Forage Center’s Annual Coastal Promise Humanitarian Simulation

The Forage Center (Forage Center) for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education, Inc. will hold its annual Coastal Promise Humanitarian Simulation July 12-14, 2024, in Swanton, Maryland. This is the fourth field exercise the Forage Center has held in Garrett County. The overall objective of the simulation is to prepare students for careers in humanitarian response and peacebuilding.

The event reenacts conditions of a humanitarian crisis created by the convergence of a natural disaster and internal conflict. Graduate student participants in the exercise will come from U.S. institutions including George Mason University, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, University of San Diego, University of Massachusetts-Boston, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and American University. In addition, participants will include graduate students from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. In addition to the student participants, role players in the exercise will come from Forage Center staff, program alumni, and students from Allegany College of Maryland (ACM). The Forage Center has been working with ACM students for the four years the exercise has been held in Garrett County.

The need for well-trained professionals working in humanitarian response has never been greater. The United Nations reported in 2022 that 108.4 million individuals were forcibly displaced due to war, conflict, and natural disasters including 35.5 million refugees, 62.5 million internally displaced people and 5.4 million asylum seekers. Because of conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and other parts of the world, this number conditions to grow. In addition, many are fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries and continue to seek entry to the U.S., resulting in a humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. And everywhere, climate change has brought about natural disasters resulting in the need to see to the needs of those displaced.

As a Maryland not-for-profit organization, the Forage Center appreciates support from the local community to offset costs. Financial gifts as well as donations in kind are appreciated. If you wish to contribute or donate, or to participate as a role-player, contact the Forage Center.