Ethiopia Achieves Historic Milestone as First Civilian EMT Classified in WHO African Region
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National Emergency Medical Team (EMT) receives World Health Organization (WHO) Classification for Type 1 Fixed EMT, Strengthening Ethiopia’s Emergency Response Capacity
Ethiopia has achieved a historic milestone in emergency medical response after its National Emergency Medical Team successfully obtained international classification from the WHO, becoming the first civilian EMT in the WHO African Region to be classified as a Type 1 Fixed Emergency Medical Team.
The landmark achievement places Ethiopia among the pioneers in strengthening standardized emergency medical response capacity in the African Region, alongside Senegal’s military EMT, which has also achieved WHO classification.
Prior to the verification, Ethiopia’s National EMT achieved a 96 out of 96 score against the WHO African Region EMT implementation framework, demonstrating its preparedness and compliance with the required standards. The team has evolved from Ethiopia’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), established in 2018, into a nationally structured emergency medical response team.
The achievement was officially recognized during a ceremony jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) on September 15, 2026 in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia’s National EMT has already demonstrated its ability to respond to diverse emergencies and operate in challenging environments. Its previous deployments include the Gamo Zone landslide response in southern Ethiopia and emergency response activities related to Marburg Virus Disease, providing practical experience in rapid deployment, clinical care, coordination, and emergency operations.
The development and strengthening of Ethiopia’s National EMT has been led by the Ministry of Health and EPHI, with technical and operational support from WHO, UK-Med, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and partners of the Global EMT Network.
Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba emphasized that in an era of escalating global crises, standardized emergency preparation is essential, attributing the success to dedicated local responders and international partners including the WHO, UK-Med, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and the Spanish EMT. Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma on his behalf commended the dedication of the clinicians, nurses, logisticians, and specialists who form the backbone of the team.
The Director General of EPHI Dr. Mesay Hailu affirmed that the independent verification solidifies EPHI’s vision of serving as a continental center of excellence following its centennial, while Dr. Melkamu Abte, Dupty Director General of EPHI noted that the classification builds on the team's evolution since 2018—from its origins as a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) responding to major mass casualty events and landslides to a fully integrated national and subnational emergency response architecture.
Speaking for the global body, Prof. Francis Chisaka Kasolo commended Ethiopia’s sustained investment and leadership, noting that the country now sets a benchmark for thirty other African nations currently establishing national EMT units.
The achievement further strengthens Ethiopia’s role in the regional and global EMT community ahead of the 7th EMT Global Meeting, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from November 3–5, 2026. The meeting will be particularly significant as it will be the first global EMT meeting to be hosted in the WHO African Region.
Ministry of Health,Ethiopia, British Council Ethiopia, British Embassy, Addis Ababa - UK in Ethiopia, World Health Organization Ethiopia, World Health Organization (WHO), Africa CDC