SimEx 2018 - Digital Exercise Environment

Abstract

During SimEx2018 the large-scale field exercise was augmented with a digital environment. This digital environment consists of the digital presence of role-players on social media, the use of modern web technologies and the involvement of the Digital humanitarian Network (DHN). In SimEx2018 the DHN, specifically the Standby Task Force (SBTF) was activated and collaborated closely with UNDAC team. The value of DHN involvement was well recognized and proved to contribute to the response operations during the exercise. This report highlights the setup of the digital environment of SimEx, the activities executed prior and during the exercise, the management of SimEx digital environment and the lessons learned / reflections for future exercise and DHN development.