Foundation Trains Frontline Aid Workers In Adamawa

The Ohaha Family Foundation has ended a humanitarian negotiation skills training to strengthen the capacity of frontline aid workers in Adamawa State and the wider Northeast.

The two-day training brought together field and managerial members of staff from national and international humanitarian organisations, equipping them with tools to secure access, manage stakeholder relationships and operate effectively in complex and high-pressure environments.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP, the organisers said the initiative was designed to enhance humanitarian workers’ ability to deliver assistance more safely and in line with established principles, particularly as the operating environment in the Northeast becomes increasingly challenging.

Delivered by the alumni of the Clingendael Academy, the programme focused on bridging the gap between negotiation theory and field realities.

The participants engaged in interactive simulations reflecting real-world scenarios, role-play sessions to sharpen communication and de-escalation skills, and peer learning exchanges to share field experiences and context-specific strategies.

The training also introduced operational tools and checklists to support the planning and execution of humanitarian negotiations, with sessions covering humanitarian access, protection of civilians, operational diplomacy and coordination challenges.

A facilitator at the Ohaha Family Foundation, John Ede, said the goal was to ensure that the participants could immediately apply the skills acquired in their daily operations.

“Our goal is to give practitioners hands-on negotiation experience they can use the moment they return to the field, so that humanitarian teams can negotiate access, protect communities and deliver assistance more safely and effectively,” he said.

The participants were drawn from organisations working across Adamawa and the Northeast, a region where humanitarian actors often navigate interactions with local authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders under difficult conditions.

The programme was implemented in collaboration with Valfasam Care Foundation, Concern on Climate Change for the Community Initiative, Danuwa Empowerment Foundation and Nkafamiya Rescue Mission.