Training on working in high-risk environments for Ukrainian Red Cross teams

A three-day Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) was held in Kyiv, focused on preparing staff and volunteers to work in high-risk environments. The training brought together 20 participants from the Kyiv, Poltava, Zhytomyr and Donetsk regional branches, as well as volunteers from Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response teams.

The programme combined theoretical sessions with intensive practical exercises. Participants strengthened their skills in security risk assessment, decision-making in crisis situations, responding during attacks and shelling, and managing other security-related incidents. Particular attention was given to mine risk awareness, as well as first aid and psychological first aid.

A key feature of the training was the use of practical scenarios closely simulating real-life conditions faced by humanitarian teams in frontline and other high-risk areas.

Such trainings help not only to consolidate knowledge but also to strengthen teamwork, develop leadership skills, and build the ability to act confidently even in the most challenging environments.

The training was supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross.