Empowering Humanitarian Professionals in Managing the Venezuelan Migrant Crisis through Effective Information Management Trainings

Focusing on vital information management skills, the Humanitarian Information Management program aims to foster a self-perpetuating ecosystem of knowledge transfer, enhancing the quality of the humanitarian response. Rising to this challenge, iMMAP Colombia developed the Humanitarian Information Management program to bolster the capacity of NGOs responding to the crisis. This program was first piloted in October 2022 in partnership with Javeriana University, one of Colombia's oldest and most respected educational institutions. Nearly a thousand participants, hailed from more than 100 organizations involved in the Migrant and Refugee Response Plan, have enrolled. They accessed this program from various locations in Columbia and Latin America. 

Sebastian Gallego, from the International Rescue Committee, acknowledging the transformative power of training and its essential role in empowering individuals to navigate internal processes and external challenges. He stated that “the training provides an important theoretical content and practical tools”, as well as highlights the crucial element of knowledge appropriation. According to him, being able to respond to the real-world situations is as important as to acquiring a new knowledge. 

Marcela Guerrero, from iMMAP Colombia, noted how she has witnessed the profound transformations that occur when strengthening the capacities of humanitarian workers in Colombia and the wider región. This empowerment enables organizations to make informed decisions, analyze complex situations, and efficiently coordinate resources, leading to improved response efforts.  

Participants who successfully complete the program earn accolades from the Javeriana University and from an international organization called the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA). A recognition by NOHA means that the participant's training and skills are of a standard accepted by a respected international association, adding to their credibility and standing in the humanitarian community. 

The Humanitarian Information Management program provides self-guided, self-paced trainings with 18 modules currently online and a few more to be added soon. These modules are all available on Moodle, allowing asynchronous time management, and to accommodate the participant’s diverse schedules and their quality of internet connections.  

Jesús Umaña, representing the International Organization for Migration, emphasizes the value of these modules in providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.  

The modules are categorized into different themes, adapted to participant’s level of knowledge -- basic, intermediate, and advanced. Training for Trainers modules are designed to enhance their proficiency in crucial information management skills, while fostering sustainable knowledge transfer within the realm of humanitarian response.  Axel Rodriguez from Social Pastoral attests to the positive outcomes generated by these trainings, highlighting their ability to optimize organizational workflows and promote transparency and collaboration among team members.