It’s “our collective responsibility.”

Aid workers committed to support crisis-affected communities despite personal risks

August 16, 2024

a man standing in front of a building — UNDP Ukraine Community Mobilization Officer Pavlo Artomov is working close to the front lines in Kharkiv, helping to restore essential services.

Photo: UNDP Ukraine

When crisis hits, aid workers step in and step up.

From day one, they’re on the ground providing food, water and shelter to affected communities. Importantly, they’re also working hard to lay the foundations for recovery by helping communities restart their lives. This ranges from rebuilding homes, roads, hospitals and other essential infrastructure to providing opportunities to work, retrain and earn a living, and making sure people can access the services they need.

Yet, the challenges they face in doing their jobs are immense. Last year was the deadliest year on record for aid workers, with 595 victims of attacks, including 280 tragic deaths. Sadly, 2024 is shaping up to be even worse.

World Humanitarian Day was established to honour the workers who risk their lives to support communities in times of crisis. But it also provides an important moment to reflect on and speak out against the dangers that they face, and call for greater protections.

Their work is critical. But lives should not be put at risk in order to support communities living in crisis.

Humanitarian support is lifesaving, while development support is life-sustaining. When humanitarian and development work are aligned, the path to recovery can begin from day one.

From Afghanistan to Ukraine, Libya, Haiti and beyond, UNDP teams are on the ground, working closely with our humanitarian partners to help people respond to and recover from crisis.

Here, we meet UNDP staff who continue to serve on the frontlines, navigating challenges, adapting and being innovative, with a goal of making a positive contribution for their communities.

Pavlo Artоmov, Community Mobilization Officer, Kharkiv, UNDP Ukraine

Despite the stressful conditions and the threat of war, Kharkiv-based Community Mobilization Officer Pavlo Artomov, one of UNDP Ukraine’s 430 staff, remains motivated.

“I see the results of our work and feel the support of colleagues and the pride of my family. Communities get great confidence and gain growth from our projects,” he says.

Kharkiv’s proximity to the frontline adds complications, with frequent shelling affecting residents and infrastructure. “Sometimes explosions are heard before the air raid alarm sounds. One recent air raid alarm lasted 51 hours. Such things greatly impact our work planning.”

Despite this, he says it’s important to be present on the ground.

“It’s crucial we work locally and not from distant duty stations. The emotional and psychological impact of having a UNDP specialist nearby is significant, especially for services like the local police and emergency responders.”

Artomov and his team work to strengthen community security and social cohesion, particularly as communities grapple with reduced budgets and their farmlands being contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. The situation has not only crippled local economies but also led to people feeling more unsafe.

In collaboration with the local police and the community, Artomov and his team have helped restore firefighting services, established recreational and sports centres, set up a video surveillance system and conducted road safety training.

“Communities are determined to rebuild, even as they fight for their very existence. It’s truly inspiring!”

Ruvens Ely Boyer, Communications Officer, Port-au-Prince, UNDP Haiti

“Some of us are sometimes forced to leave our homes or neighborhoods with our families to seek safety from dangers while continuing to serve the most vulnerable.”

Reuvens Ely Boyer is a Communications Officer with UNDP Haiti. He plays an important role in raising awareness of the reality on the ground for Haitians, as well as documenting the work of his colleagues in supporting crisis-affected communities.

“Field visits allow me to fully appreciate the extraordinary work that my colleagues at UNDP are doing in Haiti, despite the difficult and complex conditions we face, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where over 80 percent of the territory is beyond the control of public forces,” he says.

UNDP’s priority in Haiti is to ensure that communities are more resilient to future crises, whether due to extreme weather or conflict. This includes supporting rural communities to access clean energy, while also working with local authorities to better prepare for and respond to future disasters. To make communities safer, UNDP is committed to supporting the restoration of state authority and strengthening the rule of law, revitalizing local economies, and creating a more stable environment for Haiti’s long-term development.

Despite the significant challenges, Boyer says he retains a sense of optimism in his work, knowing that he and his team are working to improve the lives of his country and people.

“There is no greater joy for me than photographing people to capture their testimonies, uncover their resilience, and sustain hope in a Haiti that will recover soon.”

“It allows me to momentarily escape the routine of daily tasks. Witnessing these concrete achievements, of which I am very proud, makes the unwavering commitment of UNDP to work in challenging conditions all the more evident. These accomplishments reinforce my belief that the country’s development is possible and highlight the importance of our collective responsibility.”

a group of people sitting at a table — Ruvens Ely Boyer, Communications Officer, UNDP Haiti documents the work that UNDP is doing to support local communities and put Haiti on the path to long term recovery.

Photo: UNDP Haiti

Freshta, Civil Engineer and Humanitarian Actor, Herat, UNDP Afghanistan

“When I see people living in tents and speak to women who are facing so many difficulties, my heart goes out to them, and it drives me to work even harder.”

Freshta is an Afghani civil engineer with UNDP, working in Herat in the country’s west to rebuild homes in communities hit by a devastating earthquake in October 2023. She monitors construction and is a trusted contact for women in the earthquake-affected villages, who feel comfortable to discuss their needs and challenges with her.

It’s because of this trust that she has built within the community that Freshta remains committed to her work despite the challenges she faces.

“As a woman working in remote parts of Afghanistan, moving around freely and interacting with community members can be a challenge,” she says. “I must adapt and be innovative.”

It’s the tangible results that drive her.

“The significance of our work is profound; it provides vulnerable communities with safe and secure living spaces, ensuring they can rebuild their lives with dignity."

The initiative Freshta is working on is a partnership with Norwegian Church Aid to build permanent shelters for families affected by the earthquake. In Chahak village, where the earthquake destroyed every house, UNDP has built transitional shelters where vulnerable families moved into to keep them safe during the harsh winter.

Now Freshta and her team are working to build 169 permanent shelters for families to call home.

a group of people that are standing in the dirt

Mohamed Shembesh, Regional Project Coordinator for the East, UNDP Libya

When Storm Daniel ravaged north-eastern Libya in September 2023, the impact was catastrophic. Two dams were overwhelmed, causing devastating flooding in the port city of Derna and surrounding areas, killing and displacing thousands.

As a Regional Coordinator for the East for UNDP Libya, Mohamed Shembesh and his team kicked into gear after the storm hit to ensure that aid workers could provide essential support.

Shembesh and his team worked closely with local authorities to meet the urgent challenges of debris removal from damaged buildings and improving access to water.

Despite significant challenges to their own safety, Shembesh was inspired by the commitment of his co-workers.

"They navigated challenges such as insecurity, infrastructure damage, and resource scarcity with unwavering dedication, inspiring all of us with their commitment to helping the Libyan people rebuild their lives and create a more stable future," he says.

"Our staff operating in high-risk environments demonstrate exceptional courage and resilience."

Working with humanitarian partners, Shembesh and his team formed a strong alliance to support recovery. This joint effort, particularly crucial given Libya's complex and volatile context, is a testament to the strength of collaboration and unity.