In the words of Ban Ki-moon, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations- 

"We cannot prevent disasters, but we can reduce their impact by being prepared."

Excellent training is one-way RedR Australia is focused on helping prepare as many disaster responders, diplomats and field officers as possible. Keeping teams safe, informed and operationally efficient is everyone’s priority. 

From Essentials to Hostile environments 

In February, RedR Australia hosted participants from across the Middle East to deliver our Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) course in Amman, Jordan. Later in the month a second HEAT course as well as our Essentials of Humanitarian Practice (EHP) course was held at the Victoria Emergency Management Institute (VEMI) in Mt Macedon. Participants rated all three of our courses an impressive 91% satisfaction rating, reflecting their expectations and relevance to today’s challenging global context.  

Participants learning practical skills and techniques at the VEMI Hostile Environment Awareness Training Course

Building Strong Foundations 

The Essentials of Humanitarian Practice (EHP) course held at VEMI provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the humanitarian and development sectors. Over six intensive days, participants undertook immersive simulations, gained hands-on experience, and built critical skills in coordination, humanitarian standards and response procedures.  

The EHP course is designed for both people thinking about entering the humanitarian and development sector and others who are already involved and want to enhance their understanding of field operations. Our participants reflected on the spectrum of learning, one described it as, “a wonderful foundation to help guide individuals into a particular area of interest or provide a general background into the operational space,” while another highlighted that “The learning will help me to assess ongoing responses better while out in the field and to what extent it is aligned to the humanitarian standards.” 

Another participant articulated the tangible impact of the training, highlighting its practical implementation in real-world situations, “This course provided a deeper understanding of how the humanitarian sector operates in real-world contexts without overlooking the complexities of crises. It gave me a realistic perspective on navigating challenges and will shape my approach to future planning.” 

Participants in Jordan taking part in scenario-based training

Preparing for High-Risk Environments 

In Jordan and VEMI the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) course delivered intensive, scenario-based training to prepare humanitarian and development professionals for security risks they could face in the field. The immersive simulations and real-world examples from trainers ensure participants understand realistic safety threats and critical response tactics.  

A sector experienced participant, from the Jordan course, emphasised the value of RedR Australia’s training, “I have participated in HEAT courses previously, however, the simulations in this course were really immersive. This allowed me to understand how I react in stressful situations and develop my capacity to respond in a calm manner.” 

For another Jordan participant, the training challenged their original ideas of personal safety, “Previously, I did not think about the risks to my safety on a mission, I left it to the organisation. Now, I understand the things I need to look for, how to plan for them, and how to mitigate their impact." 

Other participants from our course delivered in Jordan reflected on the experience, ‘The training has completely served its purpose and exceeded my expectations. A great learning experience, very knowledgeable and respectful trainers!”, with another highlighting its critical importance for field workers, “A training that should be an obvious standard for anyone going to hostile environments.” 

In the wake of 2024 being the deadliest year for Humanitarian workers it’s clear that we must do more to keep people safe from harm. RedR Australia will continue to deliver high quality training courses throughout the year, with expert trainers, hands-on exercises, and real-world applications, our training ensures that humanitarian and development workers are equipped with the knowledge and resilience to respond effectively throughout crises and conflict. Learn more about our upcoming courses and how you can participate.  

Donate to RedR Australia today, and help us continue to provide essential training to humanitarian professionals, ensuring they are equipped to respond to crises and conflict.