Experts and law enforcement officers from the Middle East and North African region came together in Abu Dhabi for an INTERPOL training session aimed at bolstering the region’s ability to investigate, prevent and respond to terrorist attacks perpetrated through the use of biological agents.

The five-day course (15 – 19 November), hosted by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), brought together 38 trainees from 12 countries and was lead by trainers and experts from INTERPOL, the World Health Organization, the Australian Federal Police, Centers for Disease Control and the FBI. There were also 25 observers from the UAE from various agencies which could be involved in the response to a bioterrorist attack.

Preparing an effective response

Aimed at enhancing the capacity of national police forces and related agencies from the public health and customs sectors to develop their own training capabilities and response units, this ‘train-the-trainer’ session was delivered in a series of interactive practical exercises simulating real-life scenarios. Sessions included an introduction to personal protective equipment and action which would be required in the event of an attack carried out with biological agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.

“We made trainees aware of the various types of biological occurrences that could be used and abused by terrorists,” commented John Abbot, Chairman of the INTERPOL Bioterrorism Steering Group Committee. “Tailored training courses of this kind illustrate INTERPOL's important role in helping countries to protect themselves from a crime-form which could erroneously be perceived as a natural occurrence rather than as an act of terrorism,” he added.

Cascading specialist knowledge

INTERPOL has worked ceaselessly since 2005 to heighten its member countries’ awareness of the dangers of bioterrorism and to enhance their preparedness for a bioterrorist attack. The trained trainers from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen are now expected to share their new knowledge and skills for effectively countering the threat of bioterrorism in their countries.

Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the US State Department and a grant from the Canadian government, INTERPOL’s Bioterrorism Prevention Programme delivers regular training sessions, regional workshops and table-top exercises worldwide as part of a global programme to build national and international capacity to tackle bioterrorism.