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The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) continues its commitment to enhancing seismic resilience in Bhutan with the successful conclusion of a four-day online training on Earthquake Hazard and Risk, held from August 6-9, 2024. Following a productive visit in March, the training aimed to equip participants from key government agencies and academic institutions with vital skills in seismic hazard and risk assessment. This training is part of GEM's USAID-BHA-supported Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE) project, of which Bhutan is one of the project sites.

More than 60 participants attended the training, representing various organisations including the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Works & Human Settlement, the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, and the College of Science and Technology at the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB). The sessions provided hands-on experience in utilising OpenQuake for seismic hazard and risk assessment.

Facilitated by GEM Senior Seismic Risk Modeller, Alejandro Calderón, the training was tailored to meet Bhutan's specific needs. It covered essential topics such as earthquake rupture modeling and damage and loss estimation. Participants had their first hands-on experience with the models being developed for Bhutan within the context of FORCE, which aims to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness. Key government participants provided valuable feedback on the methodology and results of the seismic risk model for Bhutan during the sessions.

GEM expresses optimism about the impact of these tools on Bhutan's future disaster response efforts and looks forward to seeing their implementation in enhancing national resilience against seismic events. For more information about the FORCE project, you can learn more at this link. https://www.globalquakemodel.org/proj/force

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