Needs Assessment for Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Establishment and Functioning in Georgia and Armenia

The survey was carried out with the frames of the project - "Stronger Together – Cooperative Action to Respond to Cross-Border Emergencies" funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The overall goal of the action was to enhance the disaster risk management system with a special focus on health emergencies in Georgia and Armenia through capacity building and establishing cross-border cooperation mechanisms.  

In frames of this initiative, ACT carried out a qualitative survey on the needs for EMT establishment in Georgia and Armenia. The study analyzed the local approach towards EMT establishment and functioning, legislative arrangement and needs of adaptation, infrastructural readiness, availability of local human resources for EMT operation, and best international practices from Germany, Belgium, and Estonia. Based on the overall survey findings, a recommendations package was elaborated to share lessons learned from other countries and approximate a local approach to the best international practices.  

The assessment aimed to identify factors hindering EMT establishment and effective operation in Georgia and Armenia. Also, it analysed existing recourses and revealed gaps and/or bottlenecks related to infrastructural arrangements, standard operating procedures (including analysis of existing legislation and/or potential legal implications), and existing HR procedures for EMTs.