From: Kelly ODonnell <mcaresources@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 2:21 PM
Subject: short summary--informal gathering commemorating World Humanitarian Day, Tuesday 19 August
Hi folks,
Thanks to all' those who came to yesterday's gathering on aid worker safety, commemorating World Humanitarian Day.
(we are also sending this email to those who wanted to come but could not). Here is a short summary.)
We were a group of nine people. We met for 2 1/2 hours (90 minutes for the online HPG event and then an hour afterwards for further discussion. Some folks stayed an additional hour as well, which was great! There were also many events happening all over the world, including a briefing at the UN Security Council on safety for humanitarian workers..
A few of the take-aways included:
--a desire to understand the multiple influences (historical, cultural, injustice, etc.) on why humanitarian settings can be so risky (in addition to immediate "causes")
--understanding that risks have always been involved in humanitarian work (vs the "mythology of there being a 'safe' past");
--the need to include the broad support framework required for aid worker wellbeing and effectiveness (in addition to safety concerns);
--the importance of developing communication and relational skills in aid work, connecting with fellow "civilians" who are the beneficiaries, relating to the local community etc. --which are all protective factors;
--the majority of casualties among aid workers occur to local/national staff rather than international staff;
--continuing our various efforts in our work on behalf of vulnerable populations, including protecting of IDPs/refugees, online psychosocial support training, advancing the efforts of civilian/unarmed peacekeepers, continuing to encourage organisational health/supporting managers, etc.
--there are many safety-related materials being developed, an example being those listed on OCHA's ReliefWeb, in the Safety and Security page
Special thanks to Rolf Carriere for the resources/links mentioned above.
Next Gathering
One of the purposes of meeting informally with a variety of colleagues (outside the context of our usual work) is to provide a place for mutual learning and support. The next trio gathering is Saturday 6 Sept. 10am-noon. The topic is Supporting Mental Health/Suicide Prevention (an estimated one million per year globally). RSVP at: mcarersources@gmail.com
Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michele