From March 17 to 22, 2025, the Global First Aid Reference Center (GFARC) carried out a technical mission in the Republic of Benin. This mission, of major strategic importance, aimed to support the Red Cross of Benin in developing a commercial first aid training program, aligned with international standards while responding to local needs and realities.

The Red Cross of Benin has already made its mark through years of community outreach and public awareness campaigns and now seeks to commercialize its training offerings. To support this transition, GFARC provided its expertise by evaluating the current setup – from training materials to the rollout of paid training sessions. Field visits, including a training of trainers course in Cotonou, highlighted strengths such as the dedication of teaching teams, as well as areas for improvement to ensure a high-quality, visible, and competitive offer.

At the core of the discussions was a key priority: the development of a comprehensive commercial strategy that is both realistic and ambitious. This strategy must clearly define target market segments, adapt training content to meet identified needs, and strengthen the professional development of trainers operating in the commercial sector – all while ensuring the program’s financial sustainability. Through a series of technical workshops, GFARC helped guide conversations on branding, certification procedures, communication strategies, and the creation of a solid monitoring and evaluation framework.

The mission also offered a valuable opportunity to listen closely to the realities on the ground. These exchanges led to concrete proposals for adapting international recommendations to the Beninese context, particularly in areas such as burn treatment, responding to bites, and handling obstetric emergencies. This open dialogue between local knowledge and global standards perfectly illustrates GFARC’s role: serving as a catalyst for relevant, inclusive, and science-based practices.

By supporting the Red Cross of Benin in this transformational process, GFARC reaffirms its commitment to helping National Societies develop sustainable and context-appropriate systems – ensuring that first aid becomes a shared, long-lasting skill that benefits the most vulnerable communities.