CoCreating Humanity

17 December is Remembrance Day when the Red Cross acknowledges and honours its workers who lose their lives in the line of their humanitarian mission. Unfortunately, every year humanitarians, caring for and helping those adversely impacted by conflict and disaster, promoting human dignity and alleviating suffering, are injured, kidnapped and killed themselves.

On that day, the memory of those who were killed is kept alive. Yet we often forget those surviving humanitarians that struggle with the impact their work has on them. Many carers do not have anyone advocating for them, nor do they find a lot of understanding. This year, however, there is something different. Something that gives hope.

23 years ago, I was injured and inexplicably survived a murderous attack on a Red Cross hospital - shot and left for dead. Six of my colleagues were killed that day. I am one among the 14 others who survived and carry first-hand impressions of that horrible incident with me.

We have all dealt differently with our experiences. Over the years, many of us have lost sight of each other. We do not often connect anymore to either share memories or help each other deal with the long term impact of what has happened. 

I know that my experience is far from unique in the humanitarian world. Many have experienced traumatic events on their assignments, and many prefer not to talk about it or to be reminded. Many lack a suitable environment or social contacts allowing them to share traumatic experiences. I cannot blame family members or friends, who mostly cannot relate to what I have been exposed to in the different conflict areas around the world. 

What has been harder to deal with, are the difficulties that humanitarian employers show with staff experiencing psychological injuries. Even today, 23 years after the massacre at Novye Atagi, there is an urgent need to improve their capacity in dealing with trauma, burnout and stress. When the money is scarce, the psychosocial wellbeing of the humanitarian staff just never seems to be a priority, when compared to supporting the affected populations of conflict and disaster in the world. 

There is a vision, forming over the recent years, out of my own healing process and from observing the struggles of fellow humanitarians, of a network and community that puts the wellbeing of the carers first. I am still deeply invested in the humanitarian motivation that had me start a humanitarian career so many years ago in the first place, and I am at the same time also profoundly convinced that we need to take care of those who care for others. It is only like this we can achieve the best and most effective outcomes for humanity.

This year, at the end of August, a small group of colleagues, Helene Ros, Marie-Claire Feghali, Sebastien Couturier and myself have come together to realize this vision. We incorporated CoCreate Humanity, as an association, to create a community of peers, with a culture of care, of those who work with a humanitarian calling.  

Our humble beginnings are in Geneva, a hub of international organizations. our intention is that this cocreative venture can grow into a global network of local nodes, to be present wherever there are humanitarian workers that are in need to belong to a community such as ours.

Our list of activities includes:

• Supporting those who suffer from stress, burnout and trauma
• Preserving the memory of those lost in the line of their humanitarian duties
• Supporting families who have lost loved humanitarian workers
• Advocating for a better understanding of what humanitarians experience in their work
• … and more

If you are reading this, and if you are like us, a humanitarian worker who has a painful story, and if you are looking for peer support, or simply need some understanding and a sympathetic ear: please get in touch and join us.  

If you understand what a humanitarian worker goes through - as a family member or a friend: we need your support! 

Today, we are still new and few, and we need support to get going. We are looking for people to join us and support our cause, either by signing up as an associate member of the association, or simply by giving us a donation. 

If you happen to live in or near Geneva, then please come and see us at the Humani-Café - our monthly social get-together, usually the last Friday of the month after work. For more details, please see here. If you are further away, connect through Facebook, LinkedIn, our website, or directly by email ([email protected]).

Today, we are looking for support because we are still very much at the beginning of our journey, and we need a start-up boost. At this stage, we cannot offer any tangible benefits for Associate Members. The main advantage of signing up, or supporting us with a donation, is that you help enable something significant: the building of support and caring services for those who make it their life’s work to care for others.

The values of Humanity are something precious. People who dedicate their work-life to helping others in need must not be left alone when they are in need themselves. 

“My life was saved, because we were a team.”

Sébastien Couturier,

CoCreator and Humanitarian

Please support CoCreate Humanity!