Prepared to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies
2025, December
Vol. 66-4
Responders in the IAEA's Incident and Emergency System coordinate early notification and assistance to Member States during nuclear and radiological emergencies. (Photo: IAEA)
The Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) is the IAEA's global hub for emergency preparedness and response (EPR). Operating 24/7, it provides expert guidance, real time support and vital resources to countries in the unlikely event of a nuclear or radiological incident.
Established in 2005, the IEC emerged from a growing need for a centralized, coordinated mechanism to manage nuclear and radiological incidents and emergencies.
"Emergencies are events which overwhelm available resources for response. Even a relatively minor event can become an emergency in the absence of the appropriate resources and training," said Muhammad Nadeem Hussain, IAEA Response System Coordinator.
Over the past 20 years, the IEC has responded to more than 700 events around the world, including deploying field missions in 26 cases. Each response has helped improve its systems, protocols and global cooperation frameworks. Lessons learned from major incidents have shaped international standards and contributed to the continuous improvement of emergency preparedness.
"Over the years, the IAEA has adapted its response to an evolving spectrum of emergencies," said Carlos Torres Vidal, IEC Director from 2022 to 2025. "Each event has brought new challenges, from technological hazards to complex geopolitical contexts, and each has reinforced the importance of readiness, rapid coordination and international solidarity in protecting people and the environment."
IEC assistance is provided under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, which established an international framework for cooperation between States Parties and the IAEA to ensure timely and effective support during such events.
A rapid response network
The IEC relies on the Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies , an online platform that ensures secure, timely communication between the IAEA and Member States. The system enables real time updates during emergencies, ensuring all stakeholders have access to accurate information for informed decision making.
Another pillar of the IEC is the Response and Assistance Network . Countries can use it to request help, and other countries or organizations can respond by providing experts, equipment or technical advice.
The Incident and Emergency System provides a comprehensive framework of procedures, roles and responsibilities for coordinated emergency response. This system, tested through regular international Convention Exercises (ConvEx) , ensures that the IEC and Member States maintain a high level of readiness.
"We are committed to helping countries strengthen their systems, share knowledge and respond effectively when it matters most," said Günther Winkler, IAEA Response System Officer. "Our goal is to work alongside national teams, ensuring that they have the skills and support needed to manage any radiological emergency."
In recent years, the IEC has deployed its 24/7 capabilities by providing reliable communication and conducting nuclear and radiological assessments regarding nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and during recent events in Iran.
IAEA support for Liberia prevents a radiological incident
In 2024, IAEA experts helped prevent a radiological incident in Liberia from shutting down the country's main hospital in its capital, Monrovia.
Liberia requested IEC assistance after hospital staff detected an unidentified radioactive source in a maintenance room. The IAEA quickly developed a plan and sent a team of experts to Monrovia. Within a day of their arrival, the radioactive source was secured, allowing the hospital to resume operations without disruption.
"The IAEA's swift intervention underscores its commitment to nuclear safety and proactive prevention," said Karisma Pelham-Raad, Liberia's Assistant Minister for International Organizations. "Beyond addressing Liberia's immediate concerns, the Agency's support empowered our Environment Protection Agency staff to discover a Cs-137 radioactive source and strengthened national capacity."
"Building on this success," she added, "Liberia joined the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency during the 68th IAEA General Conference" in 2024.
The IAEA also supports Liberia through its technical cooperation programme , providing training and resources to enhance the country's capabilities in the safe and secure management of radioactive sources.
Strengthening capacities worldwide
With support delivered through the technical cooperation programme , the IEC assists countries in developing and enhancing their national EPR frameworks. From technical equipment to expert training, IEC engagement has helped bridge critical gaps and build robust national response capabilities.
In Saudi Arabia, for example, the IAEA supported the first Arabic-language training on nuclear and radiological emergency response. Participants learned about the roles of first responders, including site monitoring, decontamination and communicating effectively with the public.
"This training course allowed us to enhance our capacities and helped us to improve our national arrangements to respond to radiological and nuclear emergencies," said Nasser Alkhomashi, Vice-President for Emergency and Radiological Monitoring at Saudi Arabia's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission.
The IAEA also supported Pakistan in establishing and upgrading its National Radiation Emergency Coordination Centre, which serves as the focal point for the Early Notification and Assistance Conventions and uses IEC tools for assessing and anticipating emergencies. The collaboration involves the IEC supporting the country's emergency arrangements through technical workshops and assistance to test arrangements in responding to transnational nuclear or radiological emergencies.
The IEC's School of Radiation Emergency Management helps to strengthen national and regional preparedness and response capacities. Comprising classroom lectures, hands-on exercises and simulated disaster scenarios, the school offers EPR courses in Arabic, English, French and Spanish and is organized on a regional basis through the technical cooperation programme .
In recent years, the IEC Virtual Reality Training Platform has offered immersive, scenario-based learning for emergency responders worldwide, helping to build confidence and skills in high-stakes environments.
Over the past 20 years, over 150 countries have participated in IEC-led training, workshops and exercises. Thousands of emergency responders have been trained, and emergencies have been managed with international support.
