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Image of man facing away form the camera observing damage from the 2023 Libya flood.
Image credit: WHO Libya

This Learning Needs Assessment identifies capacity gaps and learning needs among engineers and technical specialists engaged in response efforts in Libya.

Understanding these gaps is essential for developing targeted training programs, that can enhance the skills and knowledge required to address the complex challenges posed by the conflict. 

The LNA also assessed the existing strengths among engineers, so RedR can recommend the best ways that humanitarian partners can leverage best these capabilities. 

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Using the findings to train disaster responders on the most urgent topics


Subsequently, RedR conducted this in-depth and detailed Learning Needs Assessment to better inform the ongoing training response to the disaster in Libya. The overarching questions that this Learning Needs Assessment seeks to assess are:

It enables RedR to tailor our response to the evolving needs of the crisis. By understanding the specific learning needs and capacity gaps, RedR can provide training that is most relevant and impactful, thereby enhancing the overall response in Libya. 

Key findings

Various trainings were identified as a need such as:

There is a shift in needs now that Libya is no longer in an emergency phase but is now in a transitional phase. Some of the trainings that are more of a priority now are DRR and climate
change.

Stock image of damaged building in Ukraine.
Apartments in Ukraine damaged by war.

This Cross Cutting Issue (CCI) Guidance Framework is a compilation of the key tools, resources and guidance that organisations can use to strengthen integration of CCIs in WASH programming throughout the humanitarian program cycle.

This compilation was the result of a consultative process with key stakeholders and review of available resources in February 2024. It consolidates the work of Working Groups developing cross-cutting approaches, and reflects the current priority issues for WASH in Ukraine.

It enables WASH actors in Ukraine to readily access support, aggregating existing guidance and best practices in WASH thematics.

This framework will guide you on how to meaningfully ensure participation, minimize existing barriers and ensure safe and equitable access to WASH interventions.

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Why do cross-cutting issues matter?

Integrating CCIs into WASH programming makes humanitarian services and responses safer, more effective and more timely by proactively identifying and mitigating the barriers and risks that people face in accessing assistance.

By addressing CCIs in all stages of the programme cycle it anchors protection mainstreaming principles into the WASH response ensuring adherence to the right to WASH services and human-rights. Integrating CCIs into WASH in Ukraine will contribute to ensuring ‘the most vulnerable people affected or displaced by the war can access basic WASH services and materials to maintain basic hygienic practices, with a focus on people with disabilities including children with disabilities and persons of older age, women and girls, and minority groups.’ Failing to address CCIs in WASH compromises the effectiveness of the response.

The people of Ukraine — mainly the most vulnerable: women, children, older people, marginalized groups such as people living with HIV/AIDS, the Roma, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex (LGBTQI+) communities and people with disabilities— continue to bear the brunt of the impacts of the conflict.

Archive RedR image portrait of older woman.
Portrait of woman in Dadaab Refugee Complex, Kenya.

Humanitarian inclusion standards for older people and people with disabilities.

RedR developed the Humanitarian inclusion standards for older people and people with disabilities as part of the ADCAP (Age and Disability Capacity Building Programme) consortium. 

The Humanitarian inclusion standards for older people and people with disabilities are designed to help address the gap in understanding the needs, capacities and rights of older people and people with disabilities, and promote their inclusion in humanitarian action.  

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The standards are designed both to strengthen the accountability of humanitarian actors to older people and people with disabilities, and to support the participation of older people and people with disabilities in humanitarian action. You can use them as guidance for programming, and as a resource for training and advocacy, particularly for creating more inclusive organisational policies and practice. 

 

Publication structure

We derived nine key inclusion standards from the Nine Commitments of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), and seven sets of sector-specific inclusion standards:

Each chapter presents a set of standards with key actions to meet the standard, guidance notes to support the delivery of the actions, tools and resources, and case studies.

The sector inclusion standards are structured around three key areas of inclusion:  

  1. data and information management  
  2. addressing barriers  
  3. participation of older people and people with disabilities, and strengthening of their capacities.  

The sector-specific inclusion standards are intended to be used in conjunction with the Key inclusion standards. 

RedR training in inclusion standards

The ADCAP materials informed the design of RedR’s Gender, Age and Disability training course, which we’ve delivered in the UK, Nepal, Myanmar, Kenya and Sudan. The training provided the knowledge and tools to help mainstream gender, age and disability into all interventions. We’re helping organisations move beyond simply the desire to be inclusive, and into the reality of meeting minimum standards of inclusion. They can do this by considering the intersectionality of identities that can compound our experiences and behaviours.  

Skyline view of Mogadishu, Somalia.
Skyline view of Mogadishu, Somalia.

The Urban Competency Framework (UCF) outlines the key competencies and accompanying behaviours that all those working in humanitarian response need in order to work effectively in urban settings.  

As populations in cities continue to grow, global crises are increasingly urban in nature: humanitarian action must enhance its efficiency in these settings. 

Individuals, institutions, or organisations can use the UCF to assess suitability for working in urban crises, improve competencies, and ensure those involved in urban humanitarian action are effective. Learning providers can use it to develop courses and curricula based on the skills needed in urban humanitarian action. It can also be a tool for improving collaboration and encouraging an intersectoral approach between local authorities, humanitarians, built environment professionals, engineers, civil society and other key stakeholders. 

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To learn more about how to use the UCF, and for a toolkit of resources to support using the framework, download a copy of our User Guide. 

The UCF was drafted through a consultative process, with input from urban specialists from around the globe. If you would like to read more about the initial research behind the first drafts of the UCF download a copy of the Research Report. 

Click here to read a case study on local urban response in the Philippines and learn how this relates to the UCF. 

Stock image of infrastructure damage in Ukraine.
Infrastructure damaged by the war in Ukraine.

This Learning Needs Assessment identifies capacity gaps and learning needs among engineers and technical specialists engaged in response and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

Understanding these gaps is essential for developing targeted training programs, that can enhance the skills and knowledge required to address the complex challenges posed by the conflict. 

The LNA also assessed the existing strengths among engineers, so RedR can recommend the best ways that humanitarian partners can leverage best these capabilities. 

Download publication

Using the findings to train engineers

The findings from the LNA informed the development of a specialised training program focused on structural detailing and blast-induced damage assessments. This program aims to equip engineers and technical specialists with the necessary skills to conduct thorough and accurate assessments, ensuring that buildings are safe for occupancy and use. 

It enables RedR to tailor our response to the evolving needs of the crisis. By understanding the specific learning needs and capacity gaps, RedR can provide training that is most relevant and impactful, thereby enhancing the overall response to the infrastructure challenges in Ukraine. 

Key findings

The study revealed that technical capacity and confidence among respondents were relatively low in most areas. However, areas where respondents felt most confident included preparing technical documents (such as scopes of work and bills of quantity), construction quality assurance and control, and non-structural repairs. This indicates a strong foundation upon which further skills can be built. 

Major challenges identified included security issues due to the ongoing conflict, insufficient funding and resources, lack of specialists and skilled personnel, and inadequate tools and equipment. These challenges are compounded by the continuous threat of shelling, economic instability, and the complex logistics of working in a war zone. 

Priority learning areas identified included rapid damage assessments and classifications of buildings, understanding the blast effects on structures, performing load calculations and computer modelling, and conducting building and shelter construction/reconstruction. These areas were highlighted as critical for improving the technical capacity of engineers to effectively assess and repair damaged infrastructure. 

Recommendations

Based on the findings, the LNA recommends the development of a learning program with the following priority areas: 

Additionally, non-technical training areas such as project management, coordination with the international relief system, and monitoring and evaluation were highlighted as critical for enhancing the effectiveness of response efforts. These skills are essential for managing complex reconstruction projects, ensuring effective collaboration among stakeholders, and maintaining accountability and transparency. 

The LNA underscores the urgent need for targeted training programs to build the capacity of engineers and technical specialists in Ukraine. By addressing the identified gaps and leveraging existing strengths, RedR UK aims to support a more effective and resilient response to the infrastructure challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. This initiative will not only improve the immediate response but also contribute to the long-term recovery and stability of the affected communities, ensuring that rebuilding efforts are sustainable and provide safe, dignified living conditions for all.