ZIF strengthens humanitarian access in the MENA region

Last week, a particularly practice-oriented regional training course on improving humanitarian access took place in Amman, the capital of Jordan. It was organized and conducted by the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In a region marked by tensions and armed conflict, access to humanitarian aid remains a daily challenge. The training was aimed at professionals from humanitarian organizations who are searching for solutions in a difficult environment in order to provide urgently needed aid to the affected populations.

Targeted regional cooperation for success

The training was specifically tailored to the needs of the participants – experts from international and national humanitarian organizations who face the challenges of humanitarian access on a daily basis. Thanks to close cooperation with OCHA, our long-standing partner in the field of humanitarian training, the training could be specifically tailored to the circumstances of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). ZIF and OCHA have been working together successfully since 2011, focusing on practical training formats to provide valuable skills and knowledge to local professionals.

Excellent expertise and practical exercises

This scenario-based training included group exercises, individual tasks, and role-plays covering a wide range of thematical and technical topics that impact humanitarian access constraints, or better that enhance the likelihood of being granted access:

• International Humanitarian Law & human rights
• Civil-military coordination & armed escorts
• Context analysis, data collection & actor coordination
• Humanitarian notification systems & community engagement
• Humanitarian negotiation & diplomacy
• Soft Skills

The training content was enriched by valuable input from various subject matter experts, who helped participants turn the training into a successful exchange with their practical insights.

Participants and highlights

Twenty-four professionals from international organizations and international and national NGOs from Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, Jordan, Iran, and Syria took part in the training. There was a particular focus on sharing experiences and best practices, with ZIF experts also contributing their experiences. The exchange of real insights and solutions was the central value of the training, which was financially supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Outlook: Sustainable impact through knowledge sharing

Such training formats not only strengthen the technical skills of those involved, but also lay the foundation for continuous knowledge exchange and closer cooperation in the MENA region. ZIF remains committed to providing humanitarian organizations and their staff with the tools they need to deliver aid safely and effectively under the most difficult conditions.