A multinational effort from the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region drew first responders to Qatar this week to bolster their emergency response and protection skills in the field.
The large-scale event was hosted by Qatar’s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The event was part of a Regional Advanced Course and Field Exercise on Assistance and put attendees at a Qatar Army regional training center. In all, 36 first responders attended from 10 nations.
Attendees were taught the proper use of protective equipment, given monitor training, as well as taught detection and decontamination operations, and the provision of first aid for those hit by chemicals. Chemical incidents played a large part of the focus, with a tabletop exercise and field activity revolving around such events.
OPCW has made the elimination of such chemical weapons its life’s endeavor. Since the Chemical Weapons Convention came into force in 1997, OPCW has overseen the destruction of over 96 percent of all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor states. This latest training exercise is the second stage of a regional assistance and protection project for MENA states.