Mental health has emerged as a critical issue among humanitarian workers, but there has been a long-standing silence about the support they need, leaving them often in crisis and conflict zones without proper care. This will be done, Euronews reported.
Humanitarian aid has become an essential part of today’s world, with the United Nations announcing that more than 300 million people are suffering from forced displacement or natural disasters.
But the risks of becoming an aid worker have never been higher. In 2023, a record 595 people were killed, injured or kidnapped, making it one of the darkest years in the sector’s history.
“These risks threaten worker motivation and raise concerns about respect for international humanitarian law,” said Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteel, adding that humanitarian workers face today’s “respect-related challenges”. He pointed out that “a decline in the number of
Van de Castellet, who was held hostage in Iran for 456 days, founded Protect Humanitarians, a global alliance dedicated to protecting frontline humanitarian workers. His organization is also partnering with Belgium’s King Baudouin Foundation to provide emergency financial assistance to support at-risk workers.
Mental health, in particular, is a key focus for Protect Humanitarians. “The aim is to create at least one safe space where organizations can share and learn from each other about mental health support,” VandeCastiel said, noting that workers’ psychological health is too often neglected. He pointed out that this is often the case.
Clinical psychologist and trauma therapist Cyril Kosar identifies some of the major mental health risks for aid workers, including burnout, PTSD, fear for personal safety, and fear for loved ones left behind. It is specified.
culture of sacrifice
Former humanitarian Steve Dennis emphasizes the mental toll of the job, as moving from safety to danger requires a strong sense of solidarity and empathy.
When workers feel helpless, that same empathy can be overwhelming and, combined with constant exposure to suffering, often causes fatigue and secondary trauma.
Dennis, who now runs Proper Support Recovery Consulting, a specialist organization that helps aid workers recover from trauma, explained that it is difficult to compartmentalize emotions without turning into a robot.
Humanitarian workers, especially those who have experienced traumatic environments such as refugee camps or clinics for war victims, often struggle to recognize their own needs compared to those around them. there is.
“I think 100 percent of the people I worked with said their injuries or problems were ‘not that bad.’ [those they’re helping]” Dennis said.
Kozar said the industry is steeped in a “culture of sacrifice” where workers feel they have to give their all, regardless of how they feel.
Unlike the people they support, who are clearly victims, humanitarian workers’ fatigue and trauma are often invisible, making it difficult to assess how well they are coping. is difficult.
“As a humanitarian worker, you can’t afford to be a victim. You always have to be strong,” said Mila Leonova, director of the Ukrainian Union of Civil Society Organizations.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many civil society organizations were rushed into humanitarian action without adequate preparation. “It’s been almost three years and we are completely burnt out. But in our culture, it feels shameful to admit this weakness,” Leonova added.
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For some, sharing best practices for mental health support is important, but often ignored.
“People buy lottery tickets thinking they’re going to win, but they don’t prepare because they don’t expect injuries. Then they’re sent to high-risk areas where injuries are more likely to occur,” Dennis said.
While professions such as doctors, police and the military receive extensive training and support to deal with traumatic situations, aid workers often receive far less.
“We believe that four days of hostile environment awareness training before deploying to Somalia is the gold standard. We have to prepare for the year as well,” Dennis explained.
advertisementInsurance is also an issue. Many insurance policies do not cover combat zone or mental health issues, and claims for mental health injuries that are not diagnosed promptly are often denied.
VandeCastiel advocates for a portion of the donations to go towards mental health care, especially for humanitarian workers.
“Brussels is an ideal place to discuss this issue, with the European Commission nearby and the opportunity to engage with different donors,” Leonova said.
The EU is one of the world’s largest providers of humanitarian aid, providing more than €2.4 billion in 2023. For Dennis, investing in the welfare of workers is very important. “It’s like maintaining your car. A well-maintained car will last longer and perform better, and so will your staff.”
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