News

Training for aid workers from the World Health Organization
21 May 2019 - 09:51
Source: Clingendael Academy

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan has been working towards the eradication of polio in the country for many years, together with several partners such as UNICEF, the Afghan Ministry of Health and others, as a part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). As a result of their efforts, only 21 cases of polio were reported in Afghanistan in 2018 and total eradication of this harmful virus is close. However, there are still obstacles in reaching the final goal, such as violence against humanitarian aid workers, interference in the implementation of their activities and restricted access.

Therefore, at the request of the WHO, Clingendael trained 17 aid workers from WHO, UNICEF and the Afghan Ministry of Health in humanitarian negotiation in New Delhi, on 14, 15 and 16 May. All participants are actively involved in the polio campaigns, either as medical doctors, team leaders or social mobilization officers. These professionals negotiate  with non-state armed actors, community elders and religious leaders as part of their daily work.

The training was comprised of various simulations in order to strengthen the participant´s negotiation skills. One participant said: This was the first time we ever had such an interactive training. I think it was very useful for our work and more colleagues should have the opportunity to participate in this training.

The participants shared their personal experiences and reflected on ways the training would help them in their daily work in order to continue to make the Polio Eradication program a success.

Are you interested in our training? Check out our  training page Humanitarian Negotiation.