Workshop on Emergency Management (WEM/ERT)
The Workshop on Emergency Management (WEM/ERT) is an internal UNHCR Workshop for members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) Roster members. The pilot Workshop was held in October 1993; WEM is now organized on a regular basis in March and September each year.
The primary aim is to prepare ERT Roster members for deployment. The Workshop is highly participatory, focusing on providing practical tips, tools and techniques to equip staff in managing emergency teams or participating as team members in emergency/repatriation operations. It has a more specific focus than the EMTP, and while prior participation in the EMTP is not a prerequisite, it may be an asset.
The 3 main themes of the Workshop are:
1 managing your role
2 managing relations
3 managing oneself
5 stages of emergency deployment are covered:
1 pre-deployment
2 arrival
3 team building & delivery
4 handover
5 return
Workshops are held near Geneva for around 28 participants.
The timing of the Workshops coincides with the beginning of the six month term of the new ERT roster, currently April and October of each year. The course is facilitated by an external consultant and normally at least two EPROs act as resource persons.
How to request
Since participation in the Workshop is dependent on membership of the ERT it is first necessary to be placed on the ERT roster [see section on Human Resources]. All ERT members should attend the WEM.
Targeted Training
EPRS complements its two core training activities - the EMTP and the WEM - by providing support to ad hoc emergency training of three general kinds:
a) Country or Region specific courses with a particular focus, for example contingency planning.
b) Workshops for a specific target audience such as training for external standby staff from agencies such as the Nordic Refugee Councils, Redda Barnen etc., as well as for staff at HQs (WEM/HQs).
c) Emergency courses organized locally by UNHCR Branch offices. For these local initiatives, EPRS is unable to provide funds or resource persons but can offer guidance on course outline and materials to assist in the preparation of training sessions.
d) Special seminars for senior managers on Emergency Management (Advanced Emergency Management Seminar (AEMS)).
How to request
Training requests will normally originate from field offices. Where forward planning is possible, the training sessions should be incorporated into the annual training plan. Where sudden or changed circumstances are the basis for a training need, a submission should be sent to EPRS through the relevant Desk. It should once again be stressed that in doing so, one should not assume that EPRS can provide resource persons for such training.
