7 TOP TIPS

7 top tips

for responding safely to humanitarian crises

Millions of Ukrainians are fleeing their country and seeking refuge and safety in countries across Europe and elsewhere. At times like this, many of us want to be able to respond practically to meet this growing need, but how do we do this safely, ensuring we consider the safeguarding implications in providing support to newly arrived, isolated and often traumatised individuals?

Here are seven top tips to help your organisation as you consider how you might respond safely:

1. Take time to be ready, don’t rush.

In planning carefully, you should take the time to be ready rather than rush to find solutions that may create other unintended risks. Sometimes, our best intentions can end up causing further issues if we have not thought through our ideas before attempting to put them into action. This is a fantastic opportunity, but also a huge responsibility. Make sure you're taking the proper time needed to put safety measures in place that will help guarantee the safety of those you're trying to help, as well as those providing the help.

2. Be clear on what you are offering.

It may be that those you are looking to help or support are traumatised and need counselling or other medical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual support. This should always only be done by those who are sufficiently trained to do so. Be clear on what you can offer. You may consider drawing up a list of organisations you could signpost people to, or partner with other organisations who can offer other kinds of support. Find a way of helping that best fits your abilities and resources.

3. Ensure your Safeguarding Coordinator or Designated Lead is involved in your planning.

Your Safeguarding Coordinator or Designated Lead will help you think through the implications of any new activity and give recommendations for safer working. As with any new activity you're undertaking, a risk assessment should be completed, and proper thought needs to be given to the safeguarding implications. Keep them informed of any changes to your planned activities.

4. Build and equip your teams.

It’s important to ensure that you can undertake your plans safely. Many of your team members may be volunteers offering time and other assistance. Depending on the nature of the support you're planning to offer, you might need to consider what checks are required for them to perform different roles. Ensure you've taken the time to provide appropriate awareness –raising exercises and training so that help can be offered from an informed position.

5. Nominate a person to coordinate or oversee your response.

It’s a good idea to appoint someone who has the specific responsibility to coordinate or oversee the support that you are offering, ensuring you keep records of what activity is being undertaken outside your usual remit and by whom. A single point of contact or short list of authorised contacts could be circulated with guidance on how to get in contact if help is needed.

6. Let your wider community know you are there.

Once you’re ready to offer help and support, inform your local authority and other voluntary sector partners that you are there. They may not be aware of the resources or support that you can offer. Let them know what resources and facilities you have that may be of use. Inform them of your plans for mobilising support to newly –arrived families, evacuees and refugees. You may not have the full details worked out yet, but just letting them know that you intend to be a part of the support available could be part of the solution being searched for.

7. Make sure you regularly review what you're offering.

It’s important that you factor in time or schedule regular points in the months ahead when you review the support and activities you're undertaking and use any feedback or observations about what is and isn’t working to adapt and amend your offer. It’s especially important that you proactively get feedback from those who are receiving your help to hear from them about their experiences. This may require the services of a translator, so considering how you might do this effectively could be something you think about in advance. Resource links can be found by visiting

thirtyoneeight.org/blogs/responding –safely –to –humanitarian–crises/

thirtyoneeight.org

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