During August and September, forty-six people, representing eight countries, participated in the training of the basic curriculum for humanitarian servers, offered by the Training and Development Subcommittee of the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM).
Among the participants were members of the Lys Light-Community in Portugal and the European Light-Network, encompassing the following countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, England, and even a country from South America, Uruguay.
The training was done in an online modality, lasting twenty-three hours, and was divided into two groups, one with the classes presented in Portuguese for Portuguese and Spanish speakers, and the other in English and French.
The course was divided into nine modules, with the subjects: Sphere Handbook, Institutional Relationships, First Aid, Education in Emergencies, CCCM (Camp Coordination and Camp Management), Psychological First Aid, and PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment).
According to Cláudia Sanches, the person responsible for the Secretariat of the Training and Development (T&D) Subcommittee of the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM), “the objective of the training was to prepare the participants for acting in humanitarian responses, so necessary in current times.”
Statements of the Participants
In addition to the technical background, the training offered motivated the participants for what is increasingly a global need: the humanitarian action.
Jhonny Silva, who is from Portugal and is part of the European Light-Network, at the end of the training, said: “I feel honored to have been part of this training; the trainers are very attentive and show a willingness to teach.”
The training ended up giving Jhonny the impetus to continue, “I am very interested in being able to be a part of it, and if possible, to also be present in practice in the daily missions.”
Another participant, who is a member of the European Light-Network, born in Venezuela and living in Spain, Jahemeli Garcia, said: “I found this introductory training very constructive. I was able to recognize that there is a whole super logistics behind humanitarian work.”
Jahemeli was very pleased that he participated in the training, because he felt he had expanded his awareness as to the needs existing in the world. “With the videos that were presented, I was able to recognize that my problems are nothing, and that there are many people who need not only our prayers, but also our material help, our immediate action.”
Participating in the training in the English language, and also a member of the European Light-Network, Liliane Sebatigita-Kambirigi was born in Burundi, a country of Eastern Africa, and today lives in Belgium. She confirms the importance of this initial training, stating: “I feel privileged in receiving such important information and more knowledge on the humanitarian work and emergencies. I am aware that this is a very useful background for any critical or sensitive situation involving human vulnerability.”
Liliane says she was particularly touched by two topics present in the training: “when the training revisits ‘Fundamental humanitarian standards’ and ‘Principles of protection,’ I felt a deep respect for the displaced populations or refugees, who are simply trying to find a place where they can sleep and eat. The emphasis is in ‘listening to their needs and responding appropriately.’ I couldn’t help thinking: ‘and if it were me?’
She emphasizes how much the training goes beyond simply transmitting technical content. “The approach of the training is human-focused, because it places us at the center of the humanitarian activity, explaining the inner framework of the intervention and placing the tools in our hands for offering a new life in community to newcomers. The training emphasizes that this can’t be done without synergy and coordination, external and internal, and furthermore, it also demands a personal commitment, involvement and participation.”
Even with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the T&D Subcommittee of the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) continues to offer this kind of training to expand humanitarian aid. Find out more here.
