MOMBASA, Kenya June 2 – The Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait has called upon Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to adopt coordinated actions, information sharing, and harmonized approaches to address data protection challenges, including cybersecurity and fragmented regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.

She made these remarks during the Data Protection Officer (DPO) Humanitarian Action Certification Course where 16 nationalities were represented, emphasizing that through collaboration, continuous dialogue, and capacity building, industry players can strengthen collective resilience and ensure that data protection remains central to humanitarian action.

She highlighted the necessity of strong collaborative efforts and sustained engagement among all stakeholders, including humanitarian organizations, regulators, technology partners, donors, and, importantly, the affected populations themselves.

Furthermore, she urged DPOs to continuously raise awareness among affected communities regarding how their data is collected, used, shared, and protected, noting that this is essential for promoting transparency and informed participation. “Meaningful engagement helps build trust, empowers individuals to exercise their rights, and reinforces accountability within humanitarian operations,” she remarked.

Additionally, she called on humanitarian DPOs to uphold the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and integrity in handling personal data, especially in today’s interconnected global environment. She stated,

“Technologies deployed to enhance humanitarian action have advanced significantly. While these innovations bring greater efficiency and reach, they also introduce new and evolving risks.”

The event was supported by the European Centre on Privacy and Cybersecurity and the International Committee for the Red Cross.