Humanitarian aid workers do an incredibly important job, helping to provide emergency responses to situations across the world. Their work can help to prevent loss of life and to ensure people have a better chance of surviving some of the world’s most hostile environments, so it’s an essential role that is undertaken by brave, kind, courageous people. Of course, it’s the type of work that brings with it significant risk to the people embarking on these kinds of missions. They will often undertake humanitarian aid worker training before leaving for their destination, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in their humanitarian mission abroad.
What is a humanitarian aid worker and what roles do they undertake?
Being a humanitarian aid worker is one of the most important things a person can do. It’s a real vocation as opposed to just a job; it is something that people will no doubt care passionately about, enough to risk their life and their to take time out away from their families to work. They will work in front line conditions, travelling to designated geographical areas where they are needed the most and where their work will make a difference. Their jobs will involve getting supplies to people who are otherwise without food, clothing, medication and other essentials. This might be due to a natural disaster, conflict, war, or another political situation that is causing people to suffer. In the longer term, if political situations have settled a little, they may help to set up and deliver education programmes and look after healthcare.
Not all aid worker roles require people to be on the front line actively delivering aid. Some people will be involved in planning and delivering projects, making sure that they are handled strategically and aid is received where it’s needed the most. However, most people working in this role will undertake work in afflicted countries and will need the relevant training in order to deal with the situations they come across.
What training is required to be a humanitarian aid worker?
Often there is no formal training or education required to be a humanitarian aid worker. However, in order to deal with the situations they come across and the equip people to deliver aid in the most effective ways, NGOs and companies will send aid workers on training courses. These courses help them to understand what their role will involve and, crucially, they will help people to cope with them. They can only deliver effective aid and relief if they are in good physical and mental health themselves, so it’s important they are well prepared and know what’s expected of them.
A good humanitarian air worker training programme will involve elements such as personal safety, and education about the country that people will be visiting. It’s important aid workers go into situations with as much knowledge as possible, so they will be taught a range of practical skills to help them carry out their essential work for charities and NGOs.