PANEX-21: A fact File

Highlights:

• PANEX-21 is a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise. 
• It is to be held for the BIMSTEC countries.

• It is a multi national disaster relief exercise.
• The exercise is to be held among the BIMSTEC countries: Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
• The main aim of the exercise is to build regional cooperation in responding to natural disasters.
• It is to be conducted in Pune from December 20 to December 22.
• The participants of the exercise will be divided into eight syndicates. 
• One syndicate from the participating countries and two from Indi
•  the capabilities of member states in responding to natural disaster. 
• The countries will share their best practices.
• The exercise will review the procedures of preparedness and response. 
• It will then recommend the evolution of organised structure.
• During the exercise, the countries will discuss military - to - military cooperation protocol.
• Recently, the cyclones in Bay of Bengal are becoming more disastrous. 
• This is mainly due to climate change. 
• The increase in surface sea temperature is making the cyclones more powerful. 
• The increase in sea - surface temperature increases the wind speeds of the cyclones. 
• The devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan was 13 billion USD.
• The unplanned development in Ecological Sensitive Zones fail to address the risks posed by the increasing intense cyclones.
• For these reasons, it is essential to remain prepared. 
• Therefore, there is a need for international cooperation among the coastal countries.