I have done my first HEFAT in 2009, but back then taking pictures was
forbidden so I am happy that this time I can share a little insight and
urge all freelancers to find the way to do this (There is a number of
organisations, aside from IWMF that can help you do it if you have no
financial means to pay it yourself, just to give you a couple of examples,
check out RISC and Rory Peck Trust

When I was practicing first aid back in 2009, I already had some reporting
in Chechnya and the very short Russo-Georgian conflict over South Ossetia,
but when I am looking back at this experience now, I can’t help but think
that it still did look more like a funny game. Now, as I was looking at the
pictures of various wounds on the screen, I couldn’t help but think of all
these journalists who have died in the last years. Wounds somehow got
faces. May be even faces of people I knew and admired.

But Congolese journalists, for whom the war is not an adventure outside of
their country, but part of the daily routine, were truly enjoying that for
once the blood was fake and all was a game in a beautiful park.

A game that can potentially help you save some lives.

That said, find a way to do a HEFAT if you haven’t done one. We are off
reporting tomorrow.

Posted by Olga Kravets