Rapid, coordinated, and technically sound response is essential when responding to chemical emergencies. Supporting countries in strengthening their national capacities for such emergencies is a core mandate of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
In line with this mandate, the OPCW, in cooperation with the Government of the Dominican Republic, is conducting CHEMEX GRULAC, a large‑scale, multi-component emergency preparedness and response exercise designed for first responders and health professionals from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The exercise begins today 27 April, and will run through 7 May 2026 in Santo Domingo.
The exercise brings together more than 100 participants from 23 countries and is delivered with financial support from the European Union and the Governments of Canada and Spain.
CHEMEX GRULAC combines theoretical instruction with hands-on training and real-time simulation exercises. It is designed to enhance national capabilities in assistance and protection, a core provision of the Convention, and to strengthen coordination among first responders, medical services, and relevant authorities. Participants include first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and civil defence personnel, as well as health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, midwives and paramedics working at hospitals or other medical facilities.
The programme culminates in a full-scale exercise simulating a chemical emergency, testing the entire response chain from incident site operations to hospital-based care under realistic, high-pressure conditions.
