Five National societies from Central Asia gathered in Khujand, Tajikistan on 30 and 31 July for a joint NS/ICRC SAF training session, which was facilitated by the ICRC’s National Society capacity-building support adviser, Catherine Marie Martin.

The training was designed to allow National Society representatives to reflect on their own Safer Access practices in relation to their role. It provided a forum for them to discuss common challenges and experiences, exchange best practice and learn about new approaches.

Feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive. Rano Kamolova, programme coordinator for the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, commented: “The training was very useful, as it used understandable language and interactive methodology, which made the whole Safer Access Framework concept easier and clear for us.”

Abidov Zafar, assistant capacity-building programme coordinator for the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan, added: “The training used role-plays and scenario-building methodologies, which were really useful in helping us to better understand how to manage risk, and to understand how our humanitarian actions – or inaction – can create a positive or negative perception in the communities we work in.”

First-aid trainer with the Kazakh Red Crescent Society Talgat Sagimbayev said: “We discussed various SAF topics from different sides and so were able to consider the situations and options from different angles.” Meanwhile, Guvanch Molaeve, programme coordinator for the Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan, found it particularly useful “as a new member of the NS”.

Sanjar Umarov, head of the socio-medical department of the Red Crescent Society of Uzbekistan, summed up the general feeling, saying: “The seminar allowed all participants to understand SAF, to familiarize themselves with the practical application of the Safer Access approach and to have an opportunity to exchange experiences that can be applied in the Central Asia region.”