The first expert mission to Ethiopia, in the frame of the CoE Project 60, took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 11 to 15 June 2018. The meetings were held in the Ethiopia Radiation Protection Agency (ERPA) premises. All of the relevant ERPA staff was available at any time for discussions. The other stakeholders were invited as required.
In the opening presentation, Mr. Solomon Getachew, Director General of ERPA made an overview of the radiation protection infrastructure, legal and regulatory framework and management of radioactive sources in Ethiopia. The new Proclamation (Law) on safety and security of radioactive sources, approved in 2017, established the ERPA, under the Ministry of Science & Technology. ERPA initiated the development or updating of all nuclear security related regulations. An assistance in review of some of them in the frame of the Project 60 was requested.
Ethiopia is not yet a party in nuclear security Conventions including CPPNM and its 2005 Amendment. Nevertheless, ERPA has active international cooperation (e.g. Forum of the Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), bilateral agreements with US DoE). Also, the discussions with neighboring countries (Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti) on border control, information and experience sharing, etc. are ongoing. Significant steps were taken to improve the cooperation between EPRA and the main national nuclear security stakeholders including the Customs and Revenues Authority, the Police, the Ministry of Transport, the Airport Security, etc.
There is significant progress in security of high-level radioactive sources and in control of illicit trafficking. Physical protection of radioactive sources, security measures designed by DoE NNSA (through the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) program) are applied to all highly active radioactive sources. The Customs control has been improved on the main seaport line to Djibouti where cargo screening Linac systems are installed. The fixed and portable Linacs will be installed soon at most important border crossings.
The temporary storage of the disused radioactive sources and waste treatment was visited and assessed. The security arrangements were discussed.
Available radiation detection and isotope identification equipment, its use and working conditions as well as the need for the additional new RN equipment required to enhance the nuclear security of radioactive sources in the country, were discussed during the visit to the equipment storage. Support in the installation and use of the RAIS 3.4 system is needed. ERPA has prepared draft National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, through a consultative process with stakeholders. It is a stand-alone plan for response to radiological emergencies without consideration of the other emergencies.