“If not us, who?”: Roman Sheremet, Kyiv

Roman is 24 years old. He defended Ukraine, and after being demobilised in 2024, he realised he could not stand aside. That is why he joined the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response team.

For him, joining the team was a natural next step in his commitment to helping others. He knew that the team was made up of dedicated people who were ready to support others in their most difficult moments and respond wherever help was needed without delay.

Roman believes that effective communication is the foundation of any successful team. During emergency response operations, everyone must clearly understand their role and trust the people working alongside them.

“When everyone is on the same page, we operate as a single unit. It is a whole system dedicated to saving lives and supporting people,” he says.

According to Roman, no two deployments are ever the same. Every response brings its own circumstances, challenges, and situations that require quick adaptation. For him, volunteering is about continuous learning, personal growth, and always being ready to act.

Being part of an emergency response team means always being prepared to help. For Roman, this is the true value of volunteering — being there when your support can make a real difference in someone’s life.

“If not us, who?” he says. It is a phrase that has long been his personal guiding principle.