Mass gatherings offer economic and social benefits but create public health risks. Large crowds and temporary infrastructure can lead to disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and other emergencies. These challenges are particularly relevant for Indonesia, as the host of many large-scale events requiring coordination across multiple agencies.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) Mass gathering practical guide for simulation exercises and after action reviews is a tool to support better preparedness for these events. The guide provides materials for host countries, health authorities and event organizers to test their readiness and improve future planning through structured simulation exercises and post-event learning.
The guide includes four adaptable hazard scenarios designed for use in training exercises, along with a structured question database to support comprehensive post-event reviews. It provides tools for multi-sector planning that reflect Indonesia’s collaborative approach, involving the Ministry of Health’s Crisis Centre, the National Police, the National Disaster Management Agency and local governments. It was developed with input from regional experts to ensure it meets diverse preparedness needs across different contexts.
The guide complements WHO's existing mass gathering resources and provides practical tools to prepare for both expected and unexpected health threats. For Indonesia, it directly supports ongoing emergency preparedness efforts, including subnational capacity-building programs, multisectoral risk assessments and joint simulation exercises linked to major events.
This resource strengthens Indonesia's established multi-stakeholder coordination framework while offering concrete tools to enhance simulation-based planning and improve post-event analysis across the health system.
Download the Mass gathering practical guide for simulation exercises and after action reviews here: Mass gathering practical guide for simulation exercises and after action reviews