Building regional capacity: training trainers in anticipatory action across the Americas

Disasters are growing more frequent and severe across Latin America and the Caribbean. The German Red Cross, through its regional programme for the Americas, is supporting National Red Cross Societies to shift their focus from reacting to anticipating these disasters. At the core of this effort is an investment in training, to ensure that staff have the skills and tools they need to anticipate hazards and strengthen communities' long-term resilience.

The 'Training of trainers in anticipatory action' initiative has become a key mechanism for building regional leadership on this approach, as well as expanding technical knowledge across National Societies in the Americas. It increases people's understanding of early action protocols (EAPs), and enhances their facilitation skills so they can repeat the training for their colleagues.

A regional learning process

In Panama City, Panama, participants from ten National Societies – Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay – took part in an intensive training-of-trainers workshop, focused on acquiring practical, applicable competencies. Over five days, 20 participants engaged in collaborative exercises, role-playing and discussion panels designed to promote active learning, cultural exchange and hands-on experience with anticipatory action methodologies.

The objective of the training was clear: to equip them with the skills to facilitate further training on anticipatory action at the national level, and to support the development and activation of EAPs in the Americas. Those who successfully completed the workshop received a certificate and are now accredited trainers who are able to lead workshops for their own National Societies.

Participants emphasized the importance of standardizing and expanding anticipatory action capacities across the region. For example, Mariano Gómez, head of the National Disaster Response Department of the Costa Rican Red Cross, noted the importance of providing National Societies with a well-defined methodology and practical tools to multiply knowledge.

Continuing the momentum

The training process did not end there. A follow-up workshop, held in Dominican Republic, expanded the network of trained personnel by combining a second training-of-trainers session with a workshop for promoters of anticipatory action. Bringing together 25 participants, these sessions reaffirmed the region's collective commitment to act before a disaster strikes, and to broaden the pool of trainers capable of leading this agenda.

This initiative is part of a long-term strategy to build the region's capacity in anticipatory action, led by the German Red Cross, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and facilitators from previously certified National Societies, with support from the American Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. As Luis Guzmán, regional coordinator for anticipatory action in the Americas at the German Red Cross, emphasized: “Capacity strengthening is not just a technical component; it is a strategy to ensure the sustainability of anticipatory action. Each certified trainer represents a multiplier driving change towards anticipatory action before a disaster's impacts are felt.”

Through these ongoing training efforts, the Americas region continues to build a stronger, more anticipatory humanitarian system: one which is prepared to act early, reduce risks and protect communities before disasters occur.