The Ethiopian Emergency Medical Team (EMT): its formation, progress, response experience and opportunities. Authors

Boniface Oyugi^1,2Nahom Tadelle³Alegnta Gebreyesus³Martinez-Monterrey Lazaro⁴Jerry-Jonas Mbasha⁵Pryanka Relan^1*Thierno Balde⁶Flavio Salio¹Melkamu Abtea⁶Neima Zeynu⁶Joseph Okeibunor^5,7*

• ¹World Health Organisation, Emergency Medical Teams Initiative, Headquarters, Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
• ²Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS), University of Kent, George Allen Wing,, Canterbury CT2 7NF, United Kingdom
• ³Ethiopian Emergency Medical Team, Ethiopian Public health Institute (PHEM),, Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• ⁴World Health Organisation, Country Office, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
• ⁵World Health Organisation, Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville Congo, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
• ⁶World Health Organisation, Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, Regional Hub for West Africa, Dakar, Senegal
• ⁷World Health Organization - Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Background: Ethiopia faces climate shocks, conflict, food insecurity, and limited livelihoods, creating urgent humanitarian needs and a critical demand for emergency medical response. A well-coordinated national emergency medical team (N-EMT) is essential to address these crises effectively.Objective: This study documents the progress of the country's emergency response mechanisms and N-EMT development.Methods: This study employed a holistic single-case study design, integrating mixed methods approaches to explore the introduction and establishment of N-EMT in the Federal Republic of Ethiopia. It examined the national disaster response context, highlighting key challenges, enabling factors, and emergent opportunities. Data were collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) and an in-depth review of relevant policy and operational documents.Results: Launched in August 2018, the Ethiopian Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) initiative aimed to enhance Ethiopia's response to rising emergencies in peripheral regions by establishing a structured framework with trained professionals. This led to the creation of N-EMTs and a strategic implementation roadmap, supported by a core team executing a comprehensive joint work plan. Collaborating with partners and utilising existing government systems ensured resource management and access to essential supplies. Strong backing from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and high-level government offices was vital for integration and sustainability, emphasising political will's role in advancing health frameworks. The N-EMT expanded to address mass gatherings, conflicts, and malnutrition, enhancing capabilities and participating in regional health diplomacy. Collaborations with United Kingdom Medical Emergency Team (UK-MED) and Polish Centre for International Aid (Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej) (PCPM) refined verification, human resource (HR) management, and logistics, supported by innovative funding. Ethiopia’s N-EMT implementation score reached 69 out of 96, indicating substantial progress toward full operationalization. Of the total implementation activities, 27 were fully completed, 15 were partially achieved or ongoing, and 6 had yet to commence.Conclusion: Ethiopia has made strong and measurable progress in developing its N-EMT, establishing a foundational framework, mobilizing trained personnel, and expanding its scope to address a variety of emergencies. However, to reach full WHO classification, specific gaps remain – particularly in institutionalizing coordination structures, formalizing deployment protocols, and strengthening logistics and human resource systems..