Strengthening humanitarian capacities is essential to improving emergency response and ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the help they need. In the context of the Sphere Humanitarian Standards, several training initiatives have been carried out around the world, with the aim of expanding the understanding and application of these essential standards in the humanitarian sector.
The Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) has been one of the main facilitators of these trainings, promoting courses and workshops in different countries, both online and in person.
Online Trainings: Integrating the Humanitarian Standards
The Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) has taken the Sphere Humanitarian Standards to different sectors through online trainings. One of these actions took place in partnership with the Paula Frassinetti Higher School of Education, the FAFIRE University Center and the Santa Dorotéia do Lobito Teaching School. In this course, the content of the Sphere Standards was integrated into the curriculum for Education in Emergency Situations and Humanitarian Responses, providing a better understanding of the global humanitarian system.
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Cáritas Brasil also provided training for its social workers, focusing on the application of the Sphere Standards in Urban Scenarios. The course aimed to improve the skills of participants in situations that require rapid and effective responses. The Refugee Reintegration Institute and the Dom Luciano Shelter also took part in the training on the standards, with the aim of training social and municipal workers to better serve communities in crisis situations.
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In-Person Training: Knowledge Expansion and Trainer Training
In addition to online courses, the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) has also promoted in-person training courses, which stand out for their direct contact and exchange of experiences among participants. One of the most notable events was the Cycle of Workshops and Training of Trainers held in Poland, with the collaboration of the Sphere Association and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy/Save the Children International. During the first half of 2023, 46 social and humanitarian actors from five Eastern European countries (Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Slovakia) participated in the cycle of three training courses, with the aim of introducing and disseminating the Sphere Standards in the region.
The first workshop, held in Warsaw, addressed the Sphere Standards with 18 participants from Poland and Ukraine, many of whom are involved in the response to the crisis in Ukraine. The second workshop, held in Przemysl, was an experience rich in exchange of experiences, given the intercultural diversity of the participants. The event was attended by representatives from Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova, who shared their perspectives on the Ukrainian crisis and the humanitarian response in the border regions.
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To conclude the cycle of workshops, the training of trainers in Warsaw, between June 19 and 23, 2023, trained 14 new trainers certified in the Sphere Standards, expanding the network for disseminating good humanitarian practices in Eastern Europe. For Ricardo Treno, a volunteer humanitarian actor and one of the facilitators of the Sphere training, “The training aimed not only to transmit theoretical knowledge, but also to provide an in-depth immersion in the content, favoring meaningful learning and improving the approach to the activities carried out by the participants. In addition, it emphasized the practical application of the knowledge acquired throughout the training,” he emphasizes.
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New Challenges: Training in Brazil and Future Projects
In Brazil, training also continued with a workshop in Porto Alegre, from June 19 to 21, 2024, focused on the response to the floods that hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The event brought together 19 participants from different areas, such as the public sector, volunteers, and civil society organizations.
“It was an immense honor for us to welcome the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) to our city (Porto Alegre), sharing knowledge on humanitarian needs in extreme times, which allowed us to have a broader vision of how to act in the midst of the crisis and how to organize ourselves,” pointed out the representatives of Green Thinkin, civil society organizations that participated in the training.
The Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) has also invested in expanding its international operations. During the HNPW 2023, held in Geneva, the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) shared its experiences in the 25th anniversary panel of the Sphere Standards.
At the same event, the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) also contributed to the 10th session of the Accountability to Affected People course at the University of Geneva, highlighting the importance of involving affected populations in the decision-making process. The experience of the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) in the context of the Roraima Mission was one of the examples shared, showing how the participation of the Venezuelan indigenous migrant and refugee population has been a crucial factor in building more effective and sustainable solutions.
The Global Forum of Sphere Focal Points took place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 13 to 15, bringing together representatives from all continents. The event promoted the exchange of experiences, lessons learned and expectations for the future among international humanitarian actors. It also marked the beginning of the partnership between the Sphere and the Communications team of the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) to disseminate the Minimum Standards and the different approaches of the Focal Points in the humanitarian response.
The Impact of the Trainings
By carrying out these trainings, the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) has strengthened its partnerships and expanded its reach, forming an international network of trained humanitarian actors prepared to respond to crises more effectively. The training projects in the Sphere Standards are helping to ensure that humanitarian responses are more aligned with the principles of dignity, humanity and impartiality, which are fundamental to ensuring adequate and effective assistance.
The Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) remains committed to the ongoing training of professionals and volunteers, ensuring that humanitarian standards are disseminated throughout the world, and contributing to the construction of a stronger humanitarian system that is prepared to face global challenges.
