Protect Humanitarians

?? During his captivity*, our Founder and Director Olivier Vandecasteele had one idea that kept him alive : “if I get out of this, I will build an NGO that advocates for better protection of the humanitarian community. A structure which will provide concrete support and expertise to those of us who survive critical incidents on the frontlines - with a particular focus on local colleagues and national NGOs”. ?? About 6 months ago, we kickstarted Protect Humanitarians. Together with our Founder, we have put our hearts and souls into this. ?? Now we need YOUR HELP to donate and help fundraise for the cause. ? WHY? Never before the humanitarian sector has witnessed such levels of violence against frontline humanitarian aid workers. ?? In 2023 alone, 595 humanitarians, mostly local colleagues, were killed (280), wounded (224), kidnapped or detained (91) - in Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, Mali, DRC, Yemen amongst others. And 2024 will sadly surpass the figures of 2023. ? HOW CAN YOU HELP? With support of the King Baudouin Foundation, we have developed a global giving network, for safe and secure, tax deductible donations. ???? Donate from Europe here / via King Baudouin Foundation : https://lnkd.in/diTCWddt ???? Donate in Canada via Myriad Canada : ?? FR : https://lnkd.in/ecKcD6-N ?? ENG : https://lnkd.in/edUiGGfB ???? ?Donate from the US via Myriad USA : https://lnkd.in/ee_ZnEEQ ?? Please support our cause and donate today. Help us better protect humanitarians ?? Humanity must prevail. Be the change ?? To learn more about our work, check our website or this link bit.ly/Protect-H * Olivier Vandecasteele is a Belgian experienced humanitarian leader who recently founded Protect Humanitarians, a global alliance to enhance the safety and care to frontline humanitarian aid workers. For 20 years, Olivier has himself responded to humanitarian crises in challenging contexts: health emergencies in Afghanistan and Mali, essential aid to refugees and migrants in Morocco and Iran. After being Country Director for various NGOs, Olivier was wrongfully detained by Iran for 456 days. Amnesty International and the United Nations / United Nations Human Rights recognized he was subjected to a.o. enforced disappearance and torture. #NotATarget ? #ProtectHumanitarians #ProtectAidWorkers #ProtectCivilians #ActForHumanity #GenevaConventions #conventionsdegeneve #ChooseHumanity #empoweringhumanitarians #warfare #IHL #NotCollateralDamage #togetherforrescue #StopBombingCivilians #LeaveNoOneBehind #bringjustice #EndImpunityNow #JusticeMatters #accesstojustice #MoreJustWorld #savinglivesisnotacrime #OurSharedHumanity

??Subscribe to our newsletter! ?? We’ve launched our newsletter -?Check out the extract from our latest edition! If you want to stay up to date with our work, ongoing initiatives, and insights from our donors, subscribe here ?? https://lnkd.in/dapWx8Pq ?? Protect Humanitarians is an independent NGO advocating for better #protection and #support for humanitarian personnel. Through a dedicated emergency fund, we provide concrete support to NGOs and their staff, survivors of attacks, and victims’ relatives. We conduct #research and promote best practices in #staffcare, #mentalhealth, and #legalassistance to support #survivors after incidents. ??To learn how you can help, support, donate to Protect Humanitarians, follow our work here ?? bit.ly/Protect-H ?? Be the Change Protect Humanitarians is a neutral and independent NGO founded in 2024. #HumanitarianWorkers? #NotATarget ? #Resilience ? #protecthumanitarians #HumanitarianSupport ? #EmpoweringHumanitarians ? #HumanitarianAid ? #StopBombingCivilians ? #LeaveNoOneBehind ? #ProtectCivilians ? #ActForHumanity ? #SupportSurvivors ? #SavingLivesIsNotACrime ? #OurSharedHumanity?

?? “As humanitarians, we focus so much on trying to care for others, that we forget to care for ourselves” ????During our workshop on “Strengthening Staff Care, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Support for Humanitarian Personnel,” we asked participants: Why is staff care, mental health, and psychosocial support so crucial in this field? ?? Listen to their insights and stay tuned for Part 4/6! ?? A heartfelt thank you to Rafael Van den Bergh, Sandra Tettamanti, Hélène Ros - CoCreate Humanity (CCH), Mila Leonova - Alliance UA CSO, Stéphanie GARCIA - Humanity & Inclusion ?? Support and Donate to Protect Humanitarians! You will protect, support and empower those who dedicate their lives to helping others. ?? https://lnkd.in/dwB5_VpX ?? Protect Humanitarians is an independent NGO advocating for better #protection and #support for humanitarian personnel. Through a dedicated emergency fund, we provide concrete support to NGOs and their staff, survivors of attacks, and victims’ relatives. We conduct #research and promote best practices in #staffcare, #mentalhealth, and #legalassistance to support #survivors after incidents. More info: https://lnkd.in/eHjCZtHU ?? Protect Humanitarians is a neutral and independent NGO founded in 2024. #ProtectHumanitarians #AidUnderPressure #HumanitarianAction #MHPSS #AidWorkers #MentalHealthSupport #StaffCare #PsychosocialHealth #WorldMentalHealthDay #WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthAtWork #GlobalCrises #NotATarget #HumanitarianSupport #HumanitarianAid #ActForHumanity

??Congrès Santé Mentale du personnel humanitaire: Prendre soin de ceux qui prennent soin ???Le mois dernier, Protect Humanitarians était présent au Congrès Santé mentale organisé par l'IRCOM. Le 7 février 2025, travailleurs sociaux, humanitaires et experts se sont réunis pour une journée d’échanges et de réflexions, avec l’objectif de trouver des solutions pour mieux protéger la #santémentale des professionnels de la #solidarité. ?? Au c?ur des discussions: Qui prend soin de ceux qui prennent soin ? Notre directeur et fondateur Olivier Vandecasteele est intervenu aux c?tés de Tania Shybko, consultante humanitaire et coach, pour partager des expériences de terrain, les défis rencontrés et les stratégies pour préserver la santé mentale des équipes dans un secteur sous pression constante. ?? Un immense merci à l’IRCOM et à ses étudiants pour leur accueil chaleureux et leur engagement précieux sur cette thématique essentielle ! Protect Humanitarians s’engage à créer des ponts entre les organisations humanitaires, afin que le soutien psychologique des humanitaires devienne une priorité partagée. Nous encourageons le #dialogue et les #bonnespratiques de #soutien #psychologique à destination des humanitaires ?? ?? Soutenez et faites un don pour protéger les humanitaires dans le monde ?? https://lnkd.in/dwB5_VpX Be the change ?? Protect Humanitarians est une organisation neutre et indépendante fondée en 2024. #protecthumanitarians #NotATarget ?#HumanitarianAction?#MHPSS?#AidWorkers?#MentalHealthSupport?#StaffCare?#PsychosocialHealth?#WorldMentalHealthDay?#MentalHealthAtWork?#HumanitarianSupport?#Resilience?#EmpoweringHumanitarians?#ActForHumanity?#MentalHealthMatters?#SupportSurvivors?#SavingLivesIsNotACrime?#OurSharedHumanity?#HumanitarianWorkers

?? Qui protège ceux qui nous protègent ? - Les enjeux de la protection des humanitaires ??? Le 21 mars 2025, Protect Humanitarians sera au Cercle de Wallonie pour discuter des défis cruciaux auxquels font face les acteurs #humanitaires. Lors de cette intervention, notre directeur Olivier Vandecasteele abordera plusieurs points essentiels, notamment : ??Les défis et dangers auxquels les humanitaires sont confrontés? ??Les actions en place pour renforcer leur protection ??Les réformes nécessaires pour garantir leur sécurité et soutien ?? 21 mars 2025 à 12h??? Tournai Pour en savoir plus et s'inscrire à l'événement, cliquez ici: https://lnkd.in/dhur5CPn ??Merci au Cercle de Wallonie pour l'organisation de cet événement et pour mettre en lumière le sujet de la #protection du personnel humanitaire. Photo crédit: @ULiège – J-L. Wertz #HumanitarianWorkers? #NotATarget? #Resilience? #ProtectHumanitarians #HumanitarianSupport? #EmpoweringHumanitarians? #HumanitarianAid? #ProtectCivilians? #ActForHumanity? #SupportSurvivors? #SavingLivesIsNotACrime? #OurSharedHumanity

Protect Humanitarians is excited to be part of this great event! ?? We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions on how to enhance #HumanitarianAction and strengthen the #protection of #HumanitarianWorkers. See you there ! #EHF2025 #HumanitarianWorkers? #NotATarget ? #Resilience ? #ProtectHumanitarians #HumanitarianSupport ? #EmpoweringHumanitarians ? #HumanitarianAid ? #ProtectCivilians ? #ActForHumanity ? #SupportSurvivors ? #SavingLivesIsNotACrime ? #OurSharedHumanity?

?? Escalating Violence in the DRC - Civilians and Humanitarian Workers need Protection ???? The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bruno Lemarquis, expressed deep concern over the escalating targeted #violence against #civilians, medical and educational infrastructure, and #HumanitarianPersonnel in North and South Kivu. These acts represent serious violations of fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law. ?? Protect Humanitarians joins Bruno Lemarquis in urging all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.? ?Civilians are #NotATarget, humanitarian workers are #NotATarget ! ??? Read full statement here: https://lnkd.in/diPVnXxr ?? Protect Humanitarians is an independent NGO advocating for better #protection and #support for humanitarian personnel. Through a dedicated emergency fund, we provide concrete support to NGOs and their staff, survivors of attacks, and victims’ relatives. We conduct #research and promote best practices in #staffcare, #mentalhealth, and #legalassistance to support #survivors after incidents. ?? Support and Donate to Protect Humanitarians! You will protect, support and empower those who dedicate their lives to helping others. ?? https://lnkd.in/dwB5_VpX ?? Be the Change ?? Protect Humanitarians is a neutral and independent NGO founded in 2024 #DRC #UnitedNations #HumanitarianWorkers? #NotATarget? #Resilience? #protecthumanitarians #HumanitarianSupport? #EmpoweringHumanitarians? #HumanitarianAid? #StopBombingCivilians? #LeaveNoOneBehind? #ProtectCivilians? #ActForHumanity? #SupportSurvivors? #SavingLivesIsNotACrime? #OurSharedHumanity

?We run to #ProtectHumanitarians - Support our team and #donate ??On May 25th, our amazing team of 70 dedicated runners and walkers will hit the streets of #Brussels for the 20km de Bruxelles - 20km door Brussel, united by a powerful mission: to #protect, #support, and #empower humanitarian workers worldwide. ?? You can be a part of this impactful event by supporting our team and donating on our dedicated fundraising page: https://lnkd.in/d39DPty4 ??Let’s stand together in #solidarity for those who dedicate their lives to helping others! Protect Humanitarians is an independent NGO advocating for better #protection and #support for humanitarian personnel. Through a dedicated emergency fund, we provide concrete support to NGOs and their staff, survivors of attacks, and victims’ relatives. We conduct #research and promote best practices in #staffcare, #mentalhealth, and #legalassistance to support #survivors after incidents. ??To learn how you can help, support, donate to Protect Humanitarians, follow our work here ?? bit.ly/Protect-H ?? Be the Change ?? Protect Humanitarians is a neutral and independent NGO founded in 2024. #protecthumanitarians #20kmdeBruxelles #20kmdoorbrussel #notatarget #HumanitarianWorkers? #HumanitarianSupport ? #EmpoweringHumanitarians ? #HumanitarianAid ? #LeaveNoOneBehind ? #ProtectCivilians ? #ActForHumanity ? #SupportSurvivors ? #SavingLivesIsNotACrime ? #OurSharedHumanity?

? Mesdames et Messieurs, chers amis, chers collègues humanitaires, nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue à bord de cette édition Musique et 7ème Art et vous souhaitons un agréable envol. ? C’est sur ces mots que s’est ouvert le cinquième concert de CoCreate Humanity au Rosey Concert Hall à Rolle, en Suisse. Successivement, les mots de Fran?ois Etourmy, directeur de la maison ATHOS Bordeaux, Olivier Vandecasteele, fondateur de Protect Humanitarians, Yasmina Guerda, responsable du plaidoyer et de la communication pour les territoires palestiniens occupés chez Relief International, et Hélène Ros, présidente de CCH, ont résonné sous le d?me familier du Rosey Concert Hall. Ce fut une édition spéciale avec l’ouverture chorégraphique de la danseuse Lisa Rinsoz, accompagnée par Julie Sévilla-Fraysse sur Le Chant des Oiseaux de Pablo Casals, hymne de l’association. Puis, sur une scène éclairée par les logos de CoCreate Humanity en toile de fonds, nous avons pu entendre des morceaux tels que Titanic, Gabriel’s Oboe ou Shallow… Un concert où l’on ne vit pas le temps passer et qui a transporté l’audience dans une bulle de douceur et de beauté durant soixante minutes. CoCreate Humanity remercie chaleureusement celles et ceux qui ont contribué à rendre cet événement possible : Julie Sévilla Fraysse (violoncelle), Vincent Bidal (piano), Jeremy Joel (Jeremy Gras, guitare et voix), Lisa Rinsoz (chorégraphie), les intervenants, les nombreux bénévoles, l’équipe technique du Rosey, l’artiste Pierre Bessuges pour sa magnifique exposition Seven Winters. Nous remercions infiniment Marie-Noelle Tirogalas pour sa confiance renouvelée, et René Meyer pour son professionnalisme et son enthousiasme. Dans l’attente des photos officielles et de la captation vidéo de Samuel Damiani, nous vous laissons découvrir ce moment hors du temps via les clichés de l’incroyable photographe Kalian Lo et sur les mots précieux d’Olivier Vandecasteele : ? Car au travers de chaque humanitaire que l’on kidnappe ou tue, c’est un geste d’humanité que l’on empêche, et un peu d’humanité qu’on assassine. Alors que faire ? Soutenir la résilience des humanitaires qui continuent leur travail, chaque jour, pour apporter de l’aide à celles et ceux qui en ont besoin. Je remercie du fond du c?ur CoCreate Humanity pour son invitation, et en particulier Hélène, avec qui je chemine sur cet étroit sentier qui vise à réhumaniser un milieu humanitaire sous pression. Merci aux musiciens, et en particulier Julie, de nous apporter beauté et consolation grace à leur art. Car la musique a ce pouvoir. Et merci enfin à vous, le public, qui venez témoigner ici de votre attachement aux idéaux de solidarité, d’échange et de partage, pour soutenir et reconstruire celles et ceux qui s’engagent encore pour un monde meilleur. ? Nous vous invitons à nous soutenir plus que jamais en devenant membre ou par un don : https://lnkd.in/dvYDDT5 MERCI DE VOTRE SOLIDARITé ?? Crédit photos : Kalian Lo

| #FreeAlberto | Over 100 days of #HumanitarianWorker Alberto Trentini arbitrarily detained. ?? Alberto Trentini, a dedicated humanitarian worker, has been arbitrarily detained in #Venezuela since November 15, 2024. For more than 100 days, his family and friends have had not a single news of him. His Embassy has been unable to contact him. This is under no circumstances acceptable. ?? Alberto was in Venezuela providing #aid to those in need, yet he now finds himself arbitrarily detained. Humanitarian workers are #NotATarget - they must be protected and respected. ?? Sign the #petition and join the 76,000 people who have already taken a stand for Alberto’s freedom! Let’s raise our voices and demand his release! ?? https://lnkd.in/d7R2dWe2 ???At Protect Humanitarians, we support the movement calling for Alberto’s freedom, ?Our NGO, Protect Humanitarians, urgently calls on the Italian government to act with determination and urgency - bring Alberto home now. The Government of Venezuela must end this wrongful detention immediately. We urge citizens, humanitarians, and world leaders to raise their voices and demand his release.” -?Protect Humanitarians on La Repubblica. ??? Full article: https://lnkd.in/dJRbk5gw ?? Protect Humanitarians is an independent NGO advocating for better #protection and #support for humanitarian personnel. Through a dedicated emergency fund, we provide concrete support to NGOs and their staff, survivors of attacks, and victims’ relatives. We conduct #research and promote best practices in #staffcare, #mentalhealth, and #legalassistance to support #survivors after incidents. ??Support and Donate to Protect Humanitarians! You will protect, support and empower those who dedicate their lives to helping others. ?? https://lnkd.in/dwB5_VpX ?? Be the Change ?? Protect Humanitarians is an independent NGO founded in 2024 #AlbertoLibero #HumanitarianWorkers? #NotATarget ? #Resilience ? #protecthumanitarians #HumanitarianSupport ? #EmpoweringHumanitarians ? #HumanitarianAid ? #StopBombingCivilians ? #LeaveNoOneBehind ? #ProtectCivilians ? #ActForHumanity ? #SupportSurvivors ? #SavingLivesIsNotACrime ? #OurSharedHumanity?