On 24 July 2025, the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine took part in a high-level roundtable titled “Humanitarian Action During War: Staff Protection, Ukrainian Innovations, and Shaping Global Policies”, co-organized by the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations.
This event gathered Ukrainian and international humanitarian NGOs, civil society organizations, donors, and government representatives to examine how over two years of full-scale war have transformed the humanitarian landscape in Ukraine. Participants discussed how lessons learned in Ukraine can inform and shape global humanitarian policy.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Staff protection in war zones: physical and mental health, burnout prevention, and organizational responsibility.
- Ukrainian-led humanitarian innovations developed under extreme conditions.
- The importance of the Duty of Care principle in humanitarian programming.
- Strategies for influencing international humanitarian standards through national experience.
One of the core messages from the event was the need to place staff wellbeing at the heart of humanitarian efforts. As our Deputy Director, Sasha Buglak, highlighted during the roundtable:
“The downside is that this strong nation has a tendency to neglect its own safety. Last summer, during prolonged power outages, it was very difficult to provide aid. We asked how many people didn’t receive aid due to lack of power or communication; the answer was zero. But this was achieved through the titanic efforts of workers and volunteers who often lacked sleep and rest.”
Why It Matters
Ukraine’s humanitarian response has demonstrated exceptional resilience, but this resilience must not come at the cost of worker wellbeing. As the humanitarian sector continues to evolve, recognizing and investing in those who deliver aid is essential for sustainable impact.
We thank Alliance UA CSO for initiating this timely conversation and bringing together diverse voices across the sector!
🔗 Read the full recap from the Alliance of Ukrainian CSOs here.
