HEAT Training: critical preparation for hostile environments

An increasingly dangerous environment for humanitarian workers

Humanitarian personnel are currently among the professional groups most exposed to security risks worldwide. According to the Aid Worker Security Database, 2024 recorded a record number of casualties among humanitarian workers.

• In 2024, 383 humanitarian workers were killed, the highest number recorded since systematic statistics began.
• During the same year, more than 125 kidnappings and numerous injuries were reported in security-related incidents.
• Preliminary data from 2025 indicate that attack numbers continue to rise, with new kidnappings, detentions, and assaults reported in various countries.

These incidents include deliberate attacks on humanitarian convoys, ambushes, kidnappings for political or criminal purposes, and targeted violence against representatives of international organizations. Countries affected by prolonged conflicts, such as Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Yemen, account for a significant portion of these incidents. This context highlights the need for specific preparation for those who must operate in unsafe or unstable environments.

HEAT: preparation for operating in hostile environments

HEAT training was specifically designed to prepare professionals who must work in environments where safety cannot be taken for granted. These programs combine theory, risk analysis, and realistic simulations with the aim of developing practical skills that enable the management of crisis situations in the field. Key areas of capability development include several critical skills.

Situational awareness and risk management

One of the fundamental pillars of HEAT training is the development of situational awareness. This involves learning to:

• Identify potential threats in unstable environments
• Detect early warning signs of security deterioration
• Develop personal and team plans to avoid dangerous situations

The ability to anticipate risks is one of the most effective tools for reducing exposure to critical incidents.

Incident preparedness and response

HEAT programs include exercises designed to train responses to crisis situations. Common scenarios addressed typically include:

• Simulations of ambushes or armed attacks
• Procedures for exposure to gunfire or direct violence
• Evasion and escape techniques
• Emergency evacuations

This type of training helps develop the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.

Kidnapping and survival

The risk of kidnapping remains one of the most serious threats to international personnel in certain regions. For this reason, many HEAT programs include modules focused on:

• Reducing the risk of kidnapping through preventive measures
• Understanding expected behavior during a capture
• Applying strategies that increase the chances of survival
• Developing psychological resilience in extreme situations

First aid in resource-limited environments

In many crisis environments, specialized medical assistance may not be immediately available. For this reason, HEAT programs typically include first aid training tailored to field contexts, such as:

• Bleeding control
• Initial treatment of serious injuries
• Basic life support
• Care for burns and trauma

These skills allow a wounded person to be stabilized until professional medical care can be provided.

Learning through realistic simulations

Most HEAT courses last approximately three to five days and combine theoretical sessions with practical exercises. Common activities include:

• Simulations of attacks or ambushes
• Kidnapping management exercises
• Evacuaciones de emergencia
• Civil unrest or natural disaster scenarios
• Simulations of assaults or direct violence

Exposure to these scenarios under controlled stress conditions allows participants to internalize proper procedures and develop operational reflexes that can be critical in real situations.

HEAT and the duty of care of organizations

In addition to improving individual safety, HEAT training is increasingly linked to the principle of “Duty of Care” that organizations owe to their personnel. A widely cited case in this context is that of humanitarian worker Steve Dennis, who was kidnapped in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. The subsequent litigation highlighted the responsibility of organizations to take reasonable measures to protect their staff deployed in high‑risk environments. As a result, many organizations have strengthened their security policies and incorporated HEAT programs as part of pre‑deployment preparation.

HEAT training beyond the humanitarian sector

Although it was initially developed for humanitarian workers and journalists, HEAT training has also expanded into other sectors. Increasingly, private organizations use this type of training to prepare:

• Corporate expatriates
• International consultants
• Infrastructure project personnel
• Journalists and media teams

These professionals may find themselves in regions where risks related to crime, social unrest, or terrorism exist, making security preparation equally relevant.

Preparation as an operational advantage

The rise in violence against humanitarian workers and international staff reflects an increasingly complex operational environment. In this context, HEAT training has become a fundamental tool for preparing those who must work in high‑risk settings. Although no program can completely eliminate the dangers associated with conflict zones or humanitarian crises, experience shows that proper preparation:

• Improves situational awareness
• Reduces errors in decision‑making under pressure
• Provides tools to manage critical incidents
• Increases individual and collective resilience

Ultimately, investing in HEAT training not only protects personnel deployed in the field but also strengthens organizations’ ability to operate safely and sustainably in complex environments.

How can your organization improve its teams’ readiness to operate in high‑risk environments?