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.
The EIE Fundamentals training was very interactive since all participants could participate without the language barrier. We were able to learn not only from the presentations of qualified trainers but also from the participants’ experiences shared during the lively discussions.
This training was a productive and interesting experience for me. It helped me develop new skills and provided me with the necessary knowledge to use during emergencies. It is an asset that I will carry with me along my career path. Thanks a lot to the organisers and trainers.
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.
