Do you want to go on a humanitarian mission, but you don't know where to start and where to go? Please note that such an approach deserves to be well prepared in order to meet your expectations. In any case, motivation and the desire to help are the main drivers ! You should also take the time to choose your destination wisely and define the tasks that await you there, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Approximately 20,000 French people get involved each year on humanitarian programs abroad, of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. If you want to do like them and definitely embark on this project, here is all our advice for going on a mission humanitarian in the best conditions.
Going on a humanitarian mission: asking yourself the right questions
Before taking any action to provide humanitarian aid, you must ask yourself essential questions :
- Why did you decide to go on a humanitarian mission?
- What is your goal?
- Are you aware of the stakes of your mission?
- How long do you want to leave and in what context?
- Do you want to do physical work or more intellectual work?
- Are you ready to encounter psychologically difficult situations?
- Which continent should you go to and what type of climate do you prefer?
- etc.
This first step is essential, because as you certainly suspect, going on a humanitarian mission, it's far from a vacation. You are not going to rest or bask in the sun (you still have to land in a tropical country!).
Certainly, it is another way to travel and meet local populationsbut you must keep in mind that you are leaving to work and, above all, most importantly, to help a vulnerable population who live with few resources.
Finally, ask yourself the question of go alone or not. Most often, it is a personal approach, but there are also structures where you can go with a friend, and even with family.
The different possibilities for going on a humanitarian mission
After preparing yourself psychologically, you must then take the time to choose your mission carefully. Do not neglect this second step, because it will be decisive in the rest of your adventure. To minimize difficulties, opt for a mission that speaks to you and makes you feel comfortable. To summarize, go by feelingwhile checking the reputation of the associations or solidarity organizations with which you plan to get involved.
You therefore have the choice of going on a humanitarian mission in different areasfor example: health, education, the environment, the social and cultural sector, transport or even the organization and management of missions. The ideal is to do not venture into completely unknown areasyou risk feeling uncomfortable and useless.
There exists many associations, NGOs, programs and foundations proposing to go on a humanitarian mission, here are some ideas to guide you:
Civic Service abroad
Offered to young people between 16 and 25 years oldCivic Service is a form of paid volunteering which can be carried out both in France and abroad. The missions and destinations are varied: all over the world, you can, for example, provide academic support in a school or an orphanage, help develop educational projects or even support disabled people. Stays last between 6 and 12 monthswithout any possibility of splitting or renewal. It is therefore essential to be sure of yourself before committing!
The European Voluntary Service (EVS)
EVS programs take place mainly in Europebut can also be carried out in nearby countries, such as Morocco, Algeria or Lebanon. If you are between 18 and 30 years old, you can directly contact an approved organization which will take care of your application file to go on a humanitarian mission. for 2 to 12 months. If you don't want to go too far and get involved in various fields, such as environmental or heritage protection, this could be a good option!
International projects
If you like work in a team and meet people from all over the worldgo and do an international project! Present in many countries, they bring together volunteers aged 16 and over. Their missions are varied: helping with literacy, building schools or wells, maintaining trails, caring for animals… The immense advantage is that they take place on short periods (generally between 2 and 3 weeks), you can therefore go on a humanitarian mission during the school holidays. In return, you will have to pay the cost of transport, the visa if necessary and often travel insurance. One of the main French organizations is Solidarités Jeunesses.
International Solidarity Volunteering (IVS)
If you want to go on a humanitarian mission to a long duration (between 6 months and 2 years), International Solidarity Volunteering is ideal. It brings together 30 associations approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So you are sure to be in good hands! The missions all take place abroadparticularly in Africa, Asia or South America. The majority of them are oriented towards teaching, social activities and health.
Go on a humanitarian mission with an NGO or association
These are the most common missionsbecause the criteria used to take volunteers are less strict than in other settings. You will be able to go to a developing country to help there. There, the offer is very wide: construction sites, help in schools or orphanages, but also eco-volunteering to help local populations preserve the fauna and flora of their region. So be careful to choose a known and reputable structureat the risk of finding yourself in a delicate situation upon arrival.
Depending on the country, this type of mission may have a significant cost for the volunteerbecause he will have to cover travel, visa and insurance costs. To help you finance your trip, you can, for example, use online crowdfunding pots.
Be a United Nations Volunteer (UNV)
This category of humanitarian missions is aimed at experienced people since they most often intervene in countries at war or affected by famine or a natural disaster. The aim is therefore to provide assistance using professional experience and skills. In addition, only volunteers over the age of 25 who speak English or Spanish fluently are retained by UNV for a renewable period of 6 to 12 months. In addition, if you work in the medical field, your expertise is particularly sought after, for example by Médecins sans Frontières.
Where to go on a humanitarian mission: some ideas
A humanitarian mission in Burkina Faso, Africa
Appearing in the list of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso is theone of the most popular destinations for going on a humanitarian mission.
As a volunteer, you will be put in contact with vulnerable children, orphans and people with HIV. If you decide to carry out a humanitarian mission in one of the country's orphanages, you will be responsible for supervising the children during the establishment's activities. With a little luck (and possibly some training), you might even be able to get a “position” as an extracurricular activities facilitator.
Regarding humanitarian missions focused on the fight against HIV/AIDS, you will easily integrate the awareness missions and promotion of voluntary screening for the disease.
Learn more about the climate of Burkina Faso
Going on a humanitarian mission to Bolivia
Humanitarian missions in Bolivia are mainly concentrated in the Cochabamba region. As a volunteer, YOU provide your assistance to orphanages, daycare centers or centers specializing in welcoming young people experiencing social difficulties or children suffering from mental disabilities. Your role will therefore be to keep these children company, to liven up their days through fun and entertaining activities.
In orphanages located in more remote areas, your mission will rather consist of their provide better living conditionsparticularly in the health sector. It may even happen that you are reoriented in the field of food and medical care. Depending on your language skills, you can also complete your humanitarian mission by French and English language teaching from one of the schools in Bolivia.
Learn more about Bolivia's climate
Volunteer in India
Victims of natural disasters and social or religious conflicts, Asian countries like India also need the help of volunteers like you.
During your humanitarian mission, you may be assigned to important tasks at an orphanage. For example, you could be in charge of babies (changing diapers, giving a bottle, etc.). It even happens that you are coveted in preparing the little ones for their day of school. Orphaned, these vulnerable children also need to be redirected in life, to avoid falling into juvenile delinquency. To do this, you will have to give them confidence so that they acquire hygiene and moral rules. In India it is also common tointervene with women in precarious situations.
Learn more about India's climate
Going on a humanitarian mission is far from an easy task, but it is certainly an enriching and rewarding experience. You must take into account a whole series of parameters before embarking on such an adventure. Take the time to think about it, prepare your stay well and let's go a break that will mark you for life!
