Employees of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” completed a HEAT training course—a program on survival and response in high-risk areas
The staff of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” have completed a four-day intensive HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) course, designed to prepare individuals for work in high-risk environments. For a team carrying out humanitarian missions in frontline regions, this was not only a challenge but also an opportunity to strengthen their professional skills.
The training covered the simulation of real threats and practical exercises in conditions closely resembling combat situations. Participants learned how to respond to shelling, navigate checkpoints, avoid landmine hazards, plan safe routes, and provide emergency medical aid according to the MARCH protocol. Each day of the training required not only knowledge but also quick reactions, teamwork, and effective communication in crisis situations.
Simulations became a key part of the training, allowing participants to test their abilities in scenarios reflecting real challenges. It was a time to step out of their comfort zone, overcome fears, and rethink their capabilities. The training helped not only refine technical skills but also build psychological resilience, which is the foundation of safety in extreme conditions.
Enrique Menendez, Program Director of the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” remarked:
“These four days were not just about learning, but also about testing our own capabilities. The simulations help us not only absorb new knowledge but also understand how to apply it in real-life situations. This experience strengthens the team and makes our work even more effective.”
The NGO “Responsible Citizens” continues to demonstrate its commitment to its mission – helping those who need it most. Through such training, the team becomes stronger, more cohesive, and better prepared for the challenges that daily reality presents.
Більше новин
-
A meeting took place in Vienna between representatives of Ukraine’s civil society and Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander SchallenbergThe international community is making a significant contribution to the development of civil society organizations in Ukraine, which are working in critical areas t...
-
Youth at the Centre of Ukraine’s Recovery: A Discussion within the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026On 24 June, a panel discussion entitled “From Aid Recipients to Change-Makers: Youth at the Centre of Ukraine’s Recovery” will take place in Gdańsk as part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026. We invite representatives of government authorities, civil society, international organisations, and donor organisations to join the discussion on the role of youth in the recovery of communities and the country.
-
Educational forum “Points of Support”: How to support students and teachers in times of ongoing challengesA two-day educational and resource forum, "Points of Support," took place in Dnipro, bringing together educators from across Ukraine. The main goal of the event was professional collaboration to find effective solutions for students' psychological resilience and the educational process as a whole.
-
NGO “Responsible Citizens” participates in HORIZONTAL 5.0 Festival “Women’s Voice: From Idea to Action”Participants gathered to discuss current social challenges, strengthen cooperation, and define ways to effectively support women in crisis conditions.
-
NGO “Responsible Citizens” became the winner in the nomination “Light of Knowledge: Charity in the Name of the Future” at the forum “Donetsk Region 2025: A Look into the Future.”The forum became an important platform for strengthening dialogue between the state, local authorities, and the civic sector.
-
“I was born during a war and lived to see another one”Nina Pavlovna lives in a settlement in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region, a few kilometers from the front line. She lives alone, without family. Her only support is a former student who told her about a multi-purpose cash assistance program implemented by the NGO "Responsible Citizens" with support from Mercy Corps and funding from the UK government.
-
Inclusive Support Specialists Learn Modern Methods of Working with ChildrenIn Zaporizhzhia, specialists from the “Responsible Citizens” NGO took part in a training on modern methods of corrective and developmental work, which helped psychologists, speech therapists and special education specialists expand their practical tools for working with children with special educational needs. The training was held with the support of Save the Children and with the assistance of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Resource Centre for Inclusive Education Support.
-
Supporting resilience in frontline communities of Donetsk RegionDespite constant shelling threats and a volatile security situation, eight mobile psychosocial support teams in Donetsk region provide daily assistance to children and their families. Specialists in psychology, speech therapy, and social work operate in communities where access to basic services is limited or entirely absent.