WHO, IAEA Complete Nuclear Emergency Drill at Mexican Plant
The World Health Organization on Friday completed a two-day emergency radiation exercise at the Laguna Verde nuclear power plant in Mexico. The drill was coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency with 74 of its Member States and nine international organizations.
The test utilized all WHO systems, including its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and its Mexican country office. Permanent coordination was established with the Emergency Unit and National Focal Point for IHR (2005) of the Mexican Ministry of Health. WHO said results of the exercise were still being evaluated.
The exercise is "a crucial part of the international efforts to be fully prepared to respond to any radiological or nuclear incident or emergency worldwide," the agency said. Under the International Health Regulations (2005) and as lead health agency within the United Nations, WHO has a mandate to coordinate any international public health response to all types of public health risks and emergencies, including radiological events.
IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) and emergency operations centers of Member States and international organizations were activated as part of the exercise.