Humanitarians responding to Ukraine crisis shine on with positivity and resilience
A lot has been written on the positive impact the Ukraine Crisis Response has made on the life of the people we serve. Through my story, I hope I can honor all the staff who have made the response better because of their combined efforts and sacrifices.
From Kenya, I joined the response on 25 March 2022 in Romania. I was entrusted with the exciting, and challenging, task as Administration Manager welcoming over 100 staff deployed to Romania, or in transit to Ukraine and Moldova.
This means waiting for people even past midnight to ensure safety of their trips, and waking up early when someone is in need. The responders need to be cared for, too, so they can focus on their jobs.
Every welcome was an opportunity to see commitment and passion in action, as they aspired to bring assistance and hope to the lives of refugees and the displaced, as they try to escape the war and its traumatic effects.
I supported teams doing different roles from over 40 countries, including the Romanian staff who hosted us. The COVID-19 infection and transmission, along with other trials made the work more challenging. But all these were no match to the humanitarians’ resilience and determination to overcome all obstacles.
Many projects were completed by humanitarians who came and left, when their time was over, with new ones joining the efforts to continue the work.
I have seen and appreciated the daily sacrifices made by each staff to move on, despite the frustrations arising from complex dynamics. It is their sheer passion, humility and patience that helped them put in long hours of work to accomplish their objectives.
The challenges experienced are difficult to understand unless one is on the ground. Many visitors to the projects in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Georgia have come to see for themselves the positive impact achieved because of the hard work and collaboration.
I salute every colleague for the passion displayed, sacrifices made, and determination demonstrated to make a life changing impact for the people of Ukraine, and the host countries.
The orange family, as we call World Vision’s closely-knit teams, shines with a special team spirit, and along with individual efforts, made it possible for the staff based in the four countries to work together and accomplish what needed to be done and celebrate achievements.
The daily shuttle bus used to take staff from their team houses to work and back at the end of a long day. In every trip, the most unforgettable was the laughter and even silence of some staff members on the bus, pondering on deadlines and deliverables. It was an experience to remember and cherish.
The team houses became homes for so many colleagues, a place to prepare a meal together, share personal experiences, organize events, display hospitality, talents, and gifts, and make work life balance possible.
People have made friends for life by sharing their best moments or even somber times and they keep in touch to date.
It was not easy to say goodbye to people at the end of their stay, but the joy of knowing that they have done their best under the circumstances, and are now reunited with their families, or back to their country posts, makes their departure easier.
I salute every colleague for the passion displayed, sacrifices made, and determination demonstrated to make a life changing impact for the people of Ukraine, and the host countries.
I am thankful to the Senior Leadership Team for their guidance, style of leadership and encouragement to staff to ensure that the response deliver relief and hope to displaced children, families and even partners affected by the war.
May God bless all humanitarians, their families and loved ones. May each one continue to be equipped to serve and contribute, to bring hope and assistance, when and where needed!
Story by Florica Muturi, Admin Manager I Cover photo by Eugene Combo and Christopher Lete, Comms Specialists