This week, IOM Czechia organized a two-days training session in Prague for members of the Czech Fire Rescue Service, representatives of NGOs and other actors, focused on the management of emergency accommodation facilities. Firefighters from various regions of Czechia participated in this event. The aim of the training is to transfer international experience in managing such centers into the Czech context, whether in response to the refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine or in the case of recent floods in Europe. During the training, participants learned about key aspects to consider when selecting and managing these facilities.

The training is based on the international CCCM (Camp Coordination and Camp Management) concept, focusing on how to manage emergency shelters while ensuring the protection and rights of those using them.

"For me, the most important aspect of this training is seeing different stakeholders approach this issue from various perspectives. The sharing of these diverse viewpoints is, in my opinion, the most valuable part of the event," said Petr Baroch from OPU (Organization for Aid to Refugees), who participated as a trainer.

Kristýna Baše, IOM Czechia Project Associate focusing on accommodation, emphasized the partnership between IOM and the Czech Fire Rescue Service, which has been in place since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “Collaborating with the Fire Rescue Service was a natural step, as they were among the first responders providing emergency accommodation,” she said. The Czech Fire Rescue Service was also responsible for registering refugees for temporary protection visas for over a year before this process has been passed to a different institution of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic.

The training was made possible thanks to the funding by the Swiss Confederation. It was designed to be highly participatory, enabling participants to share valuable experiences and knowledge. “As the International Organization for Migration, it’s our mission to connect various actors in the field. By doing so, we aim to enhance future cooperation, making it even more effective and efficient,” Baše added.

This successful training, which has now taken place in Prague, will be repeated next month in Brno, where it will be addressed both to firefighters and other staff of non-profit organizations operating in the region.

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For more information, please contact fstowasser@iom.int.