The seventh annual Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting will convene in Addis Ababa from November 3 to 5, 2026, organized jointly by the World Health Organization and Ethiopia’s government. Over 800 delegates from more than 100 nations will gather to explore ways nations can establish and maintain robust emergency medical response systems.
This marks the first EMT Global Meeting held within the WHO African Region, with Ethiopia leading the event alongside WHO. The agenda centers on the EMT 2030 Strategy while incorporating lessons from recent crises, emphasizing sustainable funding, service quality, preparedness, and cross-border collaboration to enhance emergency healthcare delivery.
Emergency Medical Teams deploy specialized medical personnel to deliver critical care during crises like epidemics, disasters, or conflicts. They function under local coordination frameworks, reinforcing existing health infrastructure while adhering to global medical standards.
Ethiopia’s national EMT program earned WHO international certification in September 2026 after meeting rigorous benchmarks for clinical services, logistics, and operational readiness during an independent evaluation.
Across the African Region, 30 countries are advancing their EMT capabilities through the 2026–2030 Regional Framework. WHO provides technical assistance, mentorship, and preparedness assessments to help nations build these response capacities. The Regional EMT Training and Knowledge Hub in Addis Ababa further supports professional development through simulations and collaborative learning, supporting better coordination between national and international responders.
Creating functional emergency teams extends beyond staff recruitment. Governments must implement policies to free personnel from regular duties, sustain medical equipment, secure funding for deployments, and ensure supply transportation during crises. These systemic measures guarantee teams can effectively address emergencies.
WHO Representative to Ethiopia, Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, highlighted that “strong national teams give countries more capacity to respond quickly and organize assistance according to local needs.” He added that hosting the meeting in Africa allows regional experiences to inform global strategies, while also strengthening pre-crisis support mechanisms.
The summit will also examine the financial and operational investments needed to maintain readiness, including stable funding, continuous training, proper equipment, and efficient deployment systems. These elements are essential for health authorities and development partners planning investments in emergency preparedness, workforce training, and resilient healthcare systems.
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