The main objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity of first responders, volunteers, and community workers to provide effective mental and emotional support in disaster situations. We aimed to equip them with key soft skills such as empathy, active listening, psychological first aid, cultural sensitivity, and stress management. To achieve this, we developed user-friendly, multilingual awareness raising resources. We also wanted to ensure that these resources would be accessible in real-life crisis conditions, which led to the creation of a mobile app and audio-based learning materials (podcasts). A further objective was to raise awareness among institutions and the public about the importance of emotional resilience in disaster response and to promote long-term integration of mental support skills in training programs. Overall, the project aimed to bridge the gap between technical preparedness and psychosocial readiness.
We applied for this project in response to a clearly identified gap in the training of first responders and volunteers working in disaster situations: the lack of psychological and emotional support skills. While many of these professionals are technically well-prepared, they often lack the tools to provide mental support to disaster victims or to manage their own emotional stress. This became particularly visible during recent floods and earthquakes across Europe, where the human impact extended far beyond physical injuries. Our project aimed to address this need by developing awareness raising materials which provide comprehensive guidance and support to family and neighbours as helpers, enabling them to assist natural disaster victims with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a better understanding of their mental health. We also recognized the need for low-threshold digital access, especially in crisis regions and remote areas, which led to the development of a mobile app and podcast series. Overall, the project was driven by the need to improve care, communication, and preparedness among those who serve communities in their most vulnerable moments.