In September, Saudi Arabia became the 37th country to join the IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET). This global network enables countries to offer, and receive, timely assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency.
"Saudi Arabia has developed its capabilities in preparedness and response to a nuclear or radiological emergency and has capacities to provide other countries with assistance to mitigate potential consequences. Joining RANET will exercise our readiness to a nuclear or radiological emergency and will expand our experiences when participating with other states during emergencies," said the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) in a statement.
Countries registered with RANET offer the types of assistance that they are willing and able to provide to other States or the IAEA in case of a nuclear or radiological emergency.
Saudi Arabia's entry into RANET strengthens the network's capacity to provide support with radiation surveys, and sampling and analysis of air, soil, water and other samples.
"As per RANET arrangements, the registration was received from the designated competent authority of Saudi Arabia, the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC)," said Kilian Smith, RANET Officer and Acting Response System Coordinator at the IAEA.
By registering with the network, countries fulfil their obligations under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency and strengthen the international assistance mechanism through which countries may obtain assistance, upon request, in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency.
"Saudi Arabia's registration increases the geographical distribution of the registered national assistance capabilities in RANET, said Smith, adding that "this will help to provide timely assistance in the event of a nuclear/radiological emergency in the region." Saudi Arabia is the third country from the Middle East and North Africa region to join RANET, after Egypt and Israel.
An international commitment to coordinated response
RANET was established in 2000 to support the practical implementation of the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. The Convention states that countries who need assistance following such an event may request it from a country registered with RANET, either through the IAEA or directly from the country itself. The network harmonizes the process by which this assistance may be offered and requested. In a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, prompt international assistance can protect human life, health, property and the environment, and can assist the requesting country to regain control of the situation and mitigate its consequences.
In the past, experts, equipment and materials have been deployed through RANET to requesting countries, including, most recently, in the wake of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion. RANET has also been used to provide requesting countries with the means to complete radiological surveys, source identification and recovery, and verification of radiological conditions. Requesting countries have also received dose reconstruction and medical advice, medical treatment and assistance in cases of radiation exposure.
Other types of assistance provide through RANET registered countries, may include providing advice on decontamination techniques and operational support in the decontamination of urban and rural areas; the assessment of doses following internal or external radiation exposure; and medical support, including specialised treatment and psychological support to affected persons and first responders.
Countries may also register capacity to provide advice and technical assistance in assessing nuclear installations and developing prognoses of possible developments. Other areas for assistance include conducting radiation survey activities, assistance in the recovery of lost or stolen radioactive sources and assessment and evaluation of the radiological consequences of a perceived threat.
Since its establishment the assistance network has expanded to 37 countries, that include: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
