South-eastern European (SEE) countries

WHO supports building capacity in SEE countries on the public health management of chemical incidents and International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) implementation. In March 2013 national representatives from health and other sectors involved in activities related to chemical emergencies gathered at a workshop to raise awareness among decision-makers about chemical risks, and to facilitate capacity- and partnership-building in the area of chemical emergencies.

WHO and the Serbian Institute of Occupational Health, a WHO Collaborating Centre on occupational health, provided technical support to SEE countries for elimination of asbestos-related diseases by organizing two workshops for occupational health experts.

Members of the South East European Network on Workers’ Health and the South Eastern European Workplace Academy were trained to prepare national asbestos profiles; to present and assess the national situation and the data available in their countries; and to provide guidance on how to develop partnerships between health care professionals and civil sector organizations.