Ethiopia is taking chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear (CBRN) threats seriously and is putting measures in place to better protect its population. The objective of the workshop is to start drafting a CBRN national action plan for Ethiopia.
ADDIS ABABA (EU in Ethiopia)–From 9 to 11 October 2018, the European Union (EU) and Ethiopia were hosting a workshop in Addis Ababa, in order to discuss the risks and threats relating to chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear (CBRN) materials. CBRN threats continue to be of concern to governments worldwide.
For instance, in the European Union (EU) there are fears concerning the terrorist fighters who have joined ISIS in Iraq and Syria and who are now returning to their home countries. They may bring with them knowledge from ISIS laboratories that they could use to produce dirty bombs and carry out attacks.
Mr Luca Zampetti, the Head of the Political & Press Section at the EU Delegation to Ethiopia, formally opened the three-day workshop. He informed that increased collaboration at national, regional and international levels is the best way forward to help protect countries from CBRN incidents.
Ethiopia is taking CBRN threats seriously and is putting measures in place to better protect its population. The objective of the workshop is to start drafting a national CBRN action plan for Ethiopia.
The EU is assisting Ethiopia with expert advice on the CBRN national action plan. The EU assistance is being offered in the context of the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. The CoE Initiative was established in 2010, with the aim of facilitating partner countries to build a culture of CBRN safety & security.
Dr Solomon Getachew, the Director-General of the Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority and national focal point for the CBRN Initiative in Ethiopia, thanked the EU for its assistance and co-operation in the important security sector.
Source: EU in Ethiopia