A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the territory of Baatsagaan soum of Bayankhongor Province. According to the Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the tremor occurred at 4:37 a.m. on November 10, with its epicenter located 38 kilometers north of the center of Bayantsagaan soum, 49 kilometers southwest of Baatsagaan’s center, and 64 kilometers north of Bayankhongor soum center. Although residents felt the tremors, there were no reported damages.
Earthquake strength is measured by two key metrics: magnitude and intensity. Magnitude indicates the energy released at the earthquake’s source underground, while intensity measures the impact felt on the earth’s surface, including effects on people and structures. The intensity scale ranges up to 12 levels; quakes with a magnitude below three are generally imperceptible to people, whereas those exceeding magnitude seven can cause widespread devastation.
In accordance with the policies and plans approved by the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) commenced a command-staff exercise, organized under the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Protection. At 5:00 a.m., an “Emergency Assembly” alert was issued to check the readiness of personnel and resources.
A division at the ministry is conducting a 48-hour exercise simulating earthquake disaster response, focusing on preparation and readiness measures. The drill is led by NEMA Deputy Director, Brigadier General B.Uuganbayar, while L.Munkhzul, Secretary of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Protection, serves as the Head of the State Service’s Operations Center. Over 400 participants are involved, including officials from the ministry, the General Department of Social Insurance, the General Department of Labor and Welfare Services, the Authority for Family, Child and Youth Development, the General Department of Development of Persons with Disabilities, the Training, Assessment and Research Institute for Labor and Social Protection, the Occupational Safety and Health Center, as well as representatives from all provinces and nine districts.
This practice is particularly significant as it marks the first time a nationwide drill has been conducted specifically for the state service for population and social protection. It aims to refine the disaster preparedness plan, assess the readiness of personnel, enhance decision-making capabilities of leadership teams, evaluate situational awareness, and improve coordination among emergency response teams.
The growing need for proactive disaster risk reduction, enhanced public awareness, and active community engagement in disaster preparedness activities is evident, as the frequency and severity of natural disasters continue to rise annually. Research indicates that children, women, and persons with disabilities represent the most vulnerable groups, suffering the highest casualties in disaster events. Regular public education and awareness campaigns are crucial to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of these at-risk populations.
