ABSTRACT
Fieldwork exposes providers to physical hardship, security risks, and personal traumatization, which may create a perception that their life has no value, resulting in neglecting self-care and/or taking unnecessary risks. When the existential despair and survivor’s guilt sink in, it is very easy to lose perspective and feel that joining the victims is the only moral choice left. Then, connecting with MH, personal supports, and peers can help to avert an unnecessary sacrifice. In humanitarian work, the safety imperative or the absolute priority of safety refers to security and information technologies, environmental concerns, and the fundamental premise of how we assess the risks and prioritize safety. Not surprisingly, the burnout rate among aid workers is extremely high, and recognizing the indicators is the first step toward its reversal. A list of common burnout indicators comes with recommendations for their reversal. Special attention is given to reentry, a time during which the returning aid workers often face difficult readjustment that may exacerbate the trauma and stresses of fieldwork—which, once again, emphasizes the crucial importance of self-care and peer supports.
