rope rescue on steep cliffs and practical training in urban search and rescue (USAR) in the event of an earthquake.

Demonstration of the training in action:

 

Participants from Sri Lanka expressed their excitement saying, “I was impressed to see the equipment and technology that I have never seen in my country.”

A participant from the Philippines also commented, “This kind of practical training is extremely important as the Philippines is currently suffering from severe flooding. Although the participants are from different organizations and countries, they share a common passion for saving lives.”

Each participant was determined to put the knowledge and skills they gained through this training to good use in their own countries.