The Colombian Red Cross (CRC) and the ICRC have been working together since 2015 to improve the acceptance, security and access of the National Society, by organizing workshops, training and other relevant activities. In 2017, as part of this effort, the Movement partners organized a complex four-day exercise centred around the provision of a first-aid response during a football match taking place in a violent neighbourhood.

So that the simulation was as realistic as possible, the National Society mobilized more than 250 participants and involved the local government, the armed and security forces, as well as local health, education and first-responder institutions (including the local hospital and ambulance services), each with their own role to play.

Personnel from all levels of the National Society – including members of its governing board, managers, technical advisors and volunteers – also took part in this unique exercise, which gave them an unprecedented understanding of how the Safer Access Framework (SAF) can be applied in practice together with local and state institutions.

This video (in Spanish) outlines the simulation exercise and the lessons learnt. In addition, the CRC has kindly agreed to share the scenario of the simulation (also in Spanish), which can be used by other components of the Movement. It is available on FedNet here.