In today's dynamic work environment, maintaining a balance between productivity and mental well-being is essential. This was the main focus of the YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) Staff Meeting 2025, held on 18-20 February 2025 at the Disaster Oasis Training Centre in Yogyakarta. This meeting served as a platform for reflection and strategic planning to ensure the sustainability of programmes and the well-being of staff.
During the first two days, meeting participants engaged in various discussion sessions covering learning reflections and achievements in 2024, discussions on the 2025 Work Programme and Budget (PKA), and reports from the whistleblowing and safeguarding teams. Each division, including Disaster Oasis (DIOS) and Training, Finance, Human Resources, Programmes, and the Information and Communication Secretariat, presented reports on their achievements and evaluations from the previous year. Discussions were conducted openly with constructive feedback and suggestions. In addition, discussions on YEU's strategic policies for the coming year included updates on humanitarian trends, funding, partnerships, and priority strategies. Updates on Safeguarding & Protection were also presented in the whistleblowing team reporting session, as well as the presentation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) using the World Café method, which covered types of humanitarian assistance, communication and data protection strategies, project cycle guidelines, and financial and logistical SOPs.
On the second day, participants received guidance from Ms Arshinta, Director of the Community Health and Humanitarian Development Unit (PKMK) at YAKKUM, regarding priority strategies, and held discussions on organisational structure and employment policies in PKA 2025. The meeting resulted in various recommendations, including the establishment of a Whistleblowing Team and a Safeguarding Focal Point, as well as important input for each division in preparing their strategic plans for the coming year.
To conclude the series of activities, participants were invited to take part in a Forest Therapy session in the Sapuangin Merapi Forest. This activity was a valuable moment, considering the busy work routine that can cause work fatigue and a decline in mental health. In this session, participants were invited to do grounding to realise their existence and connect their energy with nature, as well as talk to their bodies to recognise the signs of fatigue that are often ignored. One of the most interesting moments was when they hugged trees, a unique experience that invited participants to feel the tranquillity and energy of nature. In addition, participants also underwent silence trekking, walking in silence to strengthen self-awareness, as well as mindful eating, which trained them to enjoy food with full awareness. The session was closed with manifesting, which is building positive affirmations for mental and emotional balance.
Through a combination of strategic discussions and well-being sessions, the YEU 2025 Staff Meeting was not only a forum for reflection and planning, but also served to strengthen the morale and mental health of the staff. As a result, they will be able to continue to contribute fully to the implementation of YEU's humanitarian vision and mission in the future.
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Author: Sita Pratitha – Information and Communications Officer