Stratum Levant and Black Aspect Safety Deliver First Accredited Hostile Environment Course in Jordan
Stratum Levant and Black Aspect Safety in partnership with the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), has successfully delivered the first fully accredited Hostile Environment & First Aid Responder (HEFAR) course in Amman, Jordan. This groundbreaking programme trained 12 journalists from the ARIJ network, welcoming participants from across the Middle East and North Africa during the 18th ARIJ Annual Annual Forum in Amman.
This landmark training initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening journalist safety, addressing a major gap in high-quality, accredited hostile environment training in the region.
The Region’s Only Fully Accredited HEFAR Programme
The HEFAR course, developed by Stratum Levant and Black Aspect Safety, is the only accredited training of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Participants who complete the course earn two internationally recognised qualifications:
- Hostile Environment Awareness – Level 4 (RQF)
- International First Aid Responder – Level 3 (RQF)
These qualifications provide journalists with essential operational safety skills, medical response capabilities, and situational awareness necessary for reporting in high-risk environments. While many NGOs in the region offer HEAT-style training, few programmes meet formal accreditation standards, and almost none provide internationally recognised certification. This new HEFAR course sets a higher benchmark of professionalism, accountability, and safety for media practitioners operating in complex environments.
Meeting an Urgent Safety Need for Journalists
Journalists across MENA face increasing risks, from conflict zones and civil unrest to targeted threats, medical emergencies, and logistical challenges. The HEFAR course equips participants with:
- Comprehensive hostile environment awareness
- Advanced first aid and trauma response skills
- Scenario-based training tailored to field reporting
- Practical decision-making and risk assessment tools
- Techniques for managing high-stress, high-stakes situations
“Delivering this first accredited HEFAR course represents a major milestone for safety training in our region,” said Maha Fityani, Director & Executive Operations Manager, Stratum Levant. “Our partnership with ARIJ ensures that journalists have access not only to high-quality instruction, but to qualifications that are internationally recognised and operationally relevant.”
Credit: Film Produced by Nick Maxted
A Proud Debut at the 18th ARIJ Annual Summit
The launch of this course at the 18th ARIJ Annual Forum in Amman, a gathering that draws journalists, media leaders, and experts from across the Arab world underscores the importance of journalist safety within the region’s broader media development agenda.
“We are honoured to partner with Stratum Levant and ARIJ in delivering this vital training,” said Nico Jones, Managing Director, Black Aspect Safety. “Journalists face unprecedented dangers, and providing them with accredited, high-standard preparation is essential to safeguarding their work and their lives.”
Setting a New Standard for Safety Training in MENA
The successful completion of this first cohort signals the beginning of a wider rollout of accredited HEFAR training across the region. Stratum Levant and Black Aspect Safety remain committed to developing world-class, locally accessible safety solutions that support media, NGOs, and organisations operating in challenging environments.