DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have co-organized the 1st Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop on Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs), with the participation of 20 participants from 10 National Societies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
It was a capacity-building training for the region's National Societies in emergency support and response to population displacement caused by conflicts and disasters. HSPs are one of the top five capacity-building priorities for MENA National Societies to better respond to migration/displacement waves, identified by the regional survey conducted in March 2023.
By exchanging theoretical experience and practical scenarios, the participants were introduced to the nature, design, and operation of HSPs, capitalizing on the Emergency Additional Capacity Team as a vital component of the National Society response to population movements.
On the sidelines of the workshop, Head of Relief and Disaster Management at QRCS Subhi Fahad Al Ejjeh stressed the importance of such courses that address the humanitarian aspect of migration, especially amid the enormous complications in the region, such as natural disasters, armed conflict, and climate change impacts, resulting in large numbers of IDPs and refugees.
"QRCS closely coordinates various training activities closely with IFRC to be held in Qatar," said Al Ejjeh. "It is crucial to have a lot of regional resources and expertise in disaster response, which can provide solutions and support in this respect," he added.
In turn, Regional Head of Health, Disasters, Climate, and Crises (HDCC) Unit at IFRC - MENA Dr Hosam Faysal said: "This workshop represents our renewed commitment as a humanitarian network to assisting IDPs, host communities, and the National Societies actively meeting their needs. This is in conformity with our 2030 Joint Strategy in relation to ensuring that migrants enjoy safety, humane treatment, and dignity and that no one is left behind."
The five-day event was held with the participation of facilitators from IFRC - Geneva, IFRC - MENA, the Italian Red Cross, and the British Red Cross. It was attended by trainees from the QRCS, Libyan Red Crescent, the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS), the Lebanese Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Jordan National Red Crescent Society (JNRCS), Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Yemen Red Crescent Society, and the Egyptian Red Crescent.