A review, driven by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, and the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society organisations, has been carried out with the aim to establish a response-wide accepted Duty of Care (DoC) package that can be integrated into donor budgets and enhance the safety and well-being of local humanitarian workers and volunteers.
Review methodology involved extensive interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders, to gather insights on current practices and challenges related to DoC.
The review defines DoC as a moral or legal obligation to ensure the safety and security of personnel from physical and mental harm, emphasizing the need for a common understanding and implementation of safety and security standards among humanitarian actors in Ukraine. It should be applied beyond an organization “own” staff and downstream to implementing partners. DoC it is not limited to providing the right equipment or to improve safety and security management including mental health; it embraces several aspects such as aid delivery mechanisms, coordination, and fair partnership principles.
Key findings reveal significant gaps in the existing regulatory framework, as Ukraine lacking specific legislation on DoC, relying instead on broader labour protection laws, and highlighted the challenges faced by local responders, including inadequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and insurance, which are crucial for their safety during humanitarian operations.
