Zambia Red Cross Equips Refugees with Life-Saving First Aid Skills

By Alain kabinda

LUSAKA, Zambia — In an emergency, the difference between life and death can sometimes come down to a few minutes.

A fall, a serious cut, a burn, a road accident or a sudden medical emergency can happen anywhere. And for people living in refugee settlements, where access to health and emergency services may sometimes be challenging, the ability to provide immediate assistance can be especially important.

It is against this backdrop that the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has launched a first aid training programme for members of refugee communities as part of the 2026 World First Aid Day commemoration.

The Commemoration was being held at the Zambia Red Cross Society Training Centre in Lusaka, the initiative is built around this year's theme: “First Aid in Migration Contexts – First Aid for Everyone, Everywhere.”

The message is simple but powerful: first aid should not be a skill reserved for health professionals. Ordinary people, when properly trained, can become the first line of response when emergencies occur.

Speaking at the training, Zambia Red Cross Society Secretary General Mr. Cosmas Sakala said the Society remained committed to making first aid accessible to everyone, including people living in refugee settlements and communities affected by emergencies and disasters.

Mr. Sakala described first aid as a practical, life-saving skill that allows people to respond quickly and appropriately to injuries and medical emergencies before professional medical assistance arrives.

For refugee and displaced communities, he said, such skills can be particularly valuable because they may face unique challenges in accessing timely healthcare and emergency support.

“By equipping refugees and host communities with first-aid knowledge and skills, we strengthen their ability to protect themselves, support one another and build safer, more resilient communities,” Mr. Sakala said.

The training therefore goes beyond teaching participants what to do in an emergency. It is also about building confidence and creating a network of people capable of supporting their families, neighbours and wider communities when disaster strikes.

He further added that a trained first aider may be the person who knows how to respond while an ambulance is still on its way. They may be the person who helps prevent a situation from becoming worse, comforts an injured person and provides essential assistance during those crucial first moments.

And Representing the Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Tovin Kaneneka, Principal Refugee Officer Mr. Edward Simfukwe said Government recognised that supporting refugee communities goes beyond providing basic services.

He said it also involves strengthening the capacity of refugee communities, promoting self-reliance and creating safer and more resilient communities.

Mr. Smfukwe said the World First Aid Day theme was particularly relevant because people affected by migration and displacement should also have access to essential life-saving skills.

“First aid is a vital skill that can make the difference between life and death,” he said.

He commended the Zambia Red Cross Society for marking World First Aid Day through practical action that directly benefits refugee communities.

He also said that this demonstrates the importance of partnerships between Government, humanitarian organisations and communities in responding to the needs of people affected by displacement.

Mr. Simfukwe urged participants to take the training seriously and, importantly, to pass the knowledge on to their families, friends and other members of their communities.

For the Zambia Red Cross Society, the programme also presents an opportunity to connect refugee communities to a wider humanitarian movement.

Mr. Simfukwe said participants would have an opportunity to learn about Zambia Red Cross membership and volunteerism, creating pathways for them to become more actively involved in humanitarian activities and community development.

Meanwhile Zambia Red Cross Society for National Training Chairperson (NTC), Mr. Imbwela Imbwela, said the Society welcomed participants to the training and remained committed to ensuring

Mr. Imbwela said first aid was an important practical skill that could empower individuals to respond effectively to emergencies before professional medical assistance was available.

 Mr. Imbwela said equipping refugees and displaced populations with first aid knowledge is particularly important because they often faced unique risks and challenges.