Hostile Environment Awareness Training Held for Ukrainian Red Cross Teams

A three-day Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) was held in Kyiv, focusing on personal and organisational safety when working in high-risk environments.

The training brought together 20 participants from the Kharkiv, Sumy, Kirovohrad, and Chernihiv regional branches, the Eastern Interregional Office, as well as volunteers from Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response teams.

The programme combined theoretical learning with practical exercises. Participants strengthened their skills in security risk assessment, operating in hazardous environments, and responding during shelling and other security incidents. Special attention was given to mine risk awareness, as well as to first aid and psychological first aid skills in crisis situations.

A key feature of the training was realistic scenario-based exercises simulating conditions teams may encounter while working in frontline and other high-risk areas. These exercises helped participants consolidate knowledge, strengthen teamwork, and improve their ability to respond under stress.

The training was organised by the Risk Management Department of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross, together with the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team, and first aid instructors of the Ukrainian Red Cross, with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross.