In 2022, the German Red Cross significantly expanded its presence in Ukraine, working in close cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. In an interview with Humanitarian Media Hub, Head of Delegation of the German Red Cross Joris D’havé spoke about the evolution of this partnership, civil protection, support for communities during the winter, and the lessons Germany is learning from Ukraine’s experience.
Experience in the Red Cross Movement and Work in Crisis Regions
Joris D’havé has been involved in the Red Cross Movement for nearly ten years. After university, he joined the Belgian Development Agency, now known as Enabel, working in several African countries before moving to the Red Cross.
“First, it was the Belgian Red Cross, four years in different African countries. Then, in 2017, I joined the German Red Cross in Beirut, at the peak of the Syria crisis. I was responsible for regional programmes in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon,” he recalls.
D’havé arrived in Ukraine in February 2022, before the full-scale escalation. “I was planning a short break, but it turned out to be brief. I was invited to come to Ukraine. And I’ve been here for four years now,” he says.
Cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross from Chernobyl to the Present
The partnership between the German Red Cross and the Ukrainian Red Cross has a long history. “We usually refer to Chornobyl disaster in 1986 as a symbolic starting point. Cooperation has been on and off, without a permanent team on the ground,” D’havé explains.
After the conflict began in 2014, the German Red Cross opened a delegation first in Kharkiv and later in Kramatorsk. Programmes were relatively small in scale and focused on cash assistance in Donetsk region. The full-scale invasion significantly changed the scope of operations.
“When I arrived, there were 30 to 40 people at the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross. Now there are 700 to 800 staff at headquarters level alone. The organisation has become large and complex,” he says.
According to D’havé, the growth in support happened in parallel with strengthening the capacity of the Ukrainian side. “We understood that implementation capacity at the beginning of 2022 needed to be reinforced. Our approach was to work alongside regional organisations, literally sitting next to them and building processes step by step.”
Read also:
War and medicine in Ukraine. What new humanitarian data shows
Civil Protection as a Key Priority
The German Red Cross does not have a separate strategy for Ukraine. Priorities are defined by the Ukrainian Red Cross.
“We look at the priorities identified by the Ukrainian side and consider where we can naturally complement their work,” D’havé explains.
The main areas include civil protection, social services, and health. Particular emphasis is placed on civil protection.
“The State Emergency Service is doing tremendous work, but it cannot be everywhere. The scale of the country and the challenges is enormous. That is why the Ukrainian Red Cross is asked to help establish volunteer fire brigades in rural communities and to coordinate spontaneous volunteers after shelling,” he says.
Davé draws parallels with Germany, where the German Red Cross is also integrated into the response system. “Both in Ukraine and in Germany, the system is decentralised. The Red Cross acts as a link between state emergency services and communities.”
Winter Response and Support for the Most Vulnerable
The winter months posed serious challenges due to attacks on energy infrastructure. Heating points became one of the visible elements of the response.
“But the most vulnerable are not necessarily those who come to such points. These are people with limited mobility who live on the 17th or 18th floor and cannot leave their apartments on their own,” D’havé emphasises.
He highlights the work of mobile health units and Home based care programs. “It’s not only about food or medicine. It is important that people feel they have not been forgotten. If cooperation with the state works well, teams reach out to them without waiting for a request.”
In his view, the strength of the Red Cross lies in its local presence and knowledge of communities. “People have to respond themselves, but they need to know what to do and how to do it. Preparedness is the foundation of an effective response system.”
Read also:
Reintegration of veterans in Ukraine is changing with a focus on women and LGBTIQ+ military personnel
Coordination with International Partners and the UN
Working in Ukraine requires constant coordination with other international actors. “It’s almost my full-time job — talking, coordinating, figuring out who is doing what,” Davé admits.
Within the Red Cross Movement, all National Societies support the Ukrainian Red Cross, which serves as the main implementer and coordinator with the UN system.
“The UN coordinates international actors through clusters — water and sanitation, health, mental health and psychosocial support. For us, the entry point is the Ukrainian Red Cross. It represents Red Cross activities within coordination mechanisms,” he explains.
What Gives Hope and a Message to Germany
Speaking about hope, D’havé refers to the daily resilience of Ukrainians. “Sometimes we take it for granted. But that does not mean people have a choice. They live in this reality every day.”
He was struck by the ability to find joy in small things even after a difficult winter. “It was minus 20, then minus 15 and sunny. And I saw smiles because it was five degrees warmer. That is inspiring.”
Addressing a German audience, D’havé speaks about awareness of the scale of the challenge. “First of all, gratitude. In Germany, there has been a serious shift in understanding that conflict is again in Europe. Ukraine’s needs remain enormous — from mental health and psychosocial support to evacuation, social services, and strengthening communities in remote areas.”
He is convinced that support will continue. “No one wants this to stop more than Ukrainians. And it is important to remember that for them, this is a daily reality.”
Read also:
5.6 million Ukrainians abroad — new data from CES research
