The first cohort of the Women in Leadership – Navigating Turbulent Times course has successfully concluded with participants reporting increased confidence levels.

Bringing together women leaders from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Türkiye, representing international and local NGOs, the six-session online programme was designed with peer coaching in mind.

The programme is a new initiative delivered by Coach Mentoring Ltd in partnership with the HLA. Its aim is to equip women leaders in the humanitarian and development sectors with practical tools for adaptive leadership, emotional intelligence, and fostering resilience in complex humanitarian settings.

Despite the challenges of navigating uncertain contexts, eight participants graduated, having actively engaged in sessions and shared valuable reflections. Participants expressed appreciation for the programme’s supportive, reflective space and the opportunity to connect with other women facing similar challenges.

The diverse cohort highlighted the value of peer coaching, the richness of diverse perspectives, and the practical application of adaptive leadership techniques.

Participants praised this supportive initiative and reported renewed confidence in their leadership capabilities:

“What I enjoyed most was the open and supportive environment. It felt like a space where I could pause, reflect, and hear from others navigating uncertainty.”

“Meeting women from different countries with diverse backgrounds made the journey rich and insightful.”

“Resilient leadership is grounded in purpose, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. Staying connected to my ‘why’ is critical in high-pressure contexts.”

Lydia Sparrow, Senior Consultant at Coach Mentoring said:

“This programme has been a powerful reminder of the strength of these women that comes from shared learning and community support. We look forward to witnessing how these incredible women continue to thrive and inspire others in their leadership journeys.”

With three more cohorts currently underway, the programme continues to provide a vital platform for women leaders to connect, learn, and strengthen their impact in the humanitarian sector.

Find out more

For more information about the Women in Leadership Network. This Network has been set up to create a community of discovery, development and support for women leaders.

Please note this is a network for women only, including those who identify as women.

HLA partnered with Save the Children International – Türkiye Country Office to deliver a workshop for youth from Syria and Turkey in Gaziantep this April.

There are over 1.9 billion young people in the world, many of whom live in places affected by conflict, disasters, or other challenges.

The Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) works with young people not just as leaders of the future – but as people already helping their communities today during crises. It is based on this principle, that HLA created this workshop to support youth who want to make a difference.

As a follow up to a series of interactions with young people in the region and across the globe, and with evidence and research collected from youth initiatives held with partners; HLA developed the workshop – the first of its kind – focused on youth to allow for more youth and youth representatives to participate and think about how they can lead in their community before, during, and after emergencies.

“We worked through practical tools, peer support models, and the kind of leadership that’s grounded in ethics, inclusion, and action. And maybe most importantly — we paused to ask ourselves: Why do we do this work? That space to reflect honestly, both individually and as a group, stayed with me.” – Merve Mengüllüoğlu, a social worker and participant in the workshop.

Out of over 300 dedicated young people who expressed interest in the workshop, 28 were selected from across the Middle East and North Africa region bringing together a unique mix of youth, local organisations supporting youth leadership in crisis settings, and community leaders committed to strengthening humanitarian action.

The workshop was hosted in Gaziantep and delivered in three languages ensuring an inclusive space for collaboration, and cross-border learning. These meaningful conversations emphasized the urgent need to convene at the heart of where communities are rebuilding and preparing for the future – a need the HLA is primed to fill.

Understanding Youth Leadership in Humanitarian Contexts

Youth are not just future leaders—they are already leading change in crisis-affected communities. Real youth leadership goes beyond participation; it means taking the lead in shaping decisions, driving action, and creating lasting solutions. By supporting youth with the tools, space, and support to lead, we strengthen not just communities—but the future of humanitarian response.

During the workshop, facilitators and participants explored six key steps to strengthen youth leadership in humanitarian response. They are:

1.              Engage Youth Early – Reach out where they are: schools, communities, online spaces.

2.              Build Skills – Offer training, mentorship, and learning opportunities.

3.              Break Barriers – Tackle age bias, lack of resources, and limited access to decision-making.

4.              Support Youth-led Action – Let young people co-design and lead projects.

5.              Prepare Together – Involve youth in early warning systems and resilience planning.

6.              Celebrate & Scale Impact – Recognize success and expand what works.

“…I came here to help my community be strong no matter their story”

Reflecting on her participation, Merve shared:  
“For me, this process sparked immediate steps. In the first 48 hours, I’ve already begun putting my commitments into motion — sharing key takeaways with my team, and exploring how we can more intentionally support young people in stepping into leadership roles.”

For one of the participants, the workshop offered more than connection and collaboration, she shared: “When the war started in Syria, I was 12 – I lived in a refugee camp for a few years. My childhood and teenage years were so hard. I had lots of needs, but people didn’t listen, they would give us food and clothes, but they didn’t hear me. I am now 25 and I found a job working as a humanitarian worker.

“I know what it means to have a hard childhood, and I am determined in my role that I can help these children and youth make decisions and provide more for them than just a physical need. I believe that we must use these skills today to go out there and help more youth have a voice. They will not just want to give out food, but they will want to build a community and society where people can have hope. That is why I came here to help my community be strong no matter their story.”

Tasnim Fallaha, a midwife and humanitarian worker who attended the workshop also shared her experience: “What stood out to me was how humanitarian principles were integrated into real-life scenarios, offering a deeper understanding of how to apply them in the field.

Another young female participant from Turkey said: “I’m walking away with a full backpack: filled with new knowledge, meaningful reflections, and inspiring people. From risk mapping and emergency planning to identifying barriers to youth leadership, the content was both thought-provoking and practical.”

Huseyin Arslan, humanitarian expert and workshop co-facilitator said: “This initiative brought together passionate young leaders, equipping them with the skills, mindset, and tools needed to lead with purpose and impact in their communities and beyond – reflecting HLA’s deep commitment to nurturing youth-led change in the response; and continuous investment in youth leadership across the region.”

Deb Barry, co-facilitator of the workshop and designer for the youth leadership work in the MENA region also shared her reflections, saying:

“It’s been great to see this group come together, many of them had never met each other but they trusted each other in that space. Each person showed up with courage, heart, and hope. We didn’t just talk about youth leadership—we lived it, through powerful stories of survival, strength, and service.

“From the young man who shared his journey from a refugee camp to becoming a humanitarian, to the young woman who left with a “backpack full” of knowledge and purpose, this workshop reminded me why youth voices matter. I am so grateful for the honesty, the laughter, learning and the vision they shared. It’s clear: these young leaders are ready—not just to respond to crisis, but to build something better.“

This workshop was enabled by teams across the HLA global team and Save the Children in Türkiye with funding support from the DEC.

After a brief holiday break, our team in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Regional Centre is ready to continue doing an amazing job delivering various trainings and providing support to humanitarians in the region.

The last quarter of 2024 started with the success of the HX Gaziantep Locally-Led Humanitarian Action conference. More than 200 people representing local Turkish and Syrian NGOs, the UN and governmental agencies attended the conference to build connections, discuss challenges, and exchange best practices. Their positive feedback and appreciation inspire and motivate us to keep creating convening spaces and providing platforms for local voices to be heard.

Delivering learning opportunities

During the last quarter, our MENA team delivered 8 in-person training sessions attended by 174 people involved in humanitarian action in the region. In total, 900 individuals participated in our training sessions throughout 2024.

The trainings were tailored to the needs of local humanitarians and covered essential topics for an effective response, including Humanitarian Operations Programme (HOP), WASH Programming in Emergencies, Crisis Management, Organisational Governance & Structure Training, Education in Emergencies, Finance, Supply Chain, Programme Management Methodology, and more.

Surge Capacity Strengthening Programme

Under the Surge Capacity Strengthening Programme and in partnership with the Aid Fund for Northern Syria (AFNS), we provided Process Consultancy for five Syrian organisations to help them overcome the challenges they face. We engaged experienced senior humanitarian leaders to closely work with and support local leaders in making strategic decisions and enhancing processes. In November, the second Process Consultancy cohort was concluded, with ten more experts ready to provide support to the local organisations.

We have also started the Core Coaching Skills training programme for humanitarian leaders from Türkiye and Syria who want to enhance their leadership skills, cultivate self-awareness, and foster an environment conducive to critical thinking and support. We have finalised the first cohort and now the second cohort is ongoing.

We continue working to set up a roster of coaches, process consultants and digital experts. Preparations are complete to launch a pilot program aimed at assessing, testing, and informing the long-term feasibility and sustainability of the initiative.

Syria Response page

In response to the recent developments in Syria, we created a Syria Response page available in Arabic and English. The page provides resources that are essential to the response such as child protection, security and safety in the field, and more.

We look forward to providing more support to humanitarians in the region in 2025, starting with Crisis Management and MEAL trainings in January.

The Locally-led Humanitarian Action Conference (HX Gaziantep), held on 14 – 16 October in Gaziantep, Türkiye, created a convening space and fostered dialogue in the Turkish and Syrian humanitarian community.

Organised by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) in collaboration with Save the Children International Türkiye Country Office and Save the Children International Syria Response Office, the event aimed to cultivate locally-led conversations. More than 200 people representing local Turkish and Syrian NGOs, the UN and governmental agencies, attended the conference to build connections, talk about challenges, and exchange best practices.

We opened the event with a plenary session on locally-led action, setting the mood for the three days and outlining the main topics of the sessions and discussions ahead, including capacity building, implementing effective localisation strategies, humanitarian leadership, partnerships and collaborations. Attendees proceeded to the selected sessions delivered in breakout rooms in English, Turkish, and Arabic. All the sessions provided time for questions, discussions, and exchange of experiences.

The exhibition space encouraged participants to learn more about each other’s work, share achievements, exchange contacts and build connections. With participants actively engaging in sessions and networking, the venue was filled with inspiring energy.

The next day, the event picked up with 15 sessions on local capacity strengthening, ecosystem mapping, innovation in humanitarian response, child participation, funding, empowering local healthcare authorities, to only name a few.

Başak Atalay, Partnership Officer at Save the Children International Türkiye Country Office, shares:

– From today’s sessions, we learned that the localisation process not only strengthens local NGOs but also solidifies international partnerships. The collaboration between local and international stakeholders leads to more effective and sustainable solutions.

Hashem Sammu, Program Operations Coordinator at Save the Children International Syria Response Office, highlights:

– I co-facilitated a Capacity sharing vs. Capacity draining session where we explored different aspects that can help local NGOs build their capacity as well as challenges and barriers to improvement.
Bringing together INGOs and local NGOs helped to share the different expertise of the participants to build better responses for future projects and share success stories and lessons learned.

The sessions of the final day addressed various topics including partnerships, funding access for local organisations, local participation, coordination structures and response architecture. Experts from local organisations and INGOs operating in the region, including the HLA and Save the Children, led these discussions throughout the event (you can find the full list of organisations here). After the closing session, our colleagues conducted a quick live survey, to collect the first feedback. According to it, the participants appreciated sessions on localisation focused on partnerships and capacity strengthening the most and are keen to hear more about leadership, sustainability, and innovations in the future.

The event achieved its goal of providing a platform for local voices to be heard, and we gathered valuable insights on capacity strengthening, local participation, partnerships and collaboration from the perspective and expertise of Turkish and Syrian humanitarian actors.

As participants mentioned that it was “a true representation of localisation in action”, we thank everyone who attended and contributed to the Locally-led Humanitarian Action Conference.

Deb Barry, Head of Learning & Capability at the HLA reflects:

– I knew at the end of the first day that this had been a great start, but hearing such positive direct feedback today really did inspire me and help me see the greater importance of not only the topic but, even more so, the power of going away from the capital cities to the heart of where the response is.

The inaugural Humanitarian Xchange (HX24) event was held on 20 February in London, UK and was named Best Charity Event/Event for Positive Change in the Conference and Event Awards. We look forward to building on what we have learned from these two events as we continue to create spaces for local humanitarian actors to convene for learning and connecting. We plan to organise HX events in various regions – watch this space for updates!

On 14 August, the HLA, in collaboration with Save the Children International Egypt Country Office, conducted a pilot workshop in Cairo Resilient Responder: from Stress to Strength – Staff Wellbeing in Humanitarian Work. 56 local actors from Save the Children International, local and international NGOs, the UN and Government agencies involved in responses across Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, and Gaza attended this workshop. With the levels of stress and burnout among humanitarian workers responding to crises in the region extremely high, the workshop aimed to foster an environment of mutual support and experience exchange, enhancing resilience and wellbeing.

Elaf Ahmed Shanab, Medical Doctor in Training, shared:

– This initiative shed light on a common issue that tends to pass unaddressed in this line of work – the unmatched work stress of humanitarians of all disciplines. Through the ongoing tragedies and our active humanitarian responses towards both the ongoing Sudanese and Gaza crises, we are facing what can be referred to as “secondary traumatisation” due to the sensitivity of the cases encountered, along with “compassion fatigue” and burnout while trying our best to serve disadvantaged communities.

Throughout my journey, I have come to recognise peer support as an integral primal method of maintaining a healthy environment for productivity. From this workshop, I gained new perspectives while networking with amazing staff from all around the world, sharing the same values and serving the same purpose!

Mohamed Ashraf Mohamed, Facilitator on the youth and adolescent component, Save the Children, added:

– My major area of stress is that I feel I am not qualified to provide psychological support, notably when I have participants who are survivors of wars such as Gaza and Sudan, and I feel that they are unable to focus, participate or engage due to the current circumstances in their countries.

The workshop covered Introduction to Coaching, Peer Support, Education in Emergencies, Resilience, and Self-care. These focus areas were chosen based on needs assessments conducted with our colleagues in the Save the Children Egypt Country Office. Local actors respond to multiple types of crises, including in-country refugee response and conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, and most of the participants shared that they experience a lot of stress and don’t feel like they have enough time to take care of their wellbeing. The workshop provided a valuable space for participants to engage and connect with one another, drawing on the expertise of HLA colleagues who led the sessions.

Pawel Mania, Deputy Director, Impact & Influence, the HLA, said:

– It has been an incredibly rewarding yet humbling experience. Our colleagues in Egypt are navigating extremely challenging circumstances, with some of the most significant humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza and Sudan at their borders. While this workshop is just a drop in the ocean of the needs organisations face in Egypt, it was heartening to see such a positive response and a high level of engagement despite the difficult conditions.

Tasneem Arafa, working on the youth component at Save the Children Egypt, highlighted:

– I find stress accumulating over time. I really enjoyed the workshop, especially [the session] about coaching with others. The drama triangle helped me to realise how to deal with daily stressors.

Participants expressed positive feedback, underlining the importance of regular wellbeing and stress resilience sessions accessible to staff in the region. Some of them mentioned that it was the first workshop focusing on humanitarian workers’ wellbeing they had ever attended and expressed willingness to share the new knowledge they gained with their colleagues and peers.

The HLA plans to deliver more wellbeing sessions as part of our SHIFT programme in the Türkiye-Syria earthquake response.

You can access free online wellbeing resources on Kaya:

Wellness and Resilience for Frontline Workers and Managers

Staff and Partner Wellbeing in the Workplace

Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Adolescents Affected by Conflict

On 5-9 August, in partnership with Save the Children International Türkiye Country Office, we organised Education in Emergencies (EiE) Fundamentals training in Istanbul. 21 practitioners representing local and international NGOs took part in the training. EiE Fundamentals training aimed to equip local educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide sustainable and effective educational support for displaced populations. It was also aligned with the priorities identified by UNICEF Education Cluster Coordinator to meet the needs on the ground.

Ayse Kapukaya, Education Officer at UNICEF, shares:

– The participants have a basic understanding of Education in Emergencies (EiE), but they lack familiarity with certain essential tools, such as the problem and solution tree methodology, which they have not had the opportunity to practice. This training is valuable because it not only provides them with the necessary knowledge but also helps them understand how it applies to their work. Most of them are more involved in planning rather than the actual implementation of projects. Since no other organisation offers such specialised training, it’s crucial to build this knowledge base systematically and set standards for the field. The INEE [Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies] website offers resources they can use to enhance their practice.

As many families displaced by the earthquake have relocated to Istanbul, creating a significant need for emergency education support in the city, it was crucial to deliver this intervention. The learning needs assessment done by UNICEF revealed that local teachers and educational practitioners need deeper understanding of the concepts and models related to education in emergencies, as well as more knowledge in mental health and psychosocial support, especially in dealing with children affected by trauma.

The participants received comprehensive guidance and practical tools to enable them to support students effectively during crises, which covered such topics as the implementation of emergency education frameworks, effective response strategies, and the adaptation of educational practices to crises. The training also focused on cross-sectoral collaboration and capacity strengthening. The facilitators underlined the importance of more interventions across the country and systemic changes for sustainable and long-lasting effects. 

Ayse Kapukaya, Education Officer at UNICEF, says:

– It would be beneficial to replicate this training in different regions, especially in Ankara, due to its proximity to ministries and the presence of numerous NGOs with headquarters and bases there, which could amplify the training’s impact.

Eyup Ural, Programme Coordinator at Alliance of International Doctors in Istanbul, highlights:

– Considerations for improvement include enhancing the education system, implementing more system-strengthening programmes, and advocating for curriculum and teaching methodology changes. There is significant change underway, and many people are optimistic about the future of SEL [Social Emotional Learning].

Rafka Daoud, the HLA’s EiE Professional development Programme Regional Manager in Middle East & North Africa, sums up:

– The recent influx of families displaced by the earthquake into Istanbul has significantly increased the demand for emergency education support in the city. To effectively meet the educational needs of these displaced communities, it’s crucial to provide fundamental training for the staff of local NGOs in Istanbul. Building their capacity through this training will enable these organisations to deliver timely and appropriate support. 
The training aligns with the requests and priorities of the UNICEF cluster coordinator, ensuring that efforts are coordinated and responsive to the needs on the ground. By equipping local staff with the necessary skills and knowledge, the training contributes to sustainable and effective educational support for displaced populations, benefiting the community in the long run. 

Find out more about Education in Emergencies (EiE)

On July 29 – August 1, our team in the Middle East & North Africa Regional Centre delivered Safeguarding training in Gaziantep, Türkiye. It was conducted in Turkish with the support of a local facilitator and in cooperation with Save the Children Türkiye Country Office. Over the four days, the training covered essential safeguarding topics such as policy development, risk assessments, awareness raising, and reporting mechanisms.

It was an incredible experience working with dedicated professionals to enhance our safeguarding practices. We engaged in practical activities like creating and critiquing safeguarding policies, designing reporting systems, and developing outreach plans for different audiences.

21 people, representing 19 local NGOs and two governmental agencies, attended the training. The participants shared positive feedback, underlining its importance for various types of organisations and practitioners working in healthcare and education.

The participants and facilitators also highlighted using a VR application to simulate receiving a safeguarding concern. The Safeguarding VR training tool from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (developed in collaboration with BODYSWAPS®) was utilised to create an immersive experience for addressing safeguarding concerns and incidents and to practice writing an investigation Terms of Reference (ToR) for the case. The participants found this aspect of the training both unique and highly beneficial.

You can access the Safeguarding VR training on Kaya.

Locally-led learning was in action in Hatay, Türkiye as Pikolo Association – an organisation established in Ordu, Türkiye led a one-day capacity strengthening workshop on Intervention Strategies for Child Labor in Seasonal Agricultural Work.

The workshop focused on transfer of experience within the framework of localisation; sharing lessons learned from projects by Pikolo carried out within the scope of child labour, child protection and holistic well-being, including the general situation of children in Hatay after the earthquake.

30 participants from government, local as well as international NGOs working in Türkiye attended. The workshop was supported by Save the Children Türkiye and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy MENA team.

Speaking on organising, planning and executing the workshop Rim Eda Renda, a Psychologist at Pikolo said:

“It is very nice to have different organisations together. We learn who is doing what in the field. We can stay up to date about the projects. We learned each other’s strengths. There has been solidarity between the public and NGOs and our sympathy for each other has increased. We also learned about how the public sector works on the child labour issue. We also learned things we did not know about child labour in the presentations.”

Rising from identified need while providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and child protection programmes, the Pikolo team curated the workshop as a learning/ideas exchange to share experience on implemented projects. The workshop also covered Introduction of Minimum Standards in Child Protection and Violations of Rights in Child Labor.

Public authorities and institutions, local NGOs, child protection specialists and high-level officers in family, education and social affairs in the region were fully engaged in the workshop as there was a heavy focus on collaboration towards solutions, coordination and partnership to prevent child labour in the province and throughout Türkiye.

Gizem Yıldırım, MHPSS Coordinator at Pikolo said:

“The participation of the public sector was very valuable. We were very happy that the public representatives listened to us. We were able to quickly learn the information we obtained by conducting a needs analysis from the mouths of public officials.”

This locally led initiative helped to spread the word about child labour in addition to inspiring attendees to partner and collaborate.

Lale Nesil, a participant from Habitat said:

“It was a very important and useful meeting, especially in [the context of} Antakya. We as Habitat were very happy that there were people from the Ministry of Education and different public institutions.”

Mehmet Kurt from ACTED also expressed that:

“Associations are aware of each other thanks to these meetings. We have the opportunity to think about what we have done or what we can do. We learn about each other’s projects and it allows us to establish partnerships in the future.”

Save the Children Türkiye Country Office supported the design and implementation of this training – being the first of its kind in the region– initiated by a local organisation, co-designed with Save the Children, and supported by HLA.

Başak Atalay, Partnership Officer at Save the Children Türkiye expressed:

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to organise and participate in the workshop. The event was very important, bringing together diverse organisations and public sector representatives to share knowledge and best practices. 

As Save the Children Türkiye Country Office, while continuing to support our partners under the localisation strategy, the collaboration of Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) has truly enhanced our efforts to combat child labour.

With active participation from NGOs and public institutions, we had a rich exchange of ideas that improved our intervention strategies with effective follow-up systems and referral mechanisms. The rich engagement and coordination built during this workshop have strengthened our network, enabling us to better identify and address the immediate and long-term needs of children, especially in the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Southeast of Türkiye. Thanks to HLA for supporting our efforts.”

Bdour Ghousheh, HLA MENA Regional Lead shared:

“HLA’s core pillars are to support leadership, strengthen community resilience and strengthen technical expertise. This workshop organised and run by local organisations for improving learning and sharing experiences covers all three pillars and is in line with HLA’s mission to support locally led learning.

We are proud to support this work and look forward to seeing the seeds sown flourish across the region in addressing children’s needs. Thanks to all the organisations that participated in the workshop, to Pikolo for this initiative and to Save the Children Türkiye Country Office for continued strengthened partnership.”

The workshop outcomes will feed into future strategy for Save the Children Türkiye Country Office. With further support and identified need, the workshop could be replicated in other provinces across the region.

Following the HLA’s holistic approach in supporting local communities in responding to crises, our Middle East & North Africa regional team provides various trainings in the region. During the last two months, our colleagues delivered trainings covering topics such as crisis management, child protection in humanitarian action, education in emergencies, project management, managerial wellbeing and resilience and more to local humanitarians. We had a catch-up with the team to hear about the trainings, a new capacity-strengthening programme that the HLA is rolling out in the region right now, and the plans ahead.  

Q&A with:

• Bdour Ghousheh, HLA Regional Lead in Middle East & North Africa 
• Rafka Daoud, Education in Emergencies Professional Development Programme Regional Manager 
• Fatima Zureigat, Regional Capacity Building Programme Manager 
• Salma Babban, Global HLA Translation Manager 

O: Bdour, I would like to start by asking you to tell us a little about your team and how you stay effective and coordinated while working on multiple programmes in different countries.  

Bdour: Thanks, Oksana. I manage a diverse team of five colleagues based in Jordan, Türkiye, and Lebanon. We ensure everyone is informed about our partners’ and country offices’ emerging needs and priorities. We then coordinate responsibilities to maintain a complementary and efficient workflow. Our flexibility enables us to effectively tackle urgent and unplanned challenges. 

O: It is difficult to overestimate the importance of staff wellbeing for a healthy and productive work environment. Tell us about the remote session on Staff Wellbeing. 

Bdour: Staff wellbeing is crucial, especially during times of hardship. For instance, the February 2023 earthquake added significant stress on local Turkish organisations as they responded to the crisis. Our role at the HLA is to provide guidance on the importance of staff wellbeing, an aspect often overlooked in such situations. We facilitated a remote session for the organisations actively involved in crisis response, incorporating practical, hands-on activities that senior management can implement for staff wellbeing. This session aimed to ensure that staff wellbeing is prioritised and integrated into the organisational response to crises. 

O: Fatima, at the beginning of May, you organised and co-facilitated the Project Management training in Ankara in collaboration with Save the Children International. Twenty people from Turkish Local Government and local NGOs took part in this training and received project management planning and implementation methodology and tools. Can you share the plans to follow up on how this training increased local NGOs’ access to funding to sustain their support to the local community? 

Fatima: HLA MENA team is providing capacity-strengthening support to partners in Türkiye in different areas. We started with a learning needs assessment (LNA) which was conducted in collaboration with Save the Children International Türkiye Country Office and resulted in 6 main prioritised areas. The LNA was followed up by several meetings with the Partnership Team to identify and agree on the most needed trainings and the areas which will need to be followed by an action plan.  

Project management was identified as one of the essential areas. After the training was delivered in May, the Action plan for partners is to utilise the provided project management resources and tools within their organisations. Through the Save the Children Türkiye Country Office Partnership Team, we will follow up on the progress in a six-month evaluation starting from June 2024.  

Completing this course also enabled the participants to sign up for the Project D Pro certification.  

Our team is planning to provide trainings on fundraising, proposal writing, and grants management to the Save the Children International Türkiye Country Office local partners to increase their access to funding opportunities.   

O: Rafka, in coordination with Save the Children International Egypt Country Office, you have delivered Education in Emergencies (EiE) Fundamentals training in Cairo. 26 employees of local NGOs and local staff of international organisations operating in the country took part in this training. As you have vast experience in delivering EiE training, can you share how this one was adapted for the participants’ needs and what made it different/special? 

Rafka: The Education in Emergencies (EiE) training is designed to address the unique challenges of providing education during crises. While there is a programme to follow, trainers adapt practical activities within each module to the context, tailoring the training to the country-specific emergency setting. To be able to adjust the training activities, reflection was made to understand the Sudan refugees situation, and the different EiE programmes implemented in this country. Worth mentioning that the facilitators who supported the delivery of this training are local EiE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Graduates.   

O: There was also an additional Education in Emergencies Technical and Operational Preparedness for Rapid Response training in Egypt. Tell us about this extra one-day training. 

Rafka: Preparedness Day was first implemented in our region. It was an extra day following the EiE Fundamentals to help the participants put this learning into practice. It also created a space to reflect on their own practices in planning for emergency settings and find areas of improvement. 

This training focused on strengthening preparedness for EiE in the context of Egypt specifically. Preparedness is essential to respond more efficiently and effectively in times of crisis, to ensure children’s learning continuity, to enable their protection, wellbeing, and safety, and to support access to other lifesaving services through learning spaces, such as provision of food, clean water, and health information. 

O: You also recently delivered two trainings in Iraq. One of them, Governance & Structure course, was just piloted. Fatima, could you tell us about this new programme? 

Fatima: The Governance & Structure course was designed by our team in collaboration with Humane Consultancy Firm. This 4-day course aims to provide valuable insights, useful tools, and practical strategies to optimise organisational governance and structure. 20 representatives of local organisations attended the training to learn how to make processes clearer, more efficient, and sustainable, and become a confident leader ready to make a difference. Participants shared very positive feedback and highlighted the usefulness of the decision-making tool. According to the action plan agreed with Save the Children International Iraq Country Office, they will further cascade this learning within their organisations.  

 

O: Salma, I would like to ask you about the Crisis Management trainings. One was earlier delivered in Amman, Jordan, to 22 local staff of Save the Children International and the HLA. Can you tell us about Introduction to Crisis Management Training which was delivered together with Save the Children International Iraq Country Office to 20 participants from local NGOs and government.  

Salma: This 2-day training enhances organisational readiness and capacity to respond efficiently and effectively to humanitarian emergencies while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of both responders and affected communities. The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to mitigate risks, coordinate response efforts, and assistance to affected populations during times of crisis. The training in Amman was followed up by Training of Trainers (ToT). In both these cases, we delivered the training in Arabic.  Participants shared very positive feedback and highlighted the usefulness of the Crisis Preparedness Plan tool, which helps them develop and implement Crisis preparedness plans for their institutions and organisations. 

 

O: In April, the HLA, in partnership with Save the Children Türkiye, UNICEF Türkiye, the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (ACPHA) and the Child Protection Areas of Responsibility (AoRs) for Türkiye and North West Syria, jointly delivered the CPHA Training of Trainers (ToT) for 34 child protection practitioners, mainly from local and national organisations working in earthquake-affected areas of Türkiye and North-West Syria. (More about it here: Child Protection in Humanitarian Action Training of Trainers in Gaziantep) Bdour, tell us more about cooperating and collaborating with various actors in the region to better address learning needs.

Bdour: It is always very important to consult with all stakeholders before designing any initiative. We do this as a first step by communicating with all local actors: clusters, working groups, NGO forums, and our country offices and partners. We get a more in-depth idea of the needs by conducting consultations, focus group discussions, and surveys. We usually deliver joint activities with the key stakeholders such as UNICEF, the Alliance, and relevant local clusters. 

O: This leads me to the next exciting topic. As Surge Capacity Strengthening Programme started in Türkiye and Syria, you have now shortlisted candidates for the Core Coaching Skills Programme which offers online sessions for local humanitarians who aspire to coach their colleagues. Can you tell us a bit more about this part of the programme and maybe a little bit about the participants? 

Bdour: Coaching Skills Programme was tailored for local humanitarian leaders in Türkiye and Syria. This initiative is designed for passionate humanitarian leaders eager to enhance their leadership skills, cultivate self-awareness, and foster an environment conducive to critical thinking and support. We have shortlisted 12 local leaders from both Türkiye and Syria contexts. The online training sessions provide practical and hands-on tools for effective mentoring and coaching practices that can be utilised on the local organisation level. 

O: The programme also includes Sustaining Resilience at Work and Trauma Management trainings which are planned for the end of summer and autumn. According to the plan, we expect about a hundred people to take part in these sessions. Can you explain the difference between these two training programmes and give some details about what the participants will learn? 

Bdour: Due to the difficult situation our region has been facing we realised the importance of holding these trainings for Türkiye and Syria contexts. These sets of trainings will cover different topics such as wellbeing and resilience in the workplace, how to conduct wellbeing conversations, using active listening, workplace stress management, as well as referrals and accessing treatments. It is crucial for people working in humanitarian sector to be able to spot and unpack signs of distress and trauma that may go unnoticed. 
  

O: Your team is also working on another new offer for humanitarian actors in Türkiye and Syria. Do you want to make an announcement? 

Bdour: Yes, we are excited to announce the upcoming Convening space for local Syrian and Turkish organisations In October 2024! The HLA MENA Regional Center will be hosting a convening event, with a focus on the Turkish and Syrian responses. This event, spanning two and a half days, will serve as a dynamic platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Led by local actors and supported and facilitated by the HLA, as well as the Turkish and Syrian Save the Children International country offices, these events are designed to cultivate networking and connections among local actors, international organisations, donors, clusters, and working groups. 

Throughout this event, local actors will have the opportunity to showcase their successes, share best practices and insights while also addressing the challenges the humanitarian sector in Turkey and Syria faces. Attendees can anticipate a wide range of capacity-sharing activities, including mini-workshops, panel discussions, and presentations. 

This event will be held in-person in Gaziantep, Türkiye, with translations provided in Arabic and Turkish. Additionally, to ensure inclusivity and accessibility, online sessions will be available for participants facing accessibility challenges in other locations such as Northeast Syria and government-controlled areas. 

So, stay tuned! 

A new suite of supply chain courses is now available for humanitarians to access for free on Kaya.

Save the Children International has partnered with HELP Logistics and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy with support from Amazon to create six versatile courses within this digital masterclass, that cover key supply chain fundamentals.

Megan Bassford, Global Head of Supply Chain Planning and Capability at Save the Children International said: “We’re excited to have partnered with HELP Logistics and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy with support from Amazon to launch these high-quality courses.  The supply chain masterclass will strengthen knowledge in supply chain management across our sector. The courses are designed to cater to various levels of experience from new entrants to leaders in the area of supply chain management within the humanitarian sector, as well as to mid and senior level humanitarians in different functions including Programmes, Finance and Award Management.”

James Maltby, Head of Digital Learning at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy said: “The supply chain masterclass is an excellent addition to the plethora of resources available to our learners on Kaya. The courses are easy to access and navigate. We’re excited that over 718,000 learners on Kaya now have this additional resource to learn with and share on their networks. We hope that more humanitarians will take advantage of this training series.”

This is an interactive, self-taught, free training series of best practices and innovative concepts in supply chain for the humanitarian and development sectors.

The courses have been developed based on content from Save the Children’s over 100 years of delivering goods and services in crisis situations with HELP Logistics, a major player whose mission is to be a catalyst for transferring supply chain and logistics knowledge to improve the lives, and economic potential of vulnerable people and communities.

Participants in these courses can expect to gain or build knowledge through the following topics:                                                                        

1. Unlocking the supply chain: a guide for non-supply chain staff

2. A step-by-step journey into supply chain planning

3. Embedding sustainability into end-to-end supply chains

4. Warehouse management in action

5. Mastering asset management

6. The essentials of Good Distribution Practice

CLICK on the links above to view the courses.

The courses are free and available on Kaya. The supply chain masterclass courses are also available on DisasterReady and HELP Logistics learning platform.

Earlier this month, our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Centre team delivered two trainings in Gaziantep, Türkiye.

The Introduction to Crisis Management training, which has been piloted in Jordan in January this year, was organised in partnership with Save the Children Syria Response Office. This training targeted staff less experienced in the humanitarian sector aiming to develop their skills in the basics of dealing with unexpected crises. It was delivered in Arabic to 20 participants from local Syrian NGOs.

The training brought a clear understanding of crisis management definition, types, stages, and preparedness planning. The participants engaged in discussions of their reflections and lessons learned from previous crisis responses. We also used scenarios to deepen their understanding of other aspects of crisis management. I was thrilled to see the impact this training had on them.

We saw the importance of crisis management planning and coordination between local NGOs, INGOs and local authorities while dealing with crises caused by the war in Syria and by the earthquake. This training was great to improve our preparedness. Thanks a million!

The Education in Emergencies (EiE) Fundamentals training was mostly focused on the response in Türkiye and was coordinated with SCI Türkiye Country Office and the UNICEF cluster coordinator. It was delivered in Turkish to 20 Participants, both Turkish and Syrian, representing local and international organisations from Educational Working Group (EWG) in Gaziantep. Rafka Daoud, HLA’s EiE PDP Regional Manager, highlights that the training not only provided the essential knowledge but also fostered positive interactions between Turkish and Syrian participants:

The significance of EIE in Türkiye’s response cannot be overstated. As the country navigates complex challenges and responds to humanitarian crises, effective education in emergencies plays a pivotal role in supporting the needs of affected populations. By equipping participants with essential skills and knowledge, the training not only enhances individual capacities but also strengthens the collective response to educational needs in the region. This collaborative approach between Turkish and Syrian participants not only encouraged understanding and cooperation but also contributed to building more resilient communities amidst adversity.

The training covered a wide range of fundamental education in emergencies topics such as concepts, frameworks, cross-cutting issues and approaches. The participants learnt how to assess, analyse and design learning processes and improve the outcomes. The training also covered physical and psychological protection and wellbeing. Moreover, the participants explored how to engage and support parents and improve coordination within the education system.

The training extensively enabled participants to have a better understanding of how to design and implement an EiE response in a disaster and conflict context. The participants got a clearer vision on how to implement some of the EiE content to the current Türkiye context linked with the earthquake and refugee response. The peer-to-peer sharing about current practices and working in groups on how to achieve more was another inspiring learning practice for the participants.

The training’s emphasis on interactive activities contributed to creating a conducive learning environment and fruitful learning experiences. The participants eagerly engaged in activities and communication, highlighting the newfound energy to apply the new knowledge and insights to their work.

Our commitment to localisation was not only reflected in the delivery of the EiE training in Turkish but also in having local facilitators conduct the sessions, all of whom were graduates of the HLA’s EiE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programme.

The HLA is reflecting on the successful delivery of its second education in emergencies (EiE) training programme in Yemen this year, thanks to its strong partnership with the Yemen Education Cluster.

In August, colleagues from the HLA’s Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe (MENAEE) Regional Centre based in Jordan worked closely with the Yemen Education Cluster to successfully deliver a five-day face-to-face Education in Emergencies (EiE) Fundamentals programme in the city of Sana’a.

This achievement builds on the strong foundations laid by the HLA’s EiE Fundamentals training in Aden, Yemen earlier in the same month.

Collaboration with Yemen Education Cluster

The Yemen Education Cluster works towards a well-coordinated and timely response to meet the need of crisis affected children and youth. 

The EiE Fundamentals training in Sana’a was made possible thanks to the HLA’s continued fruitful collaboration with the Education Cluster who successfully engaged the Ministry of Education and secured their support and involvement in the training from the early stages of preparation.

Participant Diversity

36 participants benefited from the training, including 15 women: 21 of the participants were personnel from the Ministry of Education Sana’a and governorate Education Office who are specialised in EIE response, while 15 participants represented national NGO partners.

Impactful Education in Emergencies Training

Education in emergencies (EiE) focuses on ensuring access to safe, quality education during emergencies and crises.

Over the five days of training, the expert EiE training team guided the through course content which included crucial areas such as ensuring access to education and maintaining a learning environment during emergencies; adapting curricula and educational materials for crisis contexts; psychosocial support; and teacher training and support.

These fundamental objectives and topics aim to guarantee that education remains a priority during crises, enabling children and communities to recover, rebuild, and prosper despite challenging circumstances.

Rafka Daoud, Regional EiE Manager for the HLA said:
“Training in education in emergencies (EiE) is vital in Sana’a to help address the urgent need for education access, the impact on children and youth, psychosocial wellbeing, child protection, and inclusive education – which are all critical to rebuilding a stable future.

EiE empowers communities and equips educators to navigate the challenges posed by the crisis, enabling the continuation of learning and ensuring a better future for the youth in Yemen.”

Dr Mahdi Alsebaeai, Yemen Education Cluster Coordinator, agreed on the positive impacts of the training, with partners and participants expressing their continued commitment to this work as well as their interest in receiving further EiE updates and training, particularly at advanced levels.

Additionally, Dr Alsebaeai observed how representatives from national NGOs demonstrated their strengthening understanding and improved knowledge in EIE response which will in turn support them in Yemen Humanitarian Education Fund interventions.

This training initiative highlights the importance of education in emergencies and the collaborative efforts of local and regional actors to address the educational needs of crisis-affected children and youth in Yemen.

The HLA MENAEE Regional Centre extends its congratulations to all participants and thanks to the Yemen Education Cluster and Save the Children International.

The team is currently preparing for the new cycle of its regional Education in Emergencies Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Programme – a sector-facing programme accredited by the University of Geneva – which will welcome a new cohort this November.

The humanitarian response to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria had passed the six-month mark. To review the ongoing activities in the region and optimise the next phase of response, the HLA leadership team travelled to Gaziantep. Samantha Davis, Deputy Director for Learning and Programmes, and Pawel Mania, Deputy Director for Transformational Response, met with the HLA regional team, local partners, and colleagues from Save the Children’s Syria Response Office to follow up on the work done so far and discuss priorities and needs of the local actors to provide impactful and cohesive support.

From the observation of our team, both local and international NGOs are well-prepared to handle protracted crises; however, they encountered challenges in swiftly adapting to respond to new emerging needs following the earthquake.

Samantha Davis, Deputy Director for Learning and Programmes, shares:

“Distress emerged as a pressing priority during our visit, as the people in the region are grappling with the enduring impact of continuous shocks. Coping with this situation has been extremely challenging. While we were there, a smaller earthquake struck, triggering further distress. Heart-wrenching stories were shared, recounting the loss of colleagues, family, and friends who tragically lost their lives in the earthquake. These deeply personal accounts highlighted the immense impact of such disasters on the lives of people in the area. It underscored the critical need for immediate and effective support and resources to help them cope with the adverse experiences they have endured.”

During the meetings the importance of enhancing the capacity of local partners was emphasised consistently, and several priorities where our assistance is needed the most were identified. Some organisations expressed the need for specific expertise, such as short-term support in shaping their organisational strategy and advisory assistance in developing new programmes. The consensus among these organisations was that targeted and specialised support in upskilling critical aspects of their work would be exceedingly valuable and beneficial in amplifying their ability to tackle the challenges they face.

Bdour Ghousheh, HLA Regional Lead for the MENAEE region, highlights: 

“As getting funds remains one of the main challenges of local organisations, access issues in Syria create gaps in coordination between activities of Türkiye and Syria-based actors. Smaller organisations also sometimes find themselves left out from capacity strengthening activities. That is why the HLA’s work, and our Engine 2 approach are important for this response. Our plans are based on the needs of local organisations and are tailored to the context. For example, our team is now delivering Education in Emergencies (EiE) training for Syrian organisations in Arabic, to make sure the language is not a barrier to gain essential knowledge and skills.”  

Read about the EiE training in Gaziantep here  https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/news/to-give-hope-and-foster-stability-education-in-emergencies-fundamentals-training-in-turkiye-and-syria/

Some of the individuals we spoke expressed a deep concern regarding the UN Security Council’s decision not to renew the UN’s mandate to operate cross-border into Northwest Syria through the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing. As this crossing is crucial in securing aid for Syrians in opposition-held areas of NW Syria, its non-renewal raised uncertainties about the accessibility of humanitarian support to the area. [It was later reported that deal had been reached with the Government of Syria to allow the UN’s access through Bab al-Hawa for a period of three months. We observed a strong striving for innovative solutions to overcome the obstacles in delivering humanitarian support to the region. Our interlocutors indicated the need for more robust coordination mechanisms to be introduced for organisations to convene and advocate and to work together more effectively.

Pawel Mania, Deputy Director for Transformational Response reflects:

“The earthquake has been a traumatic experience for the whole region, and everyone was impacted in one way or another. However, in the case of Syrian-led organisations, this is another trauma added to their complex and difficult reality. It feels like this reassures the role of the HLA in the region as a team that advocates for a more holistic and systemic approach that strengthens the overall capacity of the organisations and influences dialogue between different stakeholders. Reflecting on the visit and communication with our regional team and local responders, we also see that HLA should identify and reinforce potential collaboration between different communities and networks. We are going to continue our engagement efforts on both sides and be more opportunistic with some of the priorities that are being shared. For the HLA, it is particularly important to engage directly with networks like Syrian Network League and Turkish Humanitarian Forum to ensure we are led by local experts and can reach a wider audience.

One of the goals of the visit was to strengthen our relations with Save the Children International Syria Response Office. After having a meeting, both teams expressed an interest in close collaboration. The focus of this synergy would be to develop internal staff capacity and address critical challenges that we have encountered in our work. This presents an exciting opportunity to enhance our collective impact in the region.

During the visit our team also had a number of meetings to reconnoiter new potential partnerships with local and international organisations to expand our impact in the region. Exploring and solidifying these connections, we are going to map out potential collaboration models and identify opportunities to pilot new initiatives and expand on our existing projects to be more impactful.

Learn more about our work in the region:

Middle East & North Africa – Humanitarian Leadership Academy

The HLA’s Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe (MENAEE) Regional Centre is reflecting on the successful delivery of the Education in Emergencies (EiE) Fundamentals training programme in Yemen – with thanks to the collaboration and support of partners and graduates of our EiE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programme.

EiE Fundamentals is a flagship in-person training programme from the HLA which aims to equip country office education and EiE staff with the fundamental competencies to be part of initiating, designing and implementing a quality EiE response in their context.

Staff from the HLA’s Jordan-based MENAEE Regional Centre and Yemen Education Cluster formed the team behind the organisation of the EiE Fundamentals training in Yemen, which was delivered in the city of Aden between 6-10 August. This training builds on the success of the Organisational Development training delivered by the team in Yemen in June.

Thanks to the fruitful collaboration between organising parties together with the team of local trainers in Yemen, the five-day EiE Fundamentals training programme enabled NGOs and cluster partners to strengthen their understanding of an EiE response within the Yemen humanitarian context.

25 participants – including 12 women – benefited from the training. The participants were education personnel drawn from local and national organisations as well as from the Ministry of Education.

The training was successfully contextualised by the five-strong team of local trainers: two Save the Children International colleagues together with three EiE managers and coordinators who are recent graduates of the HLA/Save the Children’s Education in Emergencies Certificate of Advanced Studies programme (EiE CAS).

Participants were taken through key topics including cross-cutting issues such as child participation, child safeguarding versus child protection, inclusion, gender equality, and conflict sensitivity. The trainers guided the participants to reflect on real experiences in the field and how to improve the implementation of EiE projects.

“The training included critical topics which we always take for granted. I never thought about the importance of cross-cutting issues; it was always for me either about the ways of project implementation or donor demands.” – Training participant

A participant from the Ministry of Education reported that, prior to attending the training, it was her belief that organisations work in isolation from authorities. However, by undertaking the training she realised that through the process of developing humanitarian response plans, governments are in fact consulted – and the plans take into account the needs raised by governments, as well as the results of assessments carried out by many organisations.  

One of the trainers – a graduate of the EiE CAS programme – said:

“The training was a great way to learn new skills, network with other professionals, and get inspired by adjusting my perspective. During the training sessions, thoughts about EiE and its practitioners kept running through our minds, giving us new ideas such as early childhood inclusion in EiE, and the key role of the INGO and Ministry of Education.”

Rafka Daoud is the recently appointed MENAEE Regional EiE Manager at the HLA – and a graduate of the EiE CAS programme herself. She is highly positive about the EiE Fundamentals training delivery experience in Yemen. She reflects:

“Education in Emergencies holds significant importance in Yemen due to its vital role in ensuring educational continuity during crisis situations. The primary objective of EiE training is to guarantee the provision of education even during emergencies such as conflicts.

This emphasis on EiE is crucial because education is an inherent right for children and adolescents. Unfortunately, in times of emergencies, access to education tends to be severely disrupted, resulting in a substantial number of children being deprived of learning opportunities. EiE strives to counteract this by creating mechanisms that enable children to access education regardless of the challenges posed by emergencies.”

The HLA MENAEE Regional Centre extends its congratulations to the 25 training participants and expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Save the Children International and Yemen Country Office, the Education Cluster and the training team. This training was made possible thanks to the financial support of the People’s Postcode Lottery Education Trust.

“The training was excellent. I have been in the humanitarian field since 2015 but I learned a lot of new things during this training which will add great value to my experience.” – Training participant

Apply for the Education in Emergencies Certificate of Advanced Studies (EiE CAS) – Middle East and Eastern Europe 2023-24

The EiE CAS Programme: Middle East and Eastern Europe 2023 is now open for applications. It is a sector-facing programme accredited by the University of Geneva and will run from November 2023 to October 2024.

The deadline for applications is 10 September 2023.

Our team in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe (MENAEE) region delivered the Education in Emergencies (EiE) Fundamentals training in Gaziantep, Türkiye at the end of July. This course aims to rapidly improve the participants’ knowledge of the fundamental competencies and provide the necessary skills and tools to be part of initiating, designing and implementing a quality EiE response.

The training targeted the Northwest Syria Education Cluster responding to education needs, including after the earthquakes of 6th February 2023. The course was tailored to address numerous intertwined factors, such as cultural nuances, unique challenges faced by the region, and the diverse needs of the affected population. To be more accessible to the local responders, the training was delivered in Arabic.

Bdour Ghousheh, HLA Regional Lead for the MENAEE region, highlights:
“During emergencies, such as the Syria crisis, educational systems are often disrupted or completely halted. EiE training is essential to ensure that education can continue even in challenging circumstances. It equips educators and responders with the necessary skills and knowledge to set up temporary learning spaces, develop appropriate curricula, and provide education to displaced and affected children and youth.”

Education in Emergencies training is crucial for an effective and comprehensive response to the Syria crisis, as it recognises the importance of education in fostering stability, protection, and development amid the effects of conflict and displacement. In crisis situations, children are especially vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and abuse. EiE programmes provide guidelines on how to create safe and protective environments where children can learn and grow, reducing their exposure to risks and offering them a sense of stability.

Rafka Daoud, HLA Regional EiE PDP manager, emphasises:
“The Syria crisis has resulted in severe emotional distress and trauma for millions of children and adolescents who have experienced violence, displacement, and loss. EiE training includes elements of psychosocial support, which enables educators and responders to recognize signs of distress and provide appropriate care and counselling to help children cope with their experiences. The EiE programme also provides strategies to develop critical life skills and resilience in children affected by crises, helping them adapt to the challenges they face and recover from adversity.”

EiE training also focuses on ensuring the active participation of children and their communities in the education process. This empowers them to have a say in their learning, making education more relevant and effective in addressing their unique needs and circumstances. At the same time, the EiE training focuses on strengthening the capacity of educators, responders, and local organisations to effectively respond to educational needs during emergencies. This includes equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to set up temporary learning spaces, design appropriate curricula, and provide psychosocial support. Following these objectives, the EiE is carefully tailored to the context.

Sajeda Arslan, HLA MENAEE Regional Coordinator, explains:
“The training was designed with a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and political context of both Syria and Türkiye. This includes being sensitive to the unique experiences and needs of Syrian refugees and the host communities in Türkiye. Integration with the national education system is also something we keep in mind. Thus, the training focuses on strategies for integrating Syrian refugee children into the Turkish education system, promoting inclusion and ensuring that they can access quality education opportunities. The training is gender-sensitive, addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by both girls and boys in accessing education and dealing with the effects of the crisis.”

The participants named information on child protection and safeguarding, integrating new students into the existing educational programmes, and Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergency (INEE) Standards amongst the most valuable parts of the training.

Nada: “The discussion about cross-cutting issues and how to incorporate them in our Education Programmes was specifically valuable. I will advise my colleagues to attend the online training”.

Ikram: “I appreciate that the training was delivered in Arabic. I am going to suggest to my organisation to let me organise a session to share the received knowledge, especially about child protection, with my colleagues”.

Soubhi: “The training gave me a lot of ideas to apply in my work, as my organisation just started a livelihood project that covers issues of encouraging students to join or return to vocational schools and to open education after the earthquake.”

Maher: “I work on report writing and use INEE standards. I believe that the group discussion on this during the training was useful for all the participants”.

Esraa: “This was the first EiE training I attended. The topics of localisation and response sustainability for the host country were especially interesting, as I haven’t seen it being discussed before.”

The training not only equipped participants with valuable knowledge but also provided them with insights into the real-world complexities of implementing EiE programmes in a region affected by humanitarian crises. It highlighted the importance of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and the need for a collective effort to ensure that education remains accessible and transformative for children and youth affected by emergencies. The participants also shared the struggles they face in their work. The challenges highlighted during the training included the need for greater engagement with the host community.

Rafka Daoud, HLA Regional EiE PDP manager, shares:
“The training experience allowed participants to comprehend the complexities involved in implementing EiE initiatives in crisis-affected areas. They were able to grasp the importance of education in emergency contexts and how it can provide stability, protection, and hope for children and youth who have been exposed to violence, displacement, and loss. In its way, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by education staff working in the region was a highlight of this training experience for me.”

The training was co-facilitated by the Education in Emergencies Certificate of Advanced Studies (EiE CAS) graduates. This is a comprehensive 450-hour blended learning experience accredited by the University of Geneva.

Learn more about our Education in Emergencies Learning Programme:
https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/learning-programmes/education-in-emergencies-eie/

Since May 2016, Kaya – the free digital learning platform operated by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy has upskilled thousands of humanitarians globally to directly respond to crises in their localities. Kaya is providing high quality, expert led and industry recognised learning at times and places where access can be challenging.

A Kaya learner from Syria said: “As someone who faced challenges due to the Syrian crisis, such as limited access and remote management, I found Kaya’s designed courses to be invaluable in enhancing my skills and knowledge.

The platform not only helped me keep learning but also enabled me to share this knowledge with colleagues, team members, and partner staff, ultimately making a positive impact on those affected by the crisis, especially since many courses are available in different languages including Arabic.”

With over 700,000 learners from 190 countries registered on the platform; there are now over 500 learning resources available on Kaya in 12 languages at varying levels of expertise. Resources for people who have never been involved in humanitarian action to resources for people who have worked in the sector for many years.

A Kaya learner from Cote D’Ivoire said: “The learning has changed my outlook, it’s opened my eyes to some of the challenges faced by our colleagues on the ground.”

Kaya content is contextually relevant and is often updated by experts across the globe with new information as new processes are introduced to humanitarian action.

How can I access Kaya and what will I find?

Kaya is free and accessible on a phone, tablet or laptop. You will need access to the internet to sign up and find content. However, your coursework can be done offline, and progress uploaded when you have access to internet again.

Resources range from games, quizzes, and assessments to online self-directed courses and pathways, webinars, videos, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), and blended courses. Kaya users can also find registration for face-to-face workshops and events and so much more available and accessible at the learner’s time/flexibility.

A Kaya learner from South Africa said: “I believe that Kaya fosters creativity and critical thinking and for me that is an essential skill that every humanitarian needs.”

Kaya is not only helping humanitarians grow, but also supporting international, national and local non-governmental organisations (who we partner with) to share their knowledge on an accessible platform.

Another Kaya learner from Ukraine said: I’ve used the Kaya platform during my work with International Rescue Committee till October 2022. And nowadays I was really surprised to see this hub available in Ukrainian. I don’t remember any other humanitarian platform with trainings available in our language.”

Kaya resources are accessible; the platform includes a screen reader helper, a dyslexia friendly view and much more. As a learner on Kaya, you can earn certificates and showcase the certificates you receive from completing courses. Some courses award HPass digital badges, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile. These certificates and badges validate gained knowledge and encourage and motivate humanitarians to accelerate their learning and professional development.

I was really surprised to see this hub available in Ukrainian. I don’t remember any other humanitarian platform with trainings available in our language.”

What should I do now?

If you’re looking to learn something new as a humanitarian – from project management to proposal writing, understanding big concepts like cash and voucher assistance or the Grand Bargain. If you’re looking to join valuable networks such as the Women in Leadership network hosted on Kaya – sign up now.

If you’re already a Kaya learner, tell a friend about Kaya. Share one of the #KayaAppreciation posts on our social media channels or create your own.

The Humanitarian Leadership Academy remains poised to support professional growth and Kaya learners’ impact and invaluable contributions to individual communities.

The HLA is celebrating the success of the inaugural Humanitarian Operations Programme (HOP) Core training in Jordan – the first time that this training programme on the fundamental principles of humanitarian action has been delivered in the Middle East and North Africa region.

HOP Core is a flagship entry-level training programme which aims to strengthen humanitarians’ knowledge, skills and behaviours to respond effectively to emergencies.

The participants – which included 12 women – hold roles such as field managers, project managers, officers and coordinators from a range of functions including supply chain management; operations; monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), partnerships, programme development and quality.

The HOP Core training comprises teaching sessions and a desk-based scenario including mentoring and debriefing.

The HOP Core training was fully-funded by the HLA MENAEE Regional Centre, emphasising its commitment to strengthening capacity and fostering excellence in the humanitarian sector. A team of expert trainers from the Regional Centre led the training together with the Head of the Regional Centre from the recently-formed HLA Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Centre.

Bdour Ghousheh, Head of the HLA MENAEE Regional Centre said:

“We’re so proud to implement and contextualise the HOP Core programme in Amman, enabling 22 Save the Children staff from seven countries in the region to benefit from this in-person training. There were many significant learning moments during this training! We extend our warmest congratulations to all participants!”

Through the HOP Core programme, the HLA has already trained INGO staff and national partners in nine countries: Uganda, South Sudan, Zambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Bangladesh, Poland and Ukraine. With the latest cohort having completed the programme in MENA, the impact of this training is being realised in a total of 16 countries.

Looking ahead, the HLA MENAEE Regional Centre plans to provide ongoing support and follow-up with the training cohort. Participants were provided with additional resources including the self-paced Humanitarian Operations Fundamentals Programme on the HLA’s open-access digital learning platform Kaya, allowing them to further deepen their knowledge and skills.

I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this rich learning experience that has not only contributed to improving my professional knowledge and skills but has also allowed me to meet a group of amazing Save the Children International team members from the whole MENAEE Region and the dedicated trainers of the HLA.

The HLA’s Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe (MENAEE) Regional Centre recently collaborated with Save the Children Yemen to help deliver four days of training to boost facilitation skills.

This training was part of a holistic Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA) programme for partner organisations in Yemen. It was led by Save the Children Yemen’s Partnership Unit, and supported by the HLA’s MENAEE team based in Jordan who provided expertise through the remote facilitation of sessions.

The bespoke training programme was delivered to 36 participants – including 13 women – who hold a variety of positions in partner organisations including monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) specialists; managers; coordinators and officers representing 20 partner organisations.

Through the training, participants learned how to facilitate and lead the OCA process in their organisations, including the phases and tools used in the Organisational Capacity Development process, and put these skills to the test through a simulation and practice of the OCA tool facilitation.

This training programme builds on the successes of introductory OCA training sessions held in Yemen, and its objective is to enhance partners’ capacity in organisational development by strengthening their capacity to assess, plan and implement their own organisational capacity development internally – making the process a locally-owned one.

The training was very important and useful, we will be able to identify the gaps in our institutional capabilities and work out the strategic plan of the organisation according to specific gaps.

The HLA’s MENAEE Regional Centre and Save the Children Yemen will continue to collaborate to provide guidance and support to partner organisations such as through training provision, coaching and technical support.

Organisational Capacity Development is part of the HLA’s Civil Society Strengthening (CSS) Pillar work – part of the HLA’s commitment to shifting the power.

Fatima Zureigat, Regional Capacity Building Programme Manager who is leading the HLA Civil Society Strengthening pillar work in the MENAEE region remarked:

“I was very happy and proud to see this training come to fruition as a result of collaborative efforts of the HLA’s MENAEE Regional Centre and Save the Children Yemen Partnerships Unit, as well as fantastic engagement by our partners.

The remote facilitation bolstered the training, bringing expertise into the training room without the need for the time and expense of travel. This enabled us to expedite this essential training which is the foundation stone of the whole Organisational Capacity Development Process. We’re looking forward to progressing this work with partners over the next few months.”

The training was at the peak of magnificence and achieved all the required goals! We only hoped that the course would be more than four days to benefit more from the experience and cognitive skills and delve into the details of the institutional assessment tool in a more detailed and in-depth manner. We can only say to Save the Children, HLA and those in charge of the OCA Training of Facilitators – thank you so much!

Colleagues from the HLA Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe (MENAEE) Regional Centre were delighted to recently welcome facilitators and participants to Jordan for a one-week Education in Emergencies residential training programme.

Congratulations to the 24 participants who travelled from Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Libya, Ukraine and Greece to attend the Education in Emergencies (EiE) training which took place in Amman between 11-17 June 2023.

Participants were from national and international organisations – this year was notable for having a participant from a local NGO in the training cohort.

The training is part of the EiE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) – a comprehensive 450-hour blended learning experience accredited by the University of Geneva. It is a sector-facing course targeting mid-senior level EiE and education practitioners working and based in emergency-affected or prone regions. The course aims to help them further develop their EiE design, implementation and leadership skills, as well as their ability to share these with others.

Through the residential, the cohort had the unique opportunity to apply their learning gained across the six course modules to an in-person EiE simulation.

The Advanced course is delivered by the EiE Professional Development Programme teams in HLA’s Regional Centres, in collaboration with EiE technical experts from Save the Children, other supporting organisations, and previous cycle graduates.

As someone who is passionate about promoting access to quality education in crisis situations, I found the course to be challenging and rewarding. I’ve learned a lot and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and apply it in my work and daily life. Let’s continue to advocate for access to education during emergencies so that everyone, no matter where they are in the world or what crises they’re facing, can have the opportunity to learn and grow. – Participant from an INGO in Jordan

Upcoming EiE training opportunity – apply by 5 July

The MENAEE Regional Centre invites applications for the EiE Arabic Fundamentals course in Gaziantep, Syria.

This is a sector-facing Arabic course for education/education in emergencies (EiE) practitioners based in Gaziantep. The facilitated in-person training will take place between 24 – 28 July 2023. The deadline for applications is 5 July 2023.

Learn more about EiE training at the HLA

Our EiE Professional Development Programme (PDP) aims to develop staff with the right skills to deliver timely, high quality Education in Emergencies (EiE).

As part of the HLA’s regional response work following the devastating earthquakes, the Middle East and North Africa Regional Centre has been actively engaging with staff from Syrian organisations through remote-facilitated training sessions.

So far, the training sessions, which have run throughout May 2023, have already reached 69 participants based in the city of Gaziantep.

The participants – among them 29 women and 40 men – are staff from Syrian local organisations from a range of departments and roles including programme managers and officers, safeguarding focal people, and human resources personnel.

Identifying training priorities

The training was planned and established with the support of the Save the Children’s Syria Response Office Partnerships Manager. After consulting with local organisations in Syria, three major topics were identified as top priorities for training: staff wellbeing, mentoring and coaching, and child safeguarding.

Staff wellbeing has been given special attention to provide support to those working hard on the earthquake response efforts. Given the urgency and time-sensitive nature of the crisis response work, mentoring and coaching were identified as crucial training needs to enhance the skills of the staff involved.

Staff wellbeing is a very important training topic to tackle, especially for us who are working in conditions that rarely allow us to declare the stresses we go through. As an HR specialist, I find that this training has raised awareness for decision makers in organisations, which is extremely important in an emergency context.

Safeguarding is of paramount importance, and this training component helps to assist organisations in effectively integrating new volunteers with limited experience in the humanitarian sector.

By utilising remote training methods, the subject-matter experts from the Regional Centre have been able to establish direct connections with individuals and organisations in Syria. This approach enables them to deliver focused and expert training in an agile and responsive manner.

Remote facilitated sessions provide fantastic flexibility to address a quick on-the-go need for improving the staff capacity, especially in case of an emergency where everything is moving quickly. Our participants from local Syrian organisations were highly engaged in these on-demand initiatives.

Building on the success of these training sessions, the HLA MENA Regional Centre plans to organise follow-up sessions that delve deeper into the identified topics. These sessions will further enhance the capacity and knowledge of participants to contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts.

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Programmes like Tadamon help organisations like Sakeena in their journey towards becoming fully equipped to make lasting change.

In Jordan, lack of ethnic affiliation and clear family lineages can mean isolation from society and living life on the margins, especially for youth and women who have recently graduated from foster homes. When we helped create Tadamon’s learning resource by request of the Islamic Development Bank, we knew that creating resources specifically for the Middle East would deliver localised learning and directly impact lives.

Sakeena is one of 24 civil society organisations (CSO) selected for the Tadamon Interactive Crowdfunding Program – an online training program, hosted on Kaya, aimed to enable civil society organizations to raise funds through crowdfunding.

The resource made of twelve mandatory online modules and one additional module with five instructional videos; will help the selected 24 organisations gain a shared understanding of campaigning for social good within the local ecosystem. The program is not only empowering users with new knowledge but is also driving collaboration and awareness between all 24 organisations who are doing remarkable work in Jordan.

Through Tadamon, we are hoping to expand our impact and influence on a regional level. We want to educate others about the cause of youth and women at risk after foster home graduation, and end the stigma attached to people who were abandoned by their families upon birth, and change the stereotypes and name-calling associated with this human condition. We want to be a youth-led agent of change”

Few of Tadamon’s CSO selection are new to Kaya, the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA)’s platform which hosts the course; however Diana Ishaqat, Communications and Fundraising Manager at Sakeena, has used Kaya before. She reflects, “I have previously used Kaya when I was studying for my Project Management for Development (PMD Pro) so I told my colleagues that if the platform is involved, it will be a user-friendly, easy-to-learn process, since many platforms presented in such opportunities tend to be slow, have unnecessary features, and offer a weak experience for users.”

Using the skills, mentorship and guidance obtained from Tadamon’s program, Sakeena’s goal after completing the Tadamon Learning Program is to raise funds for securing a safe accommodation for recent foster home graduates who find themselves in the streets after graduation, and vulnerable youth and children born to women as a result of sexual violence.

Sakeena is a Jordanian youth-centered, non-profit and non-partisan organization registered formally in Jordan since 2010. The organisation works to ensure that every orphan leaving care homes is an equal member of society who has access to continued care, community, and advocacy for human and civil rights.

Sakeena works to provide basic aid, psychosocial support, skills development, and education focusing on ostracization, homelessness, and proneness to exploitation and abuse towards foster home graduates with severed family ties, generally due to being born outside traditional marriage, and especially to women who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation themselves.

Orphans who leave care homes after graduation and do not find a place to go due to lack of previous real-life preparation, fear, or inability to find a safe location. During this time and afterwards, Sakeena offers them empowerment services and programs.

Diana said, “At Sakeena, we believe that everyone should live free from shaming, and enjoy civil and human rights.”  The team’s efforts to help make this belief a reality in Jordan is well underway, thanks to HLA.

The Humanitarian Leadership Academy through Kaya and HPass supports organisations involved in humanitarian preparedness and response or located in crisis-affected countries with a wide range of platforms, products and services.

In addition to free wide-ranging training content available on Kaya, HLA can also support organisations to curate, create and share high quality learning opportunities that meet the organisation’s or country’s specific requirements.

“I have previously used Kaya when I was studying for my Project Management for Development (PMD Pro) so I told my colleagues that if the platform is involved, it will be a user-friendly, easy-to-learn process, since many platforms presented in such opportunities tend to be slow, have unnecessary features, and offer a weak experience for users.”

Visit Kaya