
Incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) materials (for example, chemical transport accidents) have the potential to cause large numbers of causalities while also posing an unintended risk to first responders and medical professionals who must offer critical care from the scene of an incident to the hospital while mitigating exposure to and the spread of contamination. Consequently, mobilising a safe and effective CBRN medical response requires specialized procedures, equipment and training.
Understanding the unique hazards presented by CBRN incidents, and the vital role played by first responders and medical professionals, EU CBRN CoE Project 98 (P98) aims to strengthen CBRN medical emergency preparedness and response among EU CBRN CoE Partner Countries in Southeast Asia to minimise the health consequences following CBRN incidents.
On 22-24 October 2024, the P98 Implementation Team partnered with the Government of Malaysia to deliver the project’s Kick-Off Regional Conference in Kuala Lumpur. The event, which welcomed 80 delegates from across the region alongside relevant international organisations, provided opportunities to gain an understanding of the project’s aims and objectives, meet project partners and key national stakeholders as well as an opportunity to participate in a Malaysia-led table-top exercise and field demonstration.
Focusing on enhancing CBRN medical emergency preparedness and response, the Conference marked the official start of the P98 project with key highlights including:
- Cross-sectoral collaboration with an emphasis on improving coordination among national stakeholders for scene management and medical care.
- Capacity building with a table-top exercise led by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and a field demonstration by key Malaysian agencies at Hang Tuah Fire Station (Kuala Lumpur) where a range of CBRN preparedness and response capabilities were showcased and participants engaged in hands-on learning and sharing of experience.
- International partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), ASEAN Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) Programme, the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) and others, showcased the power of collaborative efforts to tackle CBRN challenges.
- Fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration through breakout sessions to discuss cross-sectoral co-operation and scene management, pre-hospital and hospital medical care, emergencies at points of entry and border control and field epidemiology training.
The conference played a crucial role in exploring good practices, identifying capacity areas for improvement and strengthening collaborations to enhance regional capabilities in CBRN incident management. Malaysia demonstrated its commitment to the initiative by having its Deputy Foreign Minister gracing the official dinner along with the Ambassador of the European Union to Malaysia.
Benefiting from nearly 15 years of successful collaboration through the EU CBRN CoE, Southeast Asia Partner Countries reaffirmed their commitment to a safer and more resilient future. Special thanks to all participants, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and other key Malaysian agencies for making this event such a great success.
Now the work begins with plans to work together to scope the work in detail over the coming months and to move towards implementing these plans later in 2025!
Supporting the enhancement of CBRN Medical Emergency Preparedness and Response in Southeast Asia
The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative EU CBRN CoE is working to mitigate risks arising from CBRN materials and agents in cooperation with its 63 Partners Countries.
EU CBRN CoE Project 98, EMED is led by the implementer, International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC), in cooperation with other European entities. The project aims to strengthen CBRN medical emergency preparedness and response in partner countries in Southeast Asia in order to minimize health consequences following CBRN incidents, crises and events by improved regional awareness among high-level stakeholders about the importance of CBRN medical preparedness, detection, response and related good practices; enhancing competency of national technical personnel involved in CBRN medical response with a focus on scene management, pre-hospital and hospital medical care and medical emergencies at points of entry as well as enhanced national technical competency to investigate infectious disease events.
Launched in 2024, EMED is active in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
To know more about the EU CBRN CoE support for CBRN risk mitigation in Southeast Asia, visit the SEA Regional Secretariat page.
Details
- Publication date
- 30 December 2024
- Authors
- Service for Foreign Policy Instruments | Joint Research Centre
- CBRN areas
- Crisis management
- First response
- Post incident recovery
- Public health impact mitigation
- Safety and security
- CBRN categories
- Chemical
- Biological
- Radiological
- Nuclear
- CoE Region
- SEA - Southeast Asia