The Second National Forum “Humanitarian Architecture and the Development of Civil Protection in Ukraine” Held in Kyiv
The forum brought together representatives of public authorities, foreign diplomatic missions, the European Union, international and national humanitarian organisations, partners within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, local self-government bodies, and the expert community.
The event provided a platform for dialogue on key priorities: strengthening Ukraine’s civil protection system in the context of the full-scale war and building an effective humanitarian architecture that responds to the real needs of people and communities.
Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, noted:
“Over the past year, the role of the Ukrainian Red Cross within the civil protection system has undergone a significant transformation. Last year, the Ukrainian Red Cross was part of the Unified State System of Civil Protection in nine regions. Today, all regional branches of the Ukrainian Red Cross are integrated into the system. Previously, we were more often perceived as a humanitarian partner; today, the Ukrainian Red Cross is part of the operational response system. We no longer only support response efforts but also contribute to shaping approaches, coordinating, strengthening community capacities, and cooperating with public authorities.”
This year, participants focused on key issues, including:
- the development of the civil protection system, from legislative changes to implementation at community level;
- leveraging humanitarian assistance to provide comprehensive support to affected populations;
- the roles, needs, and resources of communities;
- preparedness for emergencies, coordination, and cooperation among all relevant actors.
This year’s forum also featured the following speakers: Andreas Papaconstantinou, Director for Neighbourhood, Middle East, South-West and Central Asia at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO); Oleh Bondarenko, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management; Volodymyr Demchuk, Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine; Roman Prymush, Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for Digital Development; Viktor Vitovetskyi, Director of the Civil Protection and Prevention Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine; and Johannes Fromholt, Rapid Response Coordinator at the ECHO Office in Ukraine.
Representatives of regional branches and emergency response teams of the Ukrainian Red Cross, regional offices of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, regional military administrations, local communities, international organisations, and civil society also participated.
The forum served as a platform for exchanging experiences, discussing challenges, and developing practical solutions that are already improving the effectiveness of response and assistance to people.
By bringing together the efforts of the state, local communities, civil society, and the international community, we are building a system that not only responds to challenges but also strengthens resilience and supports recovery, contributing to a safer future for every community.
The event was organised by the Ukrainian Red Cross in cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and DG ECHO, with the support of the British Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Austrian Red Cross, and German Red Cross.
