Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs)

The WHO European Region has a dozen WHO certified Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) ready to deliver rapid health care when disaster strikes or an outbreak flares.

The WHO EMT initiative assists organizations and countries to build capacity and strengthen health systems by coordinating the deployment of qualified medical teams in emergencies.

The EMT initiative places focus on helping countries develop national teams, which can be deployed where they are needed most in the shortest time.

EMTs are an important part of the global health workforce and have a specific role. Any doctor, nurse or paramedic team coming from another country to practice health care in an emergency needs to arrive as part of a team. That team must be qualified, trained, and bring equipment and supplies to deliver an effective response rather than imposing a burden on the national system. EMTs must strive for self-sufficiency, meet the minimum team standards, and possess the skills appropriate for the context.