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Public Health Responses to CBRN Terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2024

Zakaria Mani Open the ORCID record for Zakaria Mani [Opens in a new window] ,
Virginia Plummer Open the ORCID record for Virginia Plummer [Opens in a new window] ,
Lisa Kuhn ,
Amir Khorram-Manesh Open the ORCID record for Amir Khorram-Manesh [Opens in a new window] ,
Derrick Tin Open the ORCID record for Derrick Tin [Opens in a new window]  and
Krzysztof Goniewicz Open the ORCID record for Krzysztof Goniewicz [Opens in a new window]
Zakaria Mani*
Affiliation:
Nursing College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Virginia Plummer
Affiliation:
Federation University, Melbourne, Australia
Lisa Kuhn
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
Amir Khorram-Manesh
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden Disaster Medicine Center, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
Derrick Tin
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Krzysztof Goniewicz*
Affiliation:
Department of Security Studies, Polish Air Force University, Dęblin, Poland
*
Corresponding authors: Zakaria Mani; Email: zakaria.mani@jazanu.edu.sa and Krzysztof Goniewicz; Email: k.goniewicz@law.mil.pl.
Corresponding authors: Zakaria Mani; Email: zakaria.mani@jazanu.edu.sa and Krzysztof Goniewicz; Email: k.goniewicz@law.mil.pl.
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Abstract

Objective:

Escalating global challenges (such as disasters, conflict, and climate change) underline the importance of addressing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) terrorism for sustainable public health strategies. This study aims to provide a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of CBRN incidents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, emphasizing the necessity of sustainable responses to safeguard healthcare infrastructures.

Method:

Utilizing a retrospective approach, this research analyzes data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) covering the period from 2003 to 2020. The study focuses on examining the frequency, characteristics, and consequences of CBRN incidents in the MENA region to identify patterns and trends that pose significant challenges to public health systems.

Results:

The analysis revealed a significant clustering of CBRN incidents in Iraq and Syria, with a predominant involvement of chemical agents. These findings indicate the extensive impact of CBRN terrorism on healthcare infrastructures, highlighting the challenges in providing immediate health responses and the necessity for long-term recovery strategies.

Conclusions:

The study underscores the need for improved healthcare preparedness, robust emergency response systems, and the development of sustainable public health policies. Advocating for international collaboration, the research contributes to the strategic adaptation of healthcare systems to mitigate the impacts of CBRN terrorism, ensuring preparedness for future incidents in the MENA region and beyond.

Keywords

CBRN incidentschemical warfarehealthcare responseinternational collaborationterrorismemergency preparednessGlobal Terrorism Database
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 18 , 2024 , e87
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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