Just a few months ago, they were living ordinary lives. They worried about meals, bills, their children and work on the farm. They had their own homes, gardens and small farms. They were not wealthy, but they lived with dignity.

Today, many of them have literally nothing.

They are internally displaced people in Lebanon who, after the outbreak of war and the beginning of shelling, lost everything almost overnight. Today, they live in tents. Their entire belongings may amount to little more than a mattress, and even that was given to them by strangers. Some families have found shelter in long-abandoned buildings without kitchens, toilets or even the most basic living conditions. In one such place, rats literally fall through holes in the ceiling. Children sleep below.

People took only what they could carry while fleeing the bombardment. Sometimes just their documents. Sometimes a single bag. Sometimes nothing at all. Everything else they now have comes from relatives, neighbours and humanitarian organisations.

At the height of the current crisis, more than one million people were forced to leave their homes.

In these conditions, preparing an ordinary meal is no longer an ordinary task. There is no refrigerator, no cooker, no running water and no money for regular grocery shopping. That is why, through the SAFE project, the HumanDoc Foundation is providing 70,000 nutritious meals to internally displaced people and residents particularly affected by the war and Lebanon’s economic crisis. The support is directed primarily to families with children, older people, people who are ill and people with disabilities.

The meals are prepared and delivered regularly. This means that several hundred people receive consistent, practical support: nutritious, protein-rich food that is tasty and served with dignity. For families living without a kitchen, running water or the means to shop regularly, this removes at least one daily worry. They do not have to wonder every day where the next meal for themselves and their children will come from.

On the ground, we work with a small Lebanese organisation rooted in local communities and operating in one of the areas most exposed to armed violence. Its team is made up of people who have themselves suffered losses: they have lost loved ones, homes in southern Lebanon or their sources of income. They know where displaced families are staying, who has been left without support and which places are the hardest to reach.

That closeness to the community is crucial. The situation changes from one day to the next. People move again after further attacks, shelters fill up or empty, and assistance must be directed to where it is most urgently needed at that particular moment

In the Gaza Strip, access to drinking water and hygiene supplies is one of the most urgent needs of families living in camps and temporary settlements. Many people have left their homes without supplies, documents or personal belongings, and with no possibility of returning safely. Daily life continues in tents, makeshift shelters and places that were never meant for people to stay in for long.

That is why HumanDoc, in cooperation with local partners, provides access to drinking water and basic hygiene kits for internally displaced people. Assistance reaches families staying in camps and temporary shelters across the Gaza Strip, with particular attention given to households in the most difficult situation: families with children, older people, persons with disabilities, single mothers and people without stable support.

Water deliveries are organised through a mobile distribution model. Instead of creating one large collection point, where hundreds or thousands of people would have to gather, water is delivered as close as possible to the places where people actually live. Smaller water tankers are used because they can enter narrow streets, move between tents and reach improvised settlements. This solution may be less spectacular than a large convoy, but in practice it is often more effective: it reduces chaos, lowers the risks linked to crowds and makes it possible to reach people who cannot stand in line for long or carry heavy containers on their own.

At the same time, WASH kits are distributed — sets of basic hygiene items. They include products needed to maintain personal and household hygiene, such as soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary pads, tissues, wet wipes, towels and, where needed, diapers for infants. The contents of the kits may be adjusted depending on product availability and the logistical situation, but the goal remains the same: to help families maintain a minimum level of sanitary safety in conditions where even the simplest daily tasks become difficult.

Assistance is provided on the basis of ongoing needs assessment. Field teams work with local leaders and camp structures to better identify where support is most urgently needed. Beneficiaries are informed about planned distributions in advance, including through SMS messages and local community leaders. This helps organise the distribution process and reduces situations in which people gather without clear information, without order and without a sense of safety.

Why this matters

The lack of drinking water and hygiene supplies quickly becomes more than a logistical problem. It becomes a health risk, especially for children, older people and those already weakened. Without water, it is difficult to prepare a meal, wash hands, care for an infant, wash clothes or keep even basic cleanliness in a tent. Without hygiene supplies, the risk of disease, infection and further deterioration of living conditions increases.

In displacement settings, assistance must be carefully planned. It requires knowing where people are, who needs support the most, how to organise distribution safely, how to avoid creating unnecessary crowds and how to reach those who, in a standard queue-based system, would always be left behind.

That is why this project is based on local partners, mobile distribution and continuous assessment of the situation on the ground. Assistance is meant to reach the places where it is needed, in a way that is as safe, orderly and respectful of people’s dignity as possible.

The “On the Front Line” project is an educational series of short films and teaching materials devoted to humanitarian and development aid. Its aim is to deepen public understanding of how support mechanisms work in practice, what determines the effectiveness of aid, and how to tell the difference between action that genuinely supports people and intervention that only looks good on the surface.

The project grows out of the need to explain, in a simple and accessible way, things that are usually lost behind slogans, because well-delivered humanitarian aid is never a single decision or a single shipment. It is a carefully designed strategy and a network of logistical, financial, political and ethical choices. Some of these choices save lives and strengthen local communities. Others lead to mistakes, dependency or performative actions that serve their creators more than the people they are supposedly meant to help. As part of the project, 24 short video materials are produced to expand knowledge and understanding of these issues.

An additional component of the project is the expansion of a multimedia textbook on sustainable development with a new chapter devoted to effective and ineffective humanitarian aid. This new section presents both examples of actions that strengthen local communities and interventions that fail to deliver results or lead to unintended consequences. Such an analysis makes it possible to better understand what the real quality of aid depends on.

“On the Front Line” builds on Fundacja HumanDoc’s experience in global education and humanitarian work. Our goal is to show that good aid does not begin with an emotional impulse, but with an understanding of context.

The situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip has long exceeded the limits of what can be described as a humanitarian crisis. For many people—especially children—it means a lack of access to water, food, and basic living conditions. In the face of the paralysis of international humanitarian mechanisms, HumanDoc chooses to act where real support is still possible: through cooperation with local partners who are present on the ground.

Our work is based on a simple principle: aid must reach those who need it most, directly and without unnecessary intermediaries or delays. That is why we work with the local organisation Refugee Biriyani & Bananas, which has teams operating both in the Gaza Strip and in Egypt, as well as with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). This constant presence in the field makes it possible to act despite extremely limited access and to reach internally displaced persons’ camps and communities that others can no longer reach.

Through this cooperation, distributions of flour and drinking water have already been carried out—goods that are absolutely essential for the survival of families. Assistance has reached hundreds of families living in camps for internally displaced people, and further actions are being prepared. The flexible nature of this support allows for a rapid response to the changing availability of goods in the Gaza Strip and for action at moments when help is most urgently needed.

A key element of these efforts is local logistics. Aid is distributed directly from warehouses in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip, enabling efficient delivery to families who have been living for months in conditions of extreme shortage. This is a complex and high-risk operation, made possible by the knowledge of local teams and their continuous presence in the field.

“Mission Gaza” is a response to the sense of helplessness felt by many people watching the dramatic situation of the civilian population. It is a call to act here and now—support that turns into real help: sacks of flour, litres of water, concrete packages delivered to specific families. Thanks to the solidarity of donors, assistance is already reaching thousands of people. The work continues, and every further contribution increases its scale and reach.

Opolszczyzna Ready for Crisis

Crises are part of our lives, yet when they occur, what proves most surprising is not the event itself but how unprepared we are for it: a flood, an interruption in energy supplies, information chaos, or a situation in which many institutions operate in parallel but not together. Crisis situations reveal what in the system works and mercilessly expose what has remained inconsistent or unresolved for years.

The project “Opolszczyzna Ready for Crisis” grows out of the experience of the HumanDoc Foundation gained on the front line of such situations. It is rooted in the conviction that the safety of residents does not depend solely on infrastructure and procedures, but also on relationships, trust, and the capacity for cooperation at the local level.

Opolszczyzna is the smallest voivodeship in Poland, yet it is a region that regularly experiences the effects of floods and other threats. The history of recent decades shows that crises return here repeatedly, each time exposing the same weaknesses: fragmented actions, a lack of coherent coordination, insufficient information flow, and the underestimation of the role of civil society organisations. The project responds to these gaps by strengthening local capacities for response and preparedness for extraordinary situations.

At the core of the project is the building of cross-sector cooperation networks. Local governments, emergency services, civil society organisations, public institutions, and local leaders all bring different resources and competencies. The project includes intensive, hands-on workshop activities, during which local leaders, representatives of municipalities, NGOs, and services learn joint planning, coordination, and response in realistic risk scenarios. These activities are complemented by online sessions focused on disinformation—on identifying false narratives, verifying information, and conducting responsible communication during crises. The project creates a space where stakeholders can meet, develop shared plans, establish procedures and resource maps, and better understand their respective roles in crisis situations. As a result, response moves away from improvisation toward coordinated, well-synchronised action.

At the same time, the operational capacity of the HumanDoc Foundation’s crisis response team is being strengthened. This is a group deeply rooted in the region, with experience in humanitarian crises and natural disasters, including members with lived experience of migration and displacement. The project develops their competencies in teamwork, field safety, stress response, and in addressing the needs of particularly vulnerable groups such as older people, persons with disabilities, and families in difficult situations. The aim is to ensure that assistance is fast, appropriate, and safe—both for those receiving support and for those providing it.

Countering disinformation is another key component of the project. Crisis experience shows that false or incomplete information can escalate tension and paralyse relief efforts. For this reason, the project strengthens the capacity of local leaders to recognise and neutralise disinformation and to conduct responsible crisis communication based on facts and cooperation with multiple stakeholders.

“Opolszczyzna Ready for Crisis” is a process, not a one-off event. Its goal is to sustainably increase the region’s social resilience—resilience grounded in cooperation, knowledge, and readiness to act before a crisis spirals out of control. It is an investment in the safety of residents and in a system capable of learning from experience, rather than starting from scratch each time.

We support staff at Migrant Integration Centres (CICs) in addressing violence against women and girls

In response to the growing needs of displaced people from Ukraine—particularly women and children affected by trauma and violence—HumanDoc Foundation, in cooperation with CARE Poland, is developing a comprehensive online course on gender-based violence (GBV). The course is designed for teams working at Migrant Integration Centres (CICs) across Poland.

The aim of the course is to equip CIC staff with the knowledge, tools, and practical guidance needed to identify, respond to, and support individuals affected by violence. The course is based on current standards for working with people in crisis and consists of 14 key modules. These cover definitions and types of violence, elements of psychological first aid, the support system in Poland, and case management.

Why is this important?
Many people accessing CIC services are dealing with difficult experiences, including violence. We believe that well-prepared staff are key to creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters integration and builds the resilience of people with migration experience.

The course is primarily intended for CIC staff, but not only—they will be equally beneficial for those working in the NGO sector, international organizations, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge on violence prevention.

The online course will be:
• available free of charge in Polish,
• include interactive elements, quizzes, animations, and case studies,
• completed with a certificate of participation.

The course was developed in collaboration with CARE as part of a support project for CICs funded by CARE, titled Technical Support and Capacity Building for Local NGOs in the Management and Operation of Centers for the Integration of Foreigners (CIC) in Poland

One moment. An explosion. An accident. A deafening sound—then, silence. The image blurs and disappears.
War and sudden trauma change everything—including how we perceive the world. In Ukraine, and in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, more and more people are losing their sight or hearing as a result of war-related experiences, disasters, or accidents. And when the sirens fall silent and the dust settles, a different battle begins—the fight to regain a sense of safety and to rebuild a life from scratch.

This is where the Rebuilding Lives project comes in, implemented by the HumanDoc Foundation in cooperation with regional partners. We are creating a comprehensive support program that helps people who have suffered traumatic sensory loss return to everyday life—step by step. Not only through medical rehabilitation, but also through psychological, social, and vocational support.

Where do we start?

Our starting point is Ukraine—a country where the number of people facing sudden loss of sight and/or hearing is rising dramatically. In 2022, nearly 20,000 new cases of visual impairment were recorded. In just the first seven months of 2023, that number had already exceeded 19,000. It is estimated that around 1,000 soldiers lose their vision on the frontlines every year. The healthcare system is not equipped to meet these urgent and growing needs. There is a lack of trained professionals, coordinated care, and long-term support.

Our project addresses these challenges by developing and testing a training program for professionals who work daily with people affected by sudden sensory loss. We are building a network of psychologists, doctors, career counselors, and social workers who collaborate to provide integrated support—from psychological care and rehabilitation to social and occupational reintegration.

What makes our approach different?

Our model is holistic and trauma-informed—designed specifically for individuals who have gone through severe emotional experiences. We know that healing the body is not enough. People also need to rebuild their sense of safety, identity, and relationships. That’s why we place strong emphasis on psychological support, assistance for families, and long-term planning for both employment and social life.

We work with the Ukrainian Academy of Career Development, which accredits the program and will oversee its continued growth in the coming years. Importantly, the project is designed from the outset to be easily adaptable to other countries in the region facing similar challenges—because trauma knows no borders.

Who is participating in the pilot?

The program is being piloted in Ukraine with a group of people who have lost their sight or hearing—both soldiers and civilians. Their families are also involved in the project. Participants benefit from individual consultations, support groups, and tailored forms of psychosocial assistance. This allows us to continuously test and refine the tools that will later be applied more broadly across the region.

What are our goals?

• A comprehensive training program that combines medical, psychological, and social knowledge—ready to be implemented across Central and Eastern Europe.
• Improved competencies among professionals—hundreds of specialists equipped to respond effectively in crisis situations and provide integrated care to those affected.
• Direct support for participants—a measurable improvement in the well-being of those involved in the pilot, backed by hard data.
• A replicable model that can be applied wherever a crisis occurs—whether due to war, a natural disaster, or a mass accident.

Why HumanDoc?

For years, we’ve been combining work in mental health with social and educational initiatives. We run psychosocial support centers in both Poland and Ukraine, train professionals, and partner with organizations across Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. In 2018, one of our initiatives was awarded Project of the Year by the Visegrad Fund for its innovation and tangible impact.

Rebuilding Lives is the next step in building systems that not only respond to crises but give people a real chance to reclaim their lives—with dignity, agency, and hope.

DONORZY

PARTNERZY PROJEKTU

The impact of a flood doesn’t end when the water recedes. That’s why HumanDoc and the Biedronka Foundation have launched a joint support program for people still living in the shadow of the 2024 disaster.

Several months after the 2024 flood that devastated parts of southern Poland, hundreds of families still have nowhere to return. Their homes remain damp, their utilities are damaged, and temporary housing arrangements are becoming increasingly unsustainable. In these conditions, normal life remains out of reach. From the very beginning of the crisis, HumanDoc was present on the ground — not only delivering immediate aid but also working with a long-term recovery perspective.

As part of this continued support, HumanDoc has partnered with the Biedronka Foundation to assist those most affected by the disaster. The project provides 350 prepaid cards worth PLN 1,000 each, allowing for direct, flexible support to families from flood-stricken areas. The assistance is aimed at people whose living conditions prevent them from returning home and who urgently need help securing basic necessities.

The program is built on a straightforward but effective mechanism: the distribution of prepaid cards, empowering recipients to decide how to meet their own most pressing needs. This support reaches 350 individuals facing significant life disruptions. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution — it’s a way to restore dignity and agency during recovery.

The program is implemented through a network of local coordinators and a carefully structured qualification process. HumanDoc is responsible for the operational management and ongoing monitoring of impact, while the Biedronka Foundation provides funding and distribution support. The combination of these competencies ensures the response is timely, coordinated, and delivered with respect for those who have experienced trauma.

For years, HumanDoc has specialized in humanitarian interventions at the intersection of crisis response and social recovery. At the heart of this work is a consistent focus on people and their real, immediate needs. The partnership with the Biedronka Foundation strengthens this mission — and ensures our support continues where it’s needed most.

Partner

“Polska Costa” is a project that responds to the real needs of the Polish community living in southern Spain – the need for visibility, integration, and pride in one’s heritage. However, our efforts are not directed solely at the Polish diaspora. We want Polish culture to be present in public spaces, accessible and engaging also for Spaniards and the international community of Costa Blanca.

What’s the goal of the project?
First – to increase the visibility of Poland in the local cultural landscape.
Second – to strengthen the identity and integration of Polish communities abroad.
Third – to create lasting tools for cultural promotion that will continue to work even after the project ends.

That’s why we chose local, multilingual, and inclusive actions. Events that engage, not just inform.

We organized an interactive “Discover Poland” booth during the International Festival of Culture in Jávea – with activities for both children and adults, including crafts, quizzes, music, and tastings of Polish cuisine. We also distributed bilingual informational materials about Poland, its history, and modern-day culture. Our goal was to present a diverse and contemporary image of Poland – one rooted in tradition, yet open to the world.

In Santa Pola, we held an exhibition of Polish artists whose works reflected the experience of living in Spain. We showcased Polish sensitivity and curiosity about the world – in a space not typically associated with Polish culture. For many, it was their first direct encounter with art from Poland.

In autumn, we organized a family picnic to celebrate Polish Independence Day. It wasn’t an official ceremony, but a community celebration – with music, quizzes, activities for children, and local food. We wanted everyone – regardless of origin – to feel part of the community.

Complementing our offline efforts is the newspaper Polska Costa, which we publish in three languages: Polish, Spanish, and English. It covers everyday life, migration, local initiatives, and culture. We reach thousands of readers across the coast – in both print and online formats.

The results?
– Hundreds of people engaged in project activities
– Increased visibility of Poland in the region
– Stronger bonds within the local Polish community
– Promotional materials that will serve beyond the project’s timeline
– A network of partnerships with local institutions – from museums to neighborhood associations

“Polska Costa” is a project that works here and now – but also leaves a lasting mark. In relationships, in knowledge, in the sense of belonging.

The HumanDoc Foundation is implementing this project in collaboration with the local association HISPOLA and the newspaper “Polska Costa”. The initiative is co-financed as part of the Senate of the Republic of Poland’s support for the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad in 2025.

Violence is an egalitarian phenomenon—it can affect anyone, in any environment. However, there are certain groups or regions where the risk of experiencing violence is higher. This is particularly true for rural areas. This issue is not unique to Poland; a similar situation exists in other countries, including developed and affluent ones. The reasons lie in the socio-cultural conditions of rural communities: the weaker position of women, greater economic dependence on men, and the fact that the common definition of violence in rural areas differs from that in cities—much more has to happen before someone decides to react.

NIEobojętne is a project where women empower each other, build a support network, and discover their own strength. It is an initiative created for those who want to take action, inspire, and change the world around them. The project provides participants with tools for personal and social development, enabling them to fully utilize their potential.

Building a community of supportive women

NIEobojętne is not just about training sessions and workshops—it is a movement that connects women across Poland. Under the guidance of HumanDoc experts, participants develop skills that help them achieve their goals, organize initiatives, and become leaders of change in their communities. It is a space for sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and developing skills that contribute to building a stronger and more conscious society.

What does participation in the project offer?

✔ Personal and professional development – participants gain tools for effective action and the implementation of their initiatives.
✔ A network of support and collaboration  – they connect with other women who share their values and commitment.
✔ Expert knowledge  – they acquire insights into leadership, social action organization, and confidence building.
✔ Inspiration to act – they receive support in developing their ideas and creating real change.
✔ Assertiveness and voice empowerment training – they learn how to effectively communicate their needs and make bold decisions.
✔ Leadership and organizational skills  – they enhance abilities essential for leading local and social initiatives.
✔ Building mental resilience – they work on strengthening inner power and overcoming challenges.

The power of women changes reality

NIEobojętne is not a short-term project but a long-term movement empowering women. It is a space for growth, learning, and collaboration that provides the tools needed to take action and build stronger communities. Together, we create a world where every woman can feel confident and ready to face challenges.

NIEobojętne wspiera

NIEobojętne wspiera

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