Ethiopia’s National Emergency Medical Team Earns Landmark WHO Classification

Ethiopia’s National Emergency Medical Team (EMT) has officially received international classification from the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the first civilian EMT in the WHO African Region to achieve this milestone.

Announced by the WHO on September 15, 2026, the verification confirms that the team meets rigorous global standards across governance, clinical services, logistics, information management, infection control, and sanitation. The classification recognizes the team’s operational readiness to deploy during health emergencies, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises worldwide.

The development of the national team was led by the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), supported by technical assistance from the WHO and partners within the Emergency Medical Team Network. As part of the rigorous verification process, the team completed comprehensive assessments and simulation exercises, demonstrating its capability to set up and operate fully functional field hospitals.

“Today is the day our people ask: ‘Are you there for us? Are you prepared for us?’” said Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba. “The successful WHO verification of Ethiopia’s National Emergency Medical Team demonstrates our readiness to protect communities when emergencies strike.”

The national EMT has already proven its capacity domestically, leading response efforts during the Gamo Zone landslide and directing preparedness initiatives for various public health outbreaks. Looking ahead, international partners and emergency responders plan to build on this milestone to further strengthen regional medical emergency response frameworks.