Volunteers in Crisis: Youth-Led Action When It Matters Most

Highlights

• Nearly 3,000 youth volunteers mobilized through Sharek’s network
• Tamayyaz youth groups were active from the second day of the 2023 war
• Support delivered across shelters, distribution points, and community spaces

Sharek Youth Forum’s strength lies in its dedicated volunteer network—young people who are not only participants in Sharek’s programmes, but also first responders within their own communities. Our approach is grounded in a clear principle: youth leadership is not a slogan. It is a practice that we invest in and apply—especially during emergencies.

This was clearly demonstrated during the 2023 war, when Sharek’s Tamayyaz youth groups mobilized from the second day and supported community-based humanitarian responses in multiple locations. Through the skills, values, and teamwork developed in Sharek’s training programmes, youth were able to act quickly, organize effectively, and contribute in ways that protected dignity and strengthened community resilience.

What Youth Delivered on the Ground

Through trained volunteers and youth teams, Sharek supported a range of crisis-response interventions, including:

• Awareness sessions and community outreach
• Distribution of hygiene and food parcels
• Preparation and distribution of meals for families and shelters
• Psychosocial support activities and group sessions
• Youth-led initiatives to support displacement shelters, helping improve conditions and prepare spaces for displaced families as much as possible

These interventions were implemented across shelters, community centers, and distribution points—ensuring support reached people efficiently and with care.

Building Youth Capacity for Emergency Response

To further strengthen youth readiness in crises, Sharek—supported by UNFPA and the Education Above All Foundation—developed a Pocket Guide for Youth on Humanitarian Assistance and Volunteering in Crises. The guide provides practical, accessible tools that help young volunteers respond more safely and effectively during emergencies.

Through continuous training, guidance, and engagement, Sharek ensures that young people are not only supported through programmes—but are also empowered to lead, respond, and serve when their communities need them most.