Huda’s experience with the Training of Trainers (ToT) in Humanitarian Emergencies course has been a “real turning point” for her work to ensure people most affected by conflict in Sudan have agency over their livelihoods.
Huda Mohammad Al-Khair Al Tayeb has extensive hands-on experience working in areas affected by conflict and actively engaging with local communities. She works as the General Manager of
Al-Salam Organisation for Care and Development, a humanitarian organisation that provides livelihood training to people who have been made vulnerable, focusing on women and children
and working with them to improve self-sufficiency. Al-Salam collaborates with qualified and experienced trainers to deliver various capacity-strengthening programmes in multiple states.
The war in Sudan has significantly hindered Al-Salam’s work, displacing many of its trainers and volunteers. Some are among the 11 million internally displaced people; others have been
scattered across different locations and time zones as part of the 3 million who fled as refugees. This displacement, along with travel restrictions, safety concerns, and logistical
barriers, made it difficult to coordinate meetings and deliver training in-person as they had before.
Previously, their in-person training required them to rent venues, organise transportation and accommodation for trainees from remote areas and refugee camps, and cover meals and travel
expenses – challenges that had become increasingly unsustainable due to the conflict. Recognising the need to adapt their approach, Huda and her team made the strategic decision
to transition to online training.
At an individual level, Huda’s role was also transitioning from a purely supervisory position to direct involvement in training. She wanted to develop her training skills because she wanted to
share the insights that she had gained from her hands-on experience working in conflict-affected areas, and be able to train others more effectively within the organisation, reducing their reliance
on external trainers and strengthening internal capacity.
Huda chose to enrol in RedR’s ToT in Humanitarian Emergencies course to refresh and expand her knowledge and skills and support her organisation’s transition to online training.
How the training has impacted Huda’s work:
Unlike previous trainings Huda completed, which were largely theoretical, this course emphasised practical, hands-on learning. Huda and her organisation have gained real-world skills
that they can apply to address critical gaps in its work and refine their approach in light of the challenges they face.
For instance, Al-Salam has shifted from a traditional approach to conducting needs assessments to a more systematic approach. This is especially valuable, as Al-Salam uses the insights from
these assessments to guide their work and meet the needs of the most affected groups. Another example is how the organisation has strengthened its strategies around community engagement
and communication.
According to Huda, the training provided has “helped boost our confidence and improved our ability to interact with the communities we serve.”
The training also presented a tool to support Huda and Al-Salam’s adoption of online training, including how to use Zoom to evolve their approach to meetings, programmes and training
sessions. This has now made real-time sharing of information and updates possible within Al-Salam, including from those working inside conflict zones, meaning the team is better equipped
to identify and respond quickly to people’s changing needs.
Huda also appreciated the comprehensive training materials that RedR provided before, during, and after the training sessions, describing them as “extremely valuable” and allowing for “deeper
engagement and continued learning”. Training materials from the course were shared with Al-Salam’s volunteers to support their work. In turn, many of these volunteers have become trainers
themselves, leading large training sessions in high-risk areas and further spreading the knowledge within their communities.
Another key aspect of the training was how it fostered peer-to-peer learning and knowledge-sharing. Huda had the opportunity to learn from the other participants, exchanging insights
beyond the structured training sessions about their real-world experiences in different humanitarian contexts.
Next steps for Huda & Al-Salam:
“I plan to use online training skills to share my knowledge, past experiences, and everything I have learned from this programme.”
Even after the training, Huda has remained connected with other participants through a Community of Practice (CoP) knowledge hub, initially set up by RedR via WhatsApp. The CoP has
since moved to being fully managed by the training participants with the ability to invite new members. In the long term, this means Huda and her colleagues can continue to share
experiences and learn from each other more effectively, fostering stronger professional relationships.
For Huda, the training was “a turning point” for her on her path to becoming a qualified trainer. Going forward, it has inspired her to further develop her skills to better serve local communities.
Training of Trainers in Humanitarian Emergencies course is part of our Transforming Aid: Training for Humanitarian Impact and Response (TATHIR) project in Sudan. This project is generously funded
by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office via the H2H Network, and delivered in partnership with Humanitarian Academy for Development.
If you’d like to give financially to support this and similar projects for disaster-affected communities all over the world, you can do so here.
In October 2023, Herat province in Afghanistan was impacted by a series of earthquakes which caused severe destruction to buildings and infrastructure. Ebadullah Momand has overseen response from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on shelter and housing, since then, serving as technical focal person at the field level in the region.
“We supported the community financially and technically to build transitional shelters in one
village (Chahak)”, explains Ebadullah. He is now working to continue support through building
and repairing homes.
“The RedR training on repairing and retrofitting vernacular houses was very relevant”, says
Ebadullah. “Such trainings are rare, and there is a huge expertise gap in Afghanistan in
retrofitting vernacular and even modern buildings and houses.”
The training was incredibly valuable to me. It emphasised the crucial need to preserve vernacular houses, especially in countries like Afghanistan where many people live in adobe houses, particularly in rural areas. These traditional structures hold significant cultural importance for communities and showcase traditional building techniques that have been handed down through generations.
When earthquakes strike, these houses are often significantly impacted. We need repair and retrofitting techniques that are affordable and earthquake resistant. He says, “My experience with UNDP has taught me about vernacular concepts including carbon emissions, climate-friendly practices, and building local knowledge and capacity, which have helped me easily understand the training on retrofitting and repairing of vernacular houses, conducted by RedR UK.”
As Ebadullah explains, however, there is significant value in preserving and repairing vernacular houses, created through traditional techniques – from not only a cultural, but also a technical standpoint. “In preserving cultural heritage through these traditional techniques, we also ensure the sustainability of these structures with minimal carbon emissions. Using local materials and traditional techniques not only enhances the resilience of these houses to seismic forces, but also makes them more adaptable to local climate conditions, leading to natural energy efficiency.”
This training, specifically catered to developing earthquake resilience in vernacular structures such as these, therefore holds particular value in the Afghan context. “By equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to implement earthquake-resistant features and retrofitting measures in vernacular houses”, says Ebadullah, “we can help communities better withstand the impact of earthquakes and protect their cultural and traditional method of life.”
“The training has had a significant impact on my work, as it has deepened my understanding of the importance of preserving vernacular housing techniques, especially in disaster-prone areas like Afghanistan. I now have the knowledge and skills to implement earthquake-resistant features and retrofitting measures in traditional houses, which will help communities better withstand the impact of earthquakes and protect their cultural heritage.”
“This training has inspired me to continue working in disaster response, as I see the value in combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques to build more resilient and sustainable communities.”
Thanks for your support for RedR’s work in training disaster responders worldwide. Give financially to support this and similar projects for disaster-affected communities all over the world here.
Yousra is a mental health physician, with experience working with many different organisations, locally and internationally.
Working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Capacity Building Assistant, she runs training and workshops on mental health, especially for migrant groups in schools and other community contexts. She is also the founder of Mwja, an enterprise providing training and raising community awareness about mental health. Yousra is experienced in supporting people through crisis contexts. In 2019, she founded an NGO platform to raise awareness around managing stress created by the civil war in Libya.
The flood in Libya, caused by the breaking of two dams following Storm Daniel on 11 September 2023, caused over 30,000 people to lose their homes, with more than 10,000 people having lost their lives. The disaster causes widespread psychological trauma for those affected by the flood, as well as for those who respond.
I received many calls regarding psychological assistance for affected people. This prompted me to think about preparing a training programme. There is so much need. I wanted to qualify others in providing psychosocial first aid sessions. Even at a basic level, we need to make sure the right help is available to the right person, at the right time.
Through RedR’s Training of Trainers programme, Yousra developed her skills in online training delivery, learning to improve interactivity, and ensure participants take in what they’re learning. “In addition to a certificate that may help me develop my career”, says Yousra, “valuable information and a network of relationships with trainers and attendees is the biggest gain for me.”
Equipped to develop her own online training for mental health support workers working with those affected by the Libya floods, Yousra is launching her own online programme in February 2024. With specific expertise for disaster contexts, Yousra will pass on her expertise in psychological first aid, self-care for responders, and empower her participants to begin their own basic steps to facilitate support group for adults and children.
Thanks for your support for RedR’s work in Libya, generously supported by H2H and FCDO. If you’d like to give financially to support this and similar projects for disaster-affected communities all over the world, you can do so here.
Since the floods that devastated the city of Derna in Libya last September, Basma El-Werfally has been working with her team to provide support.
Chair of Meras Organisation for Development, a youth volunteer and development organisation, Basma lead a large campaign in the aftermath of the flood, giving food, household items, and other essentials to families who had lost everything.
Founded in 2017 to strengthen the role of civil society in Libya, Meras usually focuses on capacity development, particularly of women and young people. Their first project strengthened social entrepreneurship among organisational leaders, and Meras went on to support capacities for various vulnerable groups affected by conflict, adopting projects for economic and political empowerment of women and young people. With several projects implemented with funding from the European Union and local partners, Meras aspires to implement many programs that enhance its role as a Libyan civil society organization contributing to achieving sustainable development in Libya.
Although Basma was experienced in working in contexts of conflict, the flood brought a new kind of disaster on an unprecedented scale. Alongside the challenges of the emergency response including lack of available data, security and political challenges, and a widespread lack of confidence in donor organisations, Basma and her team were also profoundly affected psychologically by the disaster.
Although she is already an experienced coach and trainer, Basma had never worked in a humanitarian disaster of this kind. RedR’s Training of Trainers programme equipped Basma with the humanitarian knowledge she needed to train others, with the specific skills needed in emergency disaster response contexts.
Now, we are forming teams of disaster response trainers. Many people are still very affected by the flood damage. In 2024 I’ll be providing much more training to empower people.
This training has directly given us the tools to develop our skills in this field. We will continue to respond.
Thanks for your support for RedR’s work in Libya, generously supported by FCDO and H2H. If you’d like to give financially to support this and similar projects for disaster-affected communities all over the world, you can do so here.
Annet’s experience with Essentials of Humanitarian Data Analysis training means she and her humanitarian engineering colleagues can choose the most effective engineering projects for people affected by disaster.
Annet Nsiimire is a consultant, engineer and trainer. She’s working with RedR as an associate trainer, and with the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology at Makerere University in Uganda. She works to strengthen the capacity of engineers to carry out humanitarian engineering projects.
“In my work, I encounter several challenges that hinder the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions”, she says. “Limited funding restricts the scale and scope of opportunities for training and fieldwork. Local people don’t have the technical capacity to effectively support humanitarian projects. We must coordinate complex stakeholder relationships – with competing priorities and agendas.”
Through the training, Annet sought to enhance the existing training she offers to engineers by including data analysis and visualisation. The engineers she trains can then carry out projects informed by data, not only by anecdotal evidence.
The training has significantly impacted Annet’s work
“The training was informative, engaging, and relevant”, says Annet. Through it, Annet gained hands-on experience with data visualisation tools, learnt statistical analysis and interpretation, understood data quality, ethical considerations, and communicating findings. She has also enhanced her skills for delivering effective training.
I have greater confidence now, both to analyse data, and to deliver training to pass these skills onto others.
Even with the competing priorities, limited funding, and lack of technical experts in local contexts, using data effectively means that Annet can direct activity to the places where humanitarian engineering projects are needed most – and her work can have the greatest impact.
Annet plans to integrate data analysis and interpretation into her humanitarian engineering projects. She’s passing on what she learnt to the humanitarian engineers she works with at Makerere University. Informed by sound data, the engineers she trains can also deliver humanitarian engineering that genuinely reaches the people who need it, in the most effective way.
Essentials of Humanitarian Data Analysis is part of the Data Literacy Project, generously supported by USAID, and delivered in partnership with ACAPS.
Mercy’s new confidence from Essentials of Humanitarian Data Analysis training means she can demonstrate that gender issues are not “just women’s issues”.
Mercy Wanjohi works in the County Government of Nairobi, Kenya. She is a social scientist, working in gender and inclusivity. She leads programmes to mainstream gender across the work of the county government, as well as coordinating Nairobi County Safe Shelter, for survivors of gender-based violence.
Mercy relies on data related to gender and gender-based violence in Nairobi to inform her policy recommendations to decision-makers.
Gender issues are not given the relevant weight that is needed. There is very low understanding of what other sectors can do to mainstream gender. We don’t have the required information, so we can’t communicate the needs to decision makers.
Why are gender issues not considered important? As Mercy explains, “most people have the perception that gender issues are women’s issues”.
Mercy joined Essentials of Humanitarian Data Analysis training in September 2024, to understand how to collect, analyse, and share data with decision makers. Now, she can recommend policies in Nairobi that support survivors of gender-based violence most effectively, and mainstream gender issues across the work of the Nairobi County government.
“I was able to understand data sources and how to prepare analysis, as well as the different types of analysis”, she says. “Now, I’m confident to present data well for different audiences.
A renewed confidence to present policy to decision-makers
Since the training, Mercy has returned to her role with a renewed confidence to engage decision makers with data on gender and gender-based violence. She’s reviewing all the data available to her, to analyse and use in her policy-making, and share with key stakeholders.
“I am a firm believer that we are all endowed with a lot of talents that can help us as communities solve problems. It’s been so valuable to enhance my capacity to do so, through this opportunity”.
Essentials of Humanitarian Data Analysis is part of the Data Literacy Project, generously supported by USAID, and delivered in partnership with ACAPS.