Zanzibar Blackout

The first-ever TRIPLEX exercise took place in 1997 in the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of a pioneering initiative in multilateral humanitarian preparedness. Organized by the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP), the inaugural TRIPLEX focused on testing and enhancing coordination among humanitarian actors in a simulated emergency environment. Bringing together IHP member organizations and international partners, the exercise laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of civilian-led humanitarian response training. It set a precedent for future exercises, emphasizing collaboration, interoperability, and the practical application of skills in complex crisis scenarios.

The 2016 TRIPLEX exercise, hosted by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection in southern Norway, brought together over 200 participants from 36 organizations and more than 70 nationalities. Centered on a realistic scenario involving Hurricane "Windblown," which devastated the fictional country of Sörland, the exercise tested emergency response coordination among UN agencies, the EU Civil Protection team, NGOs, military actors, and private sector partners. The event began with workshops on the latest humanitarian tools and mechanisms, followed by a three-day simulation focused on assessments, coordination, and response planning.