436 Navigating challenges: supporting and strengthening refugee aid workers

Abstract WKS 5: Navigating Challenges: Supporting and Strengthening Refugee Aid Workers, Auditório B1 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 15:45 - 16:45 Rationales and Purpose With ongoing global migration, refugee aid workers (RAWs) operate in high-pressure environments, making critical decisions while navigating systemic barriers, resource constraints, and ethical dilemmas. Often working under unstable conditions, balancing competing needs and witnessing profound suffering, they face chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. These risks can undermine their well-being and, ultimately, the quality of care provided to refugees and migrants. This workshop aims to identify the specific needs of RAWs, foster interprofessional collaboration, and define key priorities and actions to support and strengthen this essential workforce. Workshop Process The workshop will follow a roundtable format. After a brief introduction by the facilitator, panelists—experts from various countries, institutions and international organizations—will share research findings and field experiences on the needs of aid workers supporting displaced populations. A panel discussion will explore necessary actions to address these needs and strengthen the workforce. Participants will then split into three groups for interactive discussions focused on: The session will conclude with short group presentations and a final wrap-up. Projected Learning Outcomes Participants will critically reflect on the challenges and needs of RAWs, identify unmet needs and key priorities, and explore collaborative strategies and actions required across multiple levels to strengthen the workforce and support informed decision-making.