Volunteering During a Humanitarian Crisis: What to Know First

Volunteering During a Humanitarian Disaster—Don’t Rush In, Necessarily

Troy Peden is the Founder & CEO of GoAbroad.com. At the time of publication, he is currently on the ground in Poland assisting with the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Read his statement on the crisis in Ukraine.

November 8, 2013 I was based in Tacloban City, Leyte in the Philippines with my wife and four children when I overheard a colleague postponing a meeting due to the impending super typhoon. I asked around the office to find out what exactly was a super typhoon. “It’s just a bigger typhoon, don’t worry,” said my HR teammate.

A day later, thousands of people were dead in a moment, following the landfall of the worst storm in known human history; 38 foot ocean surge, 375 km winds, and unimaginable storm conditions. Oil tankers crushed neighborhoods, whole communities washed out to sea, and evacuation centers were destroyed.

The storm was surreal, the aftermath was catastrophic. As politicians argued and the country pleaded to the world for body bags, we sat and waited. Our office campus became a refugee center first, then we housed the media.

Accommodating the journalists was an additional safeguard from the ensuing lawlessness. An additional bonus—Gadi Schwarz from NBC News had a satellite phone, allowing us to inform family and friends that we were alive.

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Eventually the airport runways were cleared and limited flights began to arrive. Amongst the crates of food, water, and medicine were the NGOs and the individual volunteers. These people were almost without question well-intentioned. However, their missions were occasionally misguided, their expectations were sometimes unrealistic, and their understanding on the ground was not always accurate.

Even when the Humane Society arrived after the typhoon in Southeast Asia to spay and neuter wild dogs and cats at the outrage of my colleagues, I felt like those people meant well. They love animals and helping the animal population was what they knew how to do.

They were well-intentioned. Then and now I do not believe I have the right to judge anyone else’s mission.

Arriving in Poland to volunteer with Ukrainian refugees

Refugee centers in Poland are ready to receive Ukrainian citizens. (Photo by Troy Peden)

As I arrive in Poland en route to the Ukraine border, I am reminded of those days in Leyte in the apocalyptic aftermath of Yolanda. The world is united in their empathy for the Ukrainian people, humans everywhere are outraged that in this modern day unprovoked wars continue with a human toll lasting for generations. Many people have turned their empathy to action and have boarded a train, got on a plane, wrote a check, or signed up to volunteer.

This week a million refugees have crossed the borders fleeing the war in Ukraine. People whose lives were so comfortably ordinary only a week ago are dealing with shock, loss, death of loved ones, trauma, hunger, and everything else that accompanies this massive tragedy. As the attacks intensify, the heartache grows exponentially.

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Mr. Rogers famously shared what his mother told him during times of disaster: “Look for the helpers. You can always find people who are helping.” Here in Poland, there are incredible scenes of generosity. People are bringing food and water, opening their homes, and helping in whatever way they can.

Germans have driven across the country to Poland to bring families back to their homes. Creative restauranteurs are setting up mobile kitchens. People are expressing their love and their common humanity with their Ukrainian cousins.

This is great in so many ways. The volunteers feel like they are not idle, but are in solidarity with the victims. The victims find some light in the generosity of strangers. And we are all unified in our outrage of war.

What to know before volunteering during a humanitarian crisis

line of volunteers handing out food and water

The reality of volunteering abroad may be different from your expectations.

I am a firm believer that if a volunteer is motivated, realistic, and sensitive to cultural sustainability, then there is a role for them. The following list are my best practices for lending your heart and hands in the time of tragedy and human suffering.

1. Volunteer with the professionals

If at all possible, join a non-profit or volunteer placement organization. They know what they are doing and are doing it focused on the most positive and measurable outcomes. But also be sure to do your research first; especially in times of great crisis, people can be vulnerable to falling for scams.

Some helpful resources for beginning your search:

2. Never take the room of the victim

Do not become a strain on the local resources. If there is no housing for refugees, there is no housing for you. Bring your food, bring your tent, and live as the conditions demand. It goes without saying that volunteering during a refugee crisis isn’t going to be a vacation.

3. Do what is needed, not what you want to do

Be prepared to engage in physical labor, cooking meals, carrying stretchers, delivering water, building shelters, and anything else. It may not be glamorous but you came to help. Volunteering is about helping those around you and putting your own skills to work.

4. Set realistic expectations

The work will likely be hard and may be mundane, and the living conditions may be challenging. Given the images that we see in the media, you may be expecting something completely different than what the reality of the situation is. So set those expectations aside and come prepared to help where you’re needed most.

5. Be sensitive to trauma

Expect mood changes, mental health challenges, incredible sorrow and pain. Give space, provide a safe space, and make sure whatever you do accommodates those who have just had their world turned upside down. Your empathy will be needed.

6. Respect the culture

Cultural sustainability is a necessity with any kind of meaningful travel; during times like these it is even more important. Victims lean on their culture, traditions, and history for continuity, to make sense in times of tragedy, and to connect with what their life was before the tragedy. Do not challenge, change, or question the culture.

7. Tread lightly

Make sure your impact is benefiting everyone you come in contact with. As a volunteer, nothing you’re doing is about you. And if you’re doing more harm than good, it’s time to pack up and go home.

8. Make sure your project and purpose address the problems facing the victims

Groups sometimes arrive to change the culture, to share their ideological message, or to save souls. While these goals may be important to you, it is probably not what the victim needs right now. Again, it’s important to keep the focus of your volunteer work on the victims.

9. Don’t expect anything in return

This is a good rule for any type of volunteering, but particularly during times of overwhelming tragedy. Remind yourself that you are there to help without conditions. If you’re showing up with intentions that go beyond that, you may not be the type of volunteer that’s needed right now.

10. Go where you are needed

Unless you are a doctor or structural engineer, you may not be needed on the front. However, there are always transitional centers for processing survivors, for feeding victims, and long term needs for housing, transition, counseling, and rebuilding.

Explore opportunities to volunteer with refugees

How to get involved in humanitarian work in Ukraine and beyond

Your help is needed all over the world.

In summary, if you want to help out during a humanitarian crisis, you should join an organization with a base of operations on the ground, do what they need you to do where they need you to do it, be sensitive, be realistic, and be generous.

If you’d like to find out more about helping refugees in Ukraine and around the world, please explore the resources below.

Resources for relief volunteer work abroad

GoAbroad articles about working with refugees and displaced populations

If you’re involved with a humanitarian organization looking for volunteers, please email information@goabroad.com.

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What I’ve Learned Volunteering During Humanitarian Crises

Troy Peden