As part of its efforts in strengthening the capacities of its implementing partners to prepare and respond to humanitarian crisis across Ethiopia, IOM partnered with UNICEF to organize a training for Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) branch staff members and regional government officials.

The 3-day training on emergency preparedness and response and Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Item kits (ES/NFI) distribution techniques took place in Adama, Oromia Region from 7-9 February 2017. 50 participants from ERCS branch offices together with representatives from Regional Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Bureaus (DPPB) attended the capacity building training.

UNICEF and IOM gave the training covering the essential steps of an emergency humanitarian response cycle from data collection, assessment of needs and distribution of items to post-distribution monitoring. Specific topics ranged from basic concepts of the ES/NFI response and ES/NFI cluster to introduction of the Protection Enhanced Data Tracking Matrix (PE-DTM) – an information management tool used by IOM in its role as the ES/NFI Cluster lead agency to gather baseline information on the status and location of displaced populations across the country.  

Trainees also participated in a simulation exercise on distribution, which enabled them to directly put into practice certain key elements of the training.

IOM Ethiopia’s Emergency and Post Crisis (EPC) unit works to address the emergency and long-term needs of internally displaced persons through emergency response with ES/NFI, displacement and needs tracking with DTM and durable solutions initiatives. EPC also carries out capacity building activities to strengthen the knowledge and skills of relevant government officials and local partners such as the ERCS in humanitarian response and preparedness, specifically in assisting displaced populations across Ethiopia.

“This type of cooperation is critical, to build the capacity of our partners and counterparts, and to share our significant experience,” said Martin Wyndham, IOM Ethiopia EPC Programme Coordinator.