Multi-Agency Collaboration Leading to WHO EMT Classification: The Korea Disaster Relief Team

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) was established in 2008 to systemize Korea’s overseas medical emergency response. Following multiple international deployments since 2008, KDRT embarked on its journey to achieve WHO Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Global Classification in 2017.

Objectives:

To outline the key success factors in KDRT’s work to reach classification as a Type 1 Fixed EMT.

Method/Description:

As the Korean government dispatches KDRT, a multi-agency collaboration is essential to respond to overseas disasters. To this end, KDRT leveraged a formal collaborative approach, assigning specific roles for EMT development and deployment to several national agencies: The Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of National Defense, the Korea International Cooperation Agency, Korea’s National Medical Center, and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare. This network prepared KDRT for WHO EMT Verification and developing Standard Operation Procedures for the EMT Type 1. Based on this SOP, KDRT repeated simulations for each element to strengthening capabilities and enable deployment ensuring strong coordination with national and international partners in response.

Results/Outcomes:

After initiating KDRT’s journey towards EMT classification 2017, KDRT formalized cooperation with multiple agencies, and codified these roles and responsibilities in formal/published SOPs. Finally, the KDRT was verified by WHO in June 2022.

Conclusion:

This study provides a process within the operating system limited to the Republic of Korea, the country of the KDRT. However, it also can be used as a collaborative reference case in the EMT development and verification process.