This week in Gitega, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), WFP Burundi, and the Government of Burundi joined forces to launch a dynamic three-day Emergency Telecommunications Training and Preparedness Workshop. The goal is to ensure that when emergencies strike, responders are equipped with the tools, skills, and coordination needed to act swiftly and effectively.

Over the course of the workshop, 29 participants from government bodies and humanitarian partners immersed themselves in sessions designed to sharpen technical skills, enhance inter-agency coordination, and embed telecommunications into the backbone of national crisis response. From radio protocols to connectivity planning, the sessions reflected a shared commitment to resilience and readiness.

The workshop culminated today in a hands-on tabletop simulation—an opportunity for participants to put theory into practice. By testing real-world scenarios, teams were able to refine their response strategies and reinforce the critical role of telecoms in saving lives during emergencies.

As Burundi continues to strengthen its preparedness systems, initiatives like this workshop highlight the power of collaboration and capacity-building. When responders are connected, informed, and trained, communities are safer—and recovery is faster.