How do you manage project staff and volunteers' well-being and safety in a crisis context?

3 Provide support and resources

The third step to managing well-being and safety in a crisis context is to provide support and resources to your project staff and volunteers. This means ensuring that they have access to the necessary equipment, materials, and facilities to carry out their tasks safely and effectively. It also means offering them emotional and psychological support, such as counseling, peer support, or stress management training, to help them cope with the stress and trauma of the crisis. You should also recognize and appreciate their efforts and achievements, and provide them with opportunities for learning and development.

4 Adapt and adjust

The fourth step to managing well-being and safety in a crisis context is to adapt and adjust your project plans and activities according to the changing circumstances. This means being flexible, creative, and responsive to the needs and feedback of your project team and the beneficiaries. You should also be prepared to revise your project objectives, indicators, and timelines, and to document and report any changes and challenges. Adapting and adjusting your project can help you to maintain its relevance, quality, and impact, as well as to avoid burnout and frustration among your project team.

5 Ensure accountability and protection

The fifth step to managing well-being and safety in a crisis context is to ensure accountability and protection for your project team and the beneficiaries. This means following the ethical and legal standards and principles that guide your project, such as the humanitarian code of conduct, the do-no-harm principle, or the safeguarding policies. You should also establish mechanisms to prevent, report, and address any cases of abuse, exploitation, or misconduct that may occur within or outside your project. Ensuring accountability and protection can help you to build trust, respect, and dignity among your project team and the beneficiaries.

6 Evaluate and learn

The sixth and final step to managing well-being and safety in a crisis context is to evaluate and learn from your project experience. This means conducting regular and systematic monitoring and evaluation of your project activities, outputs, and outcomes, and collecting feedback and data from your project team and the beneficiaries. You should also organize debriefing and learning sessions with your project team and other stakeholders, and share your lessons learned and best practices. Evaluating and learning from your project can help you to improve your performance, quality, and impact, as well as to enhance your skills and knowledge as a project coordinator.