The Rescue M.A.R.C.H. Challenge (RMC) is a simulation exercise designed to replicate the realities of responding to a major disaster scenario, prepare responders for the ultimate test: delivering aid when disaster destroys the systems we rely on most. Conceptualized in 2014 by Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) advocate Martin Aguda Jr., RMC was inspired by the worst-case scenarios projections of a major earthquake in Metro Manila. It envisions an environment where infrastructure has collapsed, mobility is severely restricted, and rescuers must rely on their physical endurance, teamwork, and preparedness to reach affected areas.
In this exercise, rescue teams embark on a 10–15 kilometer on foot in full deployment gear, carrying essential equipment, medical supplies, and personal survival kits from a designated “Staging Area” to "Ground Zero". The challenge intensifies with the iconic "Mogadishu Walk", requiring teams to transport a simulated casualty strapped to a backboard across a grueling 1–3 kilometers, under physical strain and operational stress.
The Rescue M.A.R.C.H. Challenge is not a competition; RMC emphasizes on physical fitness, operational readiness, adaptability, and coordinated action. Beyond fitness, RMC emphasizes the operational realism of disaster deployments—preparing rescuers not just to survive the march but to effectively serve affected communities when systems fail and every step becomes critical.