All of us are shocked by the brutal invasion of the Ukraine. War in Europe on a scale not seen for many years is a real source of concern for the Geneva School of Diplomacy (GSD) Humanitarian Initiative Programme (HIP).
The HIP programme was launched by our students to allow for concrete action to help the most vulnerable. GSD, through the HIP programme, has engaged in other projects in the past, such as bringing water to villages in Africa; organizing medical camps; assisting with supporting schools for girls; help to refugees in Lesbos, Greece etc. GSD students are embarking now on what they are simply calling ‘Project Ukraine’.
The project collaborates with the Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH). PAH is a Polish non-governmental organisation operating since 1992. Their immediate humanitarian response to a crisis is the main priority, but equally important is seeking long-term solutions and preventing further catastrophes.
After the first mission in April 2022 in collaboration with PAH, HIP will assess how GSD can continue to provide support to the most vulnerable in the weeks and months to come.
Mission 1:
- Dates: 7 April – 10 April 2022
- Location: Hrebenne, Poland (Ukraine-Poland border crossing)
- Aims:
- Providing transport – including but not limited to, providing a shuttle service from Hrebenne to Krakow for incoming Ukrainian refugees
- Procuring and delivering essential humanitarian goods – these goods change on a daily basis, and PAH will identify items in most need the morning of purchase
- Supporting PAH on the ground – volunteers will be delegated to various tasks on a needs-basis to support the PAH team
- Focus group – the most vulnerable persons include: children, women and elderly
- Target – funds raising – Minimum 4000 CHF by 5 April 2022
