Ukrainian Red Cross team completes hostile environment awareness training

A three-day Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) course was held in Kyiv to prepare Ukrainian Red Cross staff and volunteers to work in high-risk environments.

The training was attended by 20 representatives of the Odesa city branch, the Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Dnipro regional branches, emergency response teams, and the Ukrainian Red Cross Procurement and Logistics Department.

The course combined theoretical instruction with intensive practical exercises. Participants strengthened their skills in assessing security risks, making decisions in crisis situations, responding to shelling and dealing with other security incidents. Particular attention was paid to mine risks, first aid and psychological first aid.

The practical sessions included scenarios reflecting the real-life conditions in which humanitarian teams may operate in frontline and other high-risk areas. Participants practised teamwork, coordination and procedures for responding to high-risk situations.

This training helps strengthen Ukrainian Red Cross teams’ preparedness to work safely and effectively in an environment of ongoing security challenges.

The training was held with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.