On 31 January and 3 February 2025, CIFAL Lebanon hosted its first webinar of the year, “An Introduction to Emergency Response Planning (ERP).” This two-part session officially launched the center's 2025 initiatives, focusing on strengthening preparedness and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

The sessions were co-hosted by Youssef Haj Ali, Country Director of GCEOA Lebanon, and Sandy El Zakhem, Senior Programme Manager of GCEOA Lebanon. Together, they guided a diverse audience of professionals from NGOs, community organizations, and the public and private sectors, providing a foundational understanding of Emergency Response Planning (ERP) and its critical role in effective crisis management.

As part of its monthly webinar series, CIFAL Lebanon introduced the ERP sessions to promote a proactive approach to crisis management by equipping participants with practical tools for preparedness, response, and recovery. This webinar demonstrated the importance of sustainable systems while reinforcing the need for collaboration between institutions and stakeholders to foster safer communities.  

Key Highlights

• ERP as a Foundational Tool: Discussions underscored the importance of Emergency Response Plans as a critical element in minimizing risks and ensuring effective crisis response.  

• Real-World Applications: Participants explored case studies that demonstrated how ERP strategies have been applied to navigate complex emergencies.  

• Collaboration is Key: Emphasis was placed on the value of partnerships between NGOs, governments, and private organizations in achieving coordinated and effective responses.  

• Humanitarian Principles in Practice: The webinar examined the application of core humanitarian principles such as neutrality, impartiality, and humanity in emergency planning and response.  

Participant Engagement  

The interactive sessions encouraged active participation through Q&A discussions. Attendees posed insightful questions on challenges in ERP implementation, strategies for conducting risk assessments, and approaches to integrate ERPs into organizational workflows.  

Pre- and post-assessments were conducted to gauge learning outcomes, with results showing improved confidence and knowledge among participants. Feedback highlighted the webinar’s practical focus and relevance to real-world challenges.  

Looking Ahead

This webinar is one of many important discussions CIFAL Lebanon will be hosting in 2025. As part of our ongoing capacity-building initiatives, we invite you to join our upcoming session this February, where we will further explore Emergency Response Planning, focusing on practical strategies, crisis communication, and coordination approaches to enhance preparedness and resilience. 

Registration is now open! Secure your spot today and continue expanding your knowledge on effective emergency response planning. 

• Date: 27-28 February 2025 

• Register here: https://adec-innovations.zoom.us/meeting/register/-WM4Sl6tTt25ixcYr5lrug#/registration  

 

Stay Connected with GCEOA-CIFAL Lebanon 

For more updates on CIFAL Lebanon's latest initiatives, capacity-building programs, and upcoming events, connect with us: 

• Website: https://www.cifal-lebanon.com/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cifal-lebanon

• Contact us at: info@cifal-lebanon.com