10 August 2022 | UNDSS Comms 

Yuqin Zhang is a Desk Officer based in New York supporting the Europe and Americas desk (EUA). The EUA desk covers 69 countries in the Europe and Americas and tasks include gathering, monitoring, and analyzing information, maintaining updated knowledge of events, and participating in fact-finding missions. Since the onset of the Ukraine crisis, Yuqin and colleagues at the desk have been supporting UNDSS’ emergency operation in the country. She recently returned from Ukraine, and we asked her to give us her account of being on the backend of supporting field teams during major operations. 

What is the desk’s role in the Ukraine response? 

We provide personnel and facilitate logistical support to the UNDSS responders on the ground, as well as keeping all relevant security and operational information flowing between the country office and the senior managers at the headquarters. Besides, we clarify different policies to the teams to ensure that the response is guided by the existing guidelines.   

 How did the Ukraine response operation shape up? 

We made in-depth preparation for evacuation and relocation before executing the plan. As soon as the evacuations and relocations were completed, we started facilitating the agencies to conduct humanitarian activities. This phase entailed conducting security risk assessments and assisting the humanitarian organization to conduct convoy operations. At the desk, we made sure that the humanitarian missions followed the policy and procedures, monitored these convoys from departure to arrival and kept the senior managers updated. For example, during critical missions like the evacuation at Avostal Steel Plant, the Security Operations Centre in Ukraine had to report to the desk hourly. 

How do you coordinate with other agencies? 

At the headquarters level, the Ukraine Crisis Communication Centre issues situation reports to all relevant colleagues in the United Nations Security Management System organizations to keep them informed.  Any issues brought to the desk by the agencies’ headquarters security focal points are addressed. At the country level, there is an active security cell in place. All agencies' security professionals are part of the cell. We apply the Saving Lives Together (SLT) Framework which enhances security collaboration between the United Nations, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and International Organizations. The CSA has appointed an SLT focal person who attends weekly meetings coordinated by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO). Through these meetings, SLT partner organizations exchange relevant security information to improve the safety and security of personnel and operations. During the evacuation/relocation phase of the emergency operation, some INGO/NGOs followed the UN convoys. I remember we had a very long convoy that spanned over 12 kilometers of vehicles. 

How is the Ukraine response different from the previous operations you have supported? 

In previous conflicts, the crisis is normally concentrated in one area, but the crisis in Ukraine is spread out in the entire country. The country shifted from an A to E duty station overnight. (A duty station assessed as E on the scale is described as a hardship area based on local conditions of safety and security, healthcare, and housing.) Additionally, at the start, the conflict was unfolding very fast making it difficult to establish the actual location of UN personnel on time. This challenge was further compounded by the self-relocation of local staff. 

 When was your most tense moment?  

The relocation phase of UN personnel and their dependents to safe areas gave me goosebumps. Ukraine is vast and with 23 UN agencies funds and programmes spread out in the entire country. The security situation was deteriorating fast with heavy air strikes and ground battle posing imminent threats to UN personnel. We monitored with bated breath anytime a convoy was on the move. In some cases, convoys had to change their direction based on unfolding situations. 

 How do you remain alert amid the high pressure from the operation? 

It is never easy especially when events are wide-scale and fluid. During the first month of the operation, all colleagues involved in this operation including myself had less time to sleep. However, we helped each other and made time off the computer screen to get some rest. 

 What is your most memorable moment of the operation to date? 

The evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol. UNDSS colleagues on the ground worked under very stressful situations compounded by long hours of driving. I will remember their dedication that made the operation successful. Separately, in a month, we mobilized around 30 surge officers and around two million dollars worth of equipment. It has never happened before where we deployed so many people and equipment to support an operation. All this is attributed to teamwork between UNDSS’ leadership, different regional desks, and country teams. 

 What are some of the lessons you have learned?  

Planning is very critical. We should have good contingency plans in place and conduct simulation exercises to refine and strengthen the plans. Also, keeping an accurate staff list is essential, early involvement of the Executive Office, dedicated communication/liaison person for information sharing during a major crisis, and many others. After the conclusion of the operation, we will conduct a lesson learned and best practices exercise. 

Through the Ukraine responders' series, we will highlight stories of UNDSS staff supporting the emergency response.