The Ukrainian Red Cross, together with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), held a meeting with representatives of regional military administrations responsible for protecting the population and territories from radiation and chemical hazards

Participants discussed preparedness to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats, existing capacities and further coordination among all parties involved.

The Ukrainian Red Cross is already developing its capacity in this area. Teams are being equipped with decontamination stations, receiving specialised training and conducting joint exercises with SESU to practise response actions. The next important step is to include trained Ukrainian Red Cross teams in joint response plans and procedures.

With the support of the German Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross has also provided 2,220 gas masks to each of four regions — Volyn, Rivne, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa — to strengthen the protection of local communities.

Preparedness, access to the necessary equipment, and clear coordination among emergency services and communities all help ensure readiness to respond to CBRN threats. Being prepared means being protected.