Our training courses on Humanitarian Assistance and Women, Peace, Security in West Africa (HAWA^WPS) are run at the  hosts our training courses on Humanitarian Assistance and Women, Peace, Security in West Africa (HAWA^WPS). If you are interested in participating, please apply through the website of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

HAWA^WPS Core Course (HAWA^WPS CC)

The Humanitarian Assistance in West Africa Core Course aims at strengthening capacities for effective humanitarian assistance by providing participants with thorough knowledge and skills of the humanitarian sector (informed by the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach); and enhancing interaction and mutual understanding between actors from civil protection authorities, security forces, and NGOs involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  

The HAWA Core Course will provide a thorough introduction to Humanitarian Assistance; including Humanitarian Actors and their mandates, roles and modes of operation; the Disaster Risk Management Cycle, Typology of Disasters, Components of Humanitarian Action, Humanitarian Principles, Standards and Codes of Conduct, the Do no harm approach and International Humanitarian Law. Topics of Emergency Mass Evacuation, Coordination and Information Management between actors in the field, Human Security, Displacement and Protection of Civilians will be discussed in theory, complemented by practical exercises, as well Gender and diversity concerns in humanitarian action.  

Set at the operational level, the course targets a mixed group of mid-level humanitarian professionals from state authorities (national and local governments, Ministries, Emergency Management Agencies), (I)NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and members of the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, as well as security forces (military, police) directly or indirectly involved in humanitarian action. 

Course languages: English & French with simultaneous translation

HAWA Training of Trainers (ToT)

Upon graduation from the HAWA Core Course the same participants are participating in a ToT session which aims at enabling the HAWA Core Corse graduates to strengthen their capabilities in the field of adult training learning. Participants learn to design and deliver impactful learning experiences taking inro account conflict- and gender-sensitive aspects of humanitarian assistance in West Africa, whilst using a variety of different training styles and methodologies.

Target group:  The HAWA CC graduates. 

Course languages: The ToT is held in separate sessions of either English or French language. 

Specialisation Course on Gender Responsive Climate Action in Humanitarian Assistance

The specialication course on gender responsive climate action in humanitarian assistance seeks to contribute towards addressing the existing gap in shaping a gender-responsive, rights-based approach to climate action. This capacity strengthening workshop aimed at critically exploring and reflecting on the nexus of climate change, conflict and gender, and conceptualizing ways of addressing it by ensuring that gendered dimensions are included in the development of humanitarian initiatives.

Course language: English

In Cooperation with

Further Information

Download HAWA COURSE BROCHURE ENGLISH/FRENCH