“What Makes a Humanitarian” | Erin Kilborn | TEDxUniversityofGlasgow

Summary

The speaker reflects on their journey as a humanitarian worker, drawing on experiences in various global crises. They emphasize key qualities for success in the field: effective communication, creativity, flexibility, resilience, and emotional awareness. The speaker shares personal stories, such as working in Haiti and treating burn victims, which reveal the importance of understanding patients' broader needs. Despite the emotional and physical challenges, they stress the significance of making a positive impact on individuals' lives, concluding that even small actions in humanitarian work can have profound significance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Humanitarian work may feel insignificant at times, but it is crucial and impactful in the long run.
• 😀 The definition of a humanitarian lacks depth and doesn't fully capture the challenges and experiences involved in the field.
• 😀 Exposure to suffering and injustice in the media often triggers short-lived empathy, but working directly in challenging environments brings about a deeper understanding of the issues.
• 😀 Communication skills, flexibility, creativity, resilience, and self-awareness are essential qualities for a successful humanitarian worker.
• 😀 Understanding cultural context and overcoming language barriers is crucial in providing effective care and building trust with patients in the field.
• 😀 Humanitarian workers often have to find creative solutions when faced with resource scarcity, such as using non-standard materials or methods to treat patients.
• 😀 Making difficult decisions, such as prioritizing patients due to limited resources, is an unavoidable part of humanitarian work, and it requires emotional resilience.
• 😀 Working in humanitarian settings often involves facing deep emotional trauma, which can lead to frustration, helplessness, and anger towards human suffering.
• 😀 To maintain effectiveness, humanitarian workers must recognize their emotional limits and ensure they take necessary breaks to avoid burnout.
• 😀 National staff in conflict or resource-poor environments display remarkable resilience, and their ability to endure hardships with grace serves as an inspiration to their international colleagues.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe defines a good humanitarian worker?

The speaker believes that a good humanitarian worker is defined by qualities such as effective communication, flexibility, creativity, resilience, and an understanding of their vulnerabilities and weaknesses. These traits help individuals navigate difficult environments and make a positive impact despite challenges.

What was the speaker's initial inspiration to become a humanitarian?

The speaker was inspired by an interview with a doctor and a nurse from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which opened their eyes to the possibility of using medical skills in challenging environments to treat people in need. The idea of going to exciting places and helping people in culturally diverse settings motivated them to pursue a career in humanitarian work.

How does the speaker view the definition of a humanitarian according to the dictionary?

The speaker acknowledges the dictionary definition of a humanitarian as someone who works for the betterment of the human condition and the welfare of humanity. However, they feel the definition lacks depth and does not fully capture the complex realities and experiences involved in humanitarian work.

What impact did working at an orphan care center in Sri Lanka have on the speaker?

Working at the orphan care center in Sri Lanka made the speaker deeply aware of the inequalities faced by those in impoverished regions, particularly in accessing medical care. This experience solidified their desire to pursue a career in humanitarian work, aiming to address these disparities.

What does the speaker mention about the role of communication in humanitarian work?

The speaker highlights that communication is crucial, not only in terms of language but also in understanding and navigating cultural barriers. This helps to build trust with patients, especially in environments where misunderstandings or mistrust can arise, such as in their work with burns patients in Haiti.

Can you describe a challenging moment the speaker faced during their first mission with MSF?

During their first mission in Haiti, the speaker was assigned to a burns unit and was initially terrified because they had never treated burns patients before. Despite the language barrier and limited experience, they collaborated effectively with a team of skilled national nurses and doctors, which helped them overcome the challenge.

What lesson did the speaker learn from the burns patients in Haiti?

The speaker learned that, beyond the medical care they provided, understanding the broader context of their patients' lives and needs was essential. For example, they missed an important question about intimacy in the aftermath of severe burns, illustrating how vital it is to consider the full spectrum of human needs in care.

What does the speaker say about creativity and flexibility in a resource-limited environment?

The speaker emphasizes the need for creativity and flexibility when working in resource-limited settings. They explain that in situations where protocols cannot be fully followed due to shortages of materials or space, humanitarian workers must think outside the box to provide the best care possible with what is available.

How did the speaker cope with the emotional toll of working with victims of sexual violence in Central African Republic?

The speaker struggled with the emotional toll of treating victims of sexual violence, particularly after working with a young girl and her grandmother who had witnessed a horrific attack. The experience left the speaker feeling frustrated, helpless, and disgusted with humanity. However, they learned from their colleagues' ability to carry on with grace and professionalism despite the emotional weight of the work.

What is the significance of the speaker’s respect for national staff in conflict zones?

The speaker expresses deep respect for national staff working in conflict zones because they often face personal hardships, such as working in active war zones or dealing with their own family tragedies, yet they continue to provide care to patients with the same professionalism and compassion. The speaker admires their resilience and ability to manage their emotions in such challenging circumstances.