Ukraine response: Teaming up with young people to address the effects of the crisis

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, young people have rapidly mobilized and engaged in the humanitarian response within Ukraine and neighboring countries. They are organizing and supporting displaced persons, providing transportation and other assistance.

Under the auspices of the Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action, an Inter-Agency Workshop for young humanitarians working in the Ukraine crisis response on the 14th and 16th of June 2022. This training was led by UNICEF in collaboration with UNFPA, UNHCR, the Norway Refugee Council (NRC), ActionAid, the Scouts, Global Refugee Youth Network (GRYN), and the Youth Compact Champions. The overall aim of the workshop was to strengthen the work with -and for- young people supporting displaced and refugee families, peers and communities in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania, and other surrounding areas.

Many of the young participants serve as Heads of youth-led organizations and are founders of volunteer networks, both inside and outside Ukraine. They gathered to share their humanitarian response experience and knowledge, and to discuss good practices, challenges and recommendations with fellow humanitarian actors. The participants also brainstormed priorities and recommendations (‘tips and tricks’) for selected sectors of humanitarian response, including: Education, Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Health, and Peacebuilding. 

The post-Workshop evaluation reveals that young people found it extremely beneficial to be able to understand the humanitarian architecture, how humanitarian activities are identified and prioritized, and how humanitarian aid is provided through the sector response. And, most importantly, how they can strengthen their important role as humanitarian actors.

Key takeaways for Governments, United Nation entities, international and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), private sector, major youth organisations and networks:

  1. Engage and partner with young people, especially young Ukrainians, in humanitarian interventions and programmes. Support safe spaces for young people to share their needs and concerns;

  2. Build humanitarian response plans and initiatives that include opportunities to fund local youth networks and organizations; and

  3. Ensure that the humanitarian response is flexible in order to address the specific needs of young people across sectors like Education, Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Health, Peacebuilding, and others.

Key takeaways for young people involved in humanitarian response:

  1. Partnerships are key to ensuring strong humanitarian coordination. Find local actors and partners that share the same values in order to mutually benefit from the collaboration;

  2. Remain confident in your abilities and goals. Take care of yourself and your mental health and well-being. Do not feel guilty that you can't help everyone - you're doing the best that you can; and

  3. Utilize existing guidance and resources, such as those featured at the Youth Compact website and below, to support your response efforts and overcome challenges you may be facing or encounter in the future.

Useful resources for young humanitarians responding to the crisis in Ukraine:

The passion, network and abilities of young people to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is evident. The goal of the Young Humanitarians Workshop, facilitated by the Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action, was to equip young people with existing tools, resources, information and connections in order to strengthen their response.  The Youth Compact members and young people who attended the training made a joint call for all partners (UN, governments, civil society, private sector, major youth organisations and networks) to make every effort and ensure meaningful engagement and capacity-building of young people in humanitarian responses.

COMING SOON - recording of the sessions

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COMING SOON - recording of the sessions 〰️