ADRA Europe Builds Capacity for Humanitarian Emergencies
When disasters strike, every second counts — and so does preparation. As a global humanitarian organisation present in more than 120 countries, ADRA is committed to responding quickly and effectively when communities are in crisis. But readiness doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of investment, training, and collaboration.
That’s why this May, ADRA Europe is bringing together 25 humanitarian professionals from 11 European countries for an intensive Emergency Response Team (ERT) training in Slovakia’s High Tatras mountains. This advanced-level training week combines classroom learning with a full-scale disaster simulation — designed not just to test knowledge, but to sharpen instincts, teamwork, and coordination under pressure.
Disaster preparedness training that makes a difference
The simulation isn’t hypothetical. ADRA invited colleagues from Ukraine, Syria, and Lebanon to participate and contribute real-life insights from active humanitarian contexts. The disaster simulation scenario this week unfolds in a Roma community and challenges the teams to plan and deliver a humanitarian response that meets international standards — all while being closely observed and evaluated.
Participants work in high-stress conditions to set up coordination structures, manage logistics, and deliver assistance — just as they would during a real disaster. Those who successfully complete the training will be invited to join ADRA Europe’s Regional Roster: a deployable team ready to respond when a crisis occurs, whether in Europe or beyond.
Here in Europe, ADRA has offices in 31 countries and is committed to building local emergency management capacity and to work with local and national Governments to deliver humanitarian assistance.
At the end of the week, the ERT participants will be invited to join the Europe Regional Roster, where staff can be deployed to support a disaster response anywhere in the region, or globally. The training also builds capacity for disaster preparedness with the development of national emergency plans, pre-approved funding and an incident management system to ensure a timely response.
Saving lives tomorrow starts with being prepared today.
