In a significant stride for cultural heritage preservation, the First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAC) handbook and toolkit, a widely read resource of ICCROM, has been translated into Ukrainian. Authored by Aparna Tandon, Senior Programme Leader at ICCROM, with contributions from heritage risk managers, conservators, architects and engineers, this critical resource helps to enhance risk reduction and emergency preparedness for all types of heritage.
It outlines widely applicable procedures and workflows for documenting, securing and stabilizing affected tangible and intangible heritage in the immediate aftermath of large-scale emergencies, which require coordination and cooperation with first responders, civil protection, and the army.
It has been brought to Ukrainian professionals and the local communities through the dedicated efforts of Ihor Poshyvailo, Director of the National Memorial to the Heavenly Hundred Heroes and Revolution of Dignity Museum (Maidan Museum) and Co-founder of the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative (HERI).
This comprehensive and field-tested resource, now accessible in 14 languages, offers critical guidance on safeguarding endangered cultural heritage during crises, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Referred to in the ISO standard for emergency preparedness and response and European methods and frameworks on disaster risk management, it is widely acclaimed for its inclusivity and respect for diversity.
The FAC handbook and toolkit, grounded in years of field-tested methodologies and experience from real-life crisis situations, offers comprehensive guidance on when and how to intervene to protect endangered heritage. With user-friendly illustrations and step-by-step workflows, it caters to many users, from heritage professionals and emergency responders to community members in crisis.
Within the disaster risk management framework, the handbook and toolkit outline steps for emergency preparedness and response for tangible and intangible heritage. They cover a broad spectrum of emergency procedures, including safe evacuation, documentation, transport, and temporary storage of valuable cultural collections.
“This translation is not just a linguistic achievement; it’s a strategic asset for heritage professionals, emergency responders, and civilians alike,” said Ihor Poshyvailo. “The handbook’s detailed illustrations and charts offer practical guidance that is crucial in crisis, helping users prioritize needs and plan actions even under challenging conditions.”
The Ukrainian Translation of the First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis Handbook and Toolkit is now available for free download. It is designed for all actors involved in emergencies, especially those living in risk-prone regions. It aims to enhance the ability of these communities to secure their heritage and participate in cultural recovery while also serving as a reference for trainers and a guide for coordinated first aid in the cultural heritage field.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ihor Poshyvailo and his entire team for his indispensable role in making this translation possible. Download the Ukrainian Translation of the FAC handbook and toolkit and share it widely to support cultural heritage preservation efforts worldwide.
ICCROM continues to invite voluntary and in-kind contributions for the translation of its publications, resources and toolkits for cultural heritage protection, furthering its mission to build resilience for cultural heritage worldwide.
- First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis - Toolkit | ICCROM
- First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis - Handbook | ICCROM
Read more about our initial action to safeguard Ukraine’s cultural heritage in 2022–2023:
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Translation of ICCROM-FAR emergency response resources into Ukrainian.
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Online training on post-event damage and risk assessment for cultural heritage.
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Development of a web and mobile-based application to facilitate data collection on damage and risk assessment.
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Joint technical mission with ICOMOS and ALIPH Foundation.
Development of a strategy for crisis response and heritage recovery in Ukraine based on findings from the joint technical mission.
Damage and risk assessment report to promote risk-informed cultural heritage first aid actions in Ukraine.