Ukraine has long remained at the epicentre of Europe’s largest humanitarian crisis. Despite the war, people continue to rebuild their communities, while humanitarian organisations strive to support them in this process. Independent humanitarian consultant Antoine Terrien explains his journey in the humanitarian system and the Red Cross Movement, why humanitarian diplomacy is essential, good principles of partnerships, and what role volunteers play.
A path into the humanitarian sector that began with a simple first aid course
Antoine Terrien joined the Red Cross movement more than twenty years ago. He recalls completing a first aid course and, when offered the chance to become a volunteer, simply saying: ‘Alright, I’ll come.’ He went to his local branch in France and stayed for years. During this time, he completed dozens of training courses, worked in emergency response teams, and eventually decided to move into international work.
Studying humanitarian management opened the door to working in major emergencies in the world. His first mission was in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. ‘I felt that I could do more and that I had the capacity to do more,’ he explains, describing his decision to pursue professional humanitarian work.
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The evolution towards humanitarian diplomacy
Over years of active work in crisis settings, he noticed that operational experience alone was not enough to deliver effective assistance. Engaging with those who make decisions was essential. This shaped his understanding of humanitarian diplomacy – dialogue with people who hold power, to influence assistance for civilian, and to change approaches to protect the population.
‘We have to explain about the rights or needs of civilians. We have to try to influence the ones who hold power so they make the right decision for the benefit of the vulnerable people,’ he says. Humanitarian diplomacy, he notes, begins with dialogue and deep contextual understanding.
Ten years in Ukraine: helping people and strengthening the Ukrainian Red Cross
Antoine has worked with Ukraine since 2015. Initially, his focus was on projects in the east for internally displaced people and conflict affected population, rapidly complemented supporting the organisational development of the Ukrainian Red Cross. ‘We always tried to have these two directions: how we respond to people’s needs and how we supportthe Ukrainian Red Cross to develop,’ he explains of the Danish Red Cross approach in this time.
Among the most important achievements, he highlights the development of the mental health and psychosocial support programme of the Ukrainian Red Cross. It began to take shape in 2015–2016 and was systematised and expanded in 2018. Today it is one of the key programmes, present in most regions of the country. ‘This is the fruit on the trees now,’ he says, emphasising that the program is sustained not by grants alone but by the way the organisation integrates it into a more sustainable approach.
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How Ukraine has changed since July 2022
Antoine left Ukraine in the summer of 2022. Returning every year, he sees a country where the sense of war is present everywhere, yet life has not stopped. ‘The country is very active again, the economy, the people, almost normal life, I would say. Almost, but not everything is normal,’ he describes.
Fatigue is visible, but resilience even more so. People work, support their loved ones, and strive to preserve their communities. ‘Even if people are tired, even if there are many challenges, people still stand.’
The role of humanitarian diplomacy in the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross
As an auxiliary to the government in the humanitarian field, the Ukrainian Red Cross constantly engages with state institutions, international partners, and local organisations. ‘This multi levels engagement is key,’ Antoine says, explaining the importance of dialogue, especially in the context of armed conflict.
He points out that excessive politicisation of humanitarian assistance and widespread misinformation complicate dialogue and at times hinder humanitarian organizations from carrying out their work.
He notes the increasing involvement of young people in diplomatic engagement, as well as the potential of the Ukrainian Red Cross to turn field knowledge into advocacy – through research, experience, and cooperation with authorities.
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Partnership built on trust and respect
According to Antoine Terrien, effective partnerships between international actors and local organisations are only possible through trust and respect. He stresses a core principle: national organisations should lead in their own countries, while international partners should support them. This, he believes, is the key to relevant and efficient partnerships.
Civil society as the foundation of future recovery
Civil society organisations, he says, remain in the country for the long term and bring the voices of vulnerable people into dialogue with authorities. Strengthening their capacity is one important element of Ukraine’s reconstruction.
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What gives hope
‘People,’ Antoine answers without hesitation. They – not budgets or documents – create the real value of humanitarian work. Organizations are only “vehicles” to achieve humanitarian objectives, but it is the people inside who are the drivers.He speaks of volunteers, specialists, and local teams, those who give every day for the sake of others.
A message to Ukrainians
Antoine admits he first discovered Ukraine only in 2015 — and he was deeply moved by its people. He sees how they continue to change despite the war, preserving their humanity and inner strength. ‘People should trust themselves… they are moving in the right direction,’ he says. He adds that sometimes it is a crisis that nurtures humanity and makes it shine most brightly.
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