Ethiopia is hosting the seventh Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting, bringing together more than 800 participants from over 100 countries from November 3-5, 2026.
The meeting is the first of its kind to be held in the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region.
Hosted by the Government of Ethiopia in collaboration with the WHO, the meeting focuses on strengthening countries’ capacity to provide timely, quality clinical care during outbreaks, disasters, conflicts and other emergencies.
Government representatives, health professionals, researchers and humanitarian partners are gathering to advance the development of national emergency medical teams, with discussions focusing on sustainable financing, quality standards, operational readiness and international co-operation.
Emergency Medical Teams are groups of health professionals trained and equipped to provide care during emergencies. They support affected countries’ health systems, working under national coordination and according to agreed standards for safe, quality care.
In September 2026, Ethiopia’s national Emergency Medical Team achieved WHO international classification following an assessment of its clinical services, logistics and operational readiness against international standards.
Across the WHO African Region, 30 countries are developing national EMT capacities, supported by the Regional Framework on Emergency Medical Teams 2026–2030.
Speaking at the meeting, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, said national emergency medical teams give countries the capacity to respond quickly when health services are overwhelmed.
“Investing in these teams means investing in people who know their communities, understand their health systems and can also support neighbouring countries during emergencies,” said Janabi.
WHO Representative to Ethiopia, Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, said hosting the meeting in the African Region brings countries’ experiences directly into global discussions.
“It is an opportunity to agree on how we can better support teams before an emergency and work together during a response,” said Professor Kasolo.
The meeting also provides an opportunity for countries and partners to identify investment needs and define their contributions, with sustained financing, regular training and reliable deployment systems identified as essential for effective emergency response.
–ChannelAfrica—
