January 21, 2026: The U.S. Embassy, in coordination with the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), has successfully conducted a Counter-Proliferation Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Table Top Exercise in Port Louis, Mauritius, from January 20-21, 2026. The exercise has helped improve Mauritius’s ability to respond to hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents.
The two-day exercise brought together over 36 Mauritian officials from 26 key national agencies, including the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC), Mauritius Police Force, National Coast Guard, and Mauritius Ports Authority.
The event focused on strengthening national capacity to detect, assess, and respond to hazardous substances, particularly in critical locations such as the Port of Mauritius. During the exercise, the participants worked through a coordinated response with guidance from DTRA to a simulated emergency involving hazardous materials.
The goal was to test response procedures, strengthen interagency coordination, and identify areas for improvement.
The closing ceremony on January 21 brought together senior U.S. and Mauritian officials to mark the successful conclusion of the exercise. VIP attendees included: Colonel (Deputy Commissioner of Police) Premanand Budhoo, Commander, Special Mobile Force and Director, NDRRMC; Caleb Goddard, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius; and Commander Andrew Y. Moore, Team Lead, DTRA.
“The United States is a willing and committed partner in helping Mauritius minimize the impact of hazardous materials incidents on people, property, and the economy,” Caleb Goddard commented.
“This initiative is just one example of the many areas of collaboration between our two governments. Working together to address shared challenges is a core part of our diplomatic engagement and long-standing partnership,” he added.
This exercise builds on prior DTRA engagements in 2025 and responds to a request from the Prime Minister’s Office to enhance national disaster response capacity in Mauritius. This effort is part of a longer-term U.S.- Mauritius partnership designed to strengthen the readiness against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
This initiative contributes to the safety and security of the people in Mauritius and supports continued economic resilience, and contributes to our broader effort to strengthen our security relationship and broaden our economic ties as we bolster our bilateral partnership.
