IAEA hosts nuclear, radiological emergency response training event in Sudan

More than 300 public safety professionals representing 20 African nations convened in Khartoum, Sudan for an educational event hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where participants trained in various aspects of response operations, radiological hazards, and emergency public communications.

Originally launched in May 2015, the training event has since held 11 different national courses throughout Africa and features participants including radiation protection officers, government officials, technical experts and firefighters who will carry out initial response operations in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency.

“The practical exercises and discussions helped us realize the importance of all stakeholders from the various first responders departments,” Bernardette Chege, radiation protection officer with the Kenya Radiation Protection Board, said. “These exercises highlighted that proper coordination by all first responders will ensure a successful mission in saving lives during an incident.”

According to Nahla Sulieman Fadlalla, regulatory officer at the Sudanese Regulatory Agency, the training had a significant impact on enhancing decision makers’ understanding of the importance of effective coordination between relevant stakeholders and the country’s emergency prevention and response infrastructure.

“Thanks to the training, participants have acquired the tools to prepare and conduct their own national programs and this has resulted in enhanced regional response capabilities in case of an emergency,” Fadlalla said.