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ECB simulation case study now in English, French and Spanish
Published on 4 April 2012
The new ECB Project simulations case study is now available in French and Spanish, as well as English, thanks to funding from Oxfam:
- Playing with Reality: The ECB experience using emergency simulations to improve humanitarian response
- Jouer avec la réalité: l’expérience ECB utilise les simulations d’urgence pour améliorer la réponse humanitaire
- Jugar con la realidad: Experiencia de ECB en el uso de simulaciones de emergencia para mejorar la respuesta humanitaria
The case study focuses on the learning from implementing the ECB Project multi-agency simulations at the national level between April 2010 and March 2012, using the ECB Simulations Administrators Guide.
In this period, nine simulations were successfully conducted in all five ECB consortia including three in Bangladesh, one in Bolivia, Indonesia and Niger, three in the Horn of Africa (two in Kenya and one in Uganda), involving a total of more than 200 participants from over 50 agencies.
The simulations were all multi-agency, facilitated by staff experienced in running such events from global, regional and national levels. Where possible, national staff work alongside international facilitators in order to build a cadre of national staff experienced in facilitating simulations.
The simulations case study highlights five key recommendations for future simulation organisers and facilitators:
1. Start planning at least three months in advance
Learning and debriefing carried out by ECB simulation organisers and facilitators has consistently highlighted that the time required to organise a simulation – particularly a multi-agency initiative – is frequently underestimated
2. Get the budget right
Cost can vary considerably depending on where the simulation is held and can range from $5,000 to $25,000.
3. Get the right people in the room
Senior staff should not delegate attendance to another staff member as this is unlikely to happen in an emergency – simulations need to have decision-makers in the room in order to role-play decision-making in an emergency response.
4. The debrief is the most important part of the simulation.
The debrief provides an essential space for reflection on opportunities and recommendations to improve practice.
5. Experienced facilitators are essential
The role of the simulation facilitator is to ensure participants feel stretched and challenged but in a way that enables positive learning to be established. This requires a specific skill set in a facilitator.
Download the simulations case study in English, French and Spanish. Visit our ECB case study library.
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