Tim Healing, an independent consultant on humanitarian aid, reviews a new sourcebook for relief professionals facing the possible threat of chemical, biological, radioloigical or nuclear weapons.

“Extreme Emergencies: Humanitarian Assistance to Civilian Populations following Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Incidents – a Sourcebook”, by Anthea Sanyasi, is published by ITDG Publishing.

The threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or enhanced explosive (CBRNE) weapons are not new, but the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and all stemmed from them have highlighted the existence of these threats and quite possibly made attacks using such weapons more likely.

Industrial processes that produce toxic chemicals are proliferating. Radioactive material is widely used in industry. Micro-organisms are grown extensively in industry, hospitals and laboratories. Taken together, these factors mean that there is an ever-increasing likelihood that NGOs working internationally will find themselves in the midst of a disaster caused by one or more CBRNE components.

Humanitarian agencies, especially those used to working in emergencies, are well equipped to save lives and reduce the suffering resulting from such disasters – provided they are fully prepared in advance.

Planning for such disasters has up to now largely been the preserve of the military and specialist government departments. Information has been available to other agencies but has often required extensive efforts to obtain it. NGOs have not generally included detailed planning for such incidents in their operational procedures, often because of the difficulties in obtaining the relevant information.

“Extreme Emergencies” is a detailed source book on CBRNE for humanitarian aid agencies produced by a group of major humanitarian NGOs led by British-based medical relief agency Merlin. It draws on advice from a wide range of international and intergovernmental organisations and from British government services and departments including the armed services.

The first section of the book covers the strategic, tactical and operational management of CBRNE disasters, including field safety and psychosocial support. The second provides detailed information on the different types of hazard including such topics as how the agents can be disseminated, the health effects and how casualties should be managed.

The final part covers resources, with topics including protective equipment, decontamination procedures, medical protocols, a directory of organisations and conventions and a set of quick reference cards covering the salient points.

This is a valuable book, helping those who could come up against CBRNE threats to plan properly in advance and provide appropriate humanitarian assistance to civilian populations who may be affected.

Designed primarily for NGOs, it will also prove useful to those in industry and governmental agencies who have to plan for these events.

Merlin and its collaborators -- particularly writer and editor Anthea Sanyasi – have identified a real need and produced a “must-have” book for the field libraries of humanitarian agencies working in disaster zones throughout the world.

Any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Reuters.