Within the framework of the European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Risk Mitigation Initiative, a “Train-the-Trainers Regional Conference on Medical Preparedness and Response to CBRN Incidents in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries” took place in Abu Dhabi from 6 to 17 March 2023. The event was coordinated by the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat in Abu Dhabi, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Interior in the United Arab Emirates and the European Commission and hosted by Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Academy.
The train-the-trainers programme, which is part of the EU CBRN CoE project 82, was attended by participants from GCC partner countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The 52 participants included first and second line responders from the ministries of health and civil defence who have direct responsibilities for managing casualties of CBRN accidents. The training was jointly conducted by European Union and Middle East experts who were trained under the EU CBRN CoE project 54 focusing on “Capacity Building for Medical Preparedness and Response to CBRN Incidents” implemented in the Middle East.
The train-the-trainers course aimed to provide prospective trainers with advanced and specialized training in emergency medical assistance during CBRN disasters. These trainers will then be responsible for training first- and second-line medical response teams in their respective partner countries. The course was structured into two 5-day training modules. The first module provided an overview of CBRN accidents and incidents, while the second module focused on the practical management of injuries and the application of specialised CBRN medical assistance.
Furthermore, a regional network has been established, comprising all participants of the training course. This network includes direct responders to medical, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear emergencies, as well as institutions and national training centres that will offer regionally and internationally recognised training programmes in this field.
About Project 82
Project 82 is a joint effort between the European Union (EU), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), operating under the framework of the European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative to mitigate risks from deriving from the misuse of CBRN materials and technologies. The overarching objective of P82 is to enhance the medical preparedness and response capabilities to CBRN incidents in the GCC countries. This objective is pursued through the establishment or reinforcement of dedicated national training centers and the implementation of train-the-trainers courses. These centers will contribute to the development of a sustainable training framework in the region. In case where such centers do not already exist, they will be established, while existing centers will be enhanced where possible. The aim is to ensure continuous national and regional capacity to train future generations of paramedics (first line), doctors and nurses (second line) in managing casualties related to CBRN accidents and incidents.
About the EU CBRN CoE Initiative
The EU CBRN CoE Initiative is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention.
The aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen an all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach. The EU support is provided to implement a wide range of CBRN risk mitigation activities including needs and risk assessments, national and regional action plans, capacity building activities, legal framework reviews, table top and real time (including cross-border) field exercises, inter-regional exchange of best practices and lessons learnt.
Funded and implemented through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, the Initiative is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional and international cooperation. Other relevant International and/or Regional Organisations and experts also contribute to the Initiative, which represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme involving 64 Partner Countries.
