Reading time: 9 minutes
Introduction
You've just landed your first mission.
MSF. ICRC. ACF. Whatever the organisation.
You're on cloud nine.
In 6 weeks, you leave. Briefing. Vaccines. Suitcase. Flight.
And then… the field.
That's where everything shifts.
Because what you imagined for months looks nothing like what you are about to live through.
First-timers always make the same mistakes.
Not because they're incompetent. Not because they lack motivation.
But because they arrive with beliefs that don't hold up against reality.
These mistakes come at a high cost.
They lead to burnout. To early return. To disillusionment.
For 30 years, I watched these mistakes repeat themselves. Over and over again.
After reading this article, you will know exactly what to avoid in order to hold up in the field.
MISTAKE 1: Arriving With a Saviour Complex
The belief
"I'm finally going to do something useful. Change things. Really help."
The reality
You are not going to save anything at all.
You are going to make a modest contribution, within a complex system, with limited means, and results that are often invisible.
Concrete example:
Marie, 26, nurse. First mission in South Sudan.
She arrives with the idea that she is going to "save lives."
Week one: she spends her time doing administrative paperwork.
Week two: she has to refuse care to patients because the MSF protocol doesn't cover them.
Week three: a patient she has been treating for 10 days dies from a complication she couldn't anticipate.
After one month, she is broken. "I'm useless."
Why this is a fatal mistake:
Because the saviour complex puts you in a position of omnipotence. And when reality catches up with you, you fall apart.
What to do instead:
— Arrive with humility: you are one link in a chain — Accept that your impact will be limited — Measure your success in small victories, not grand transformations
The phrase to remember:
"I'm not here to save. I'm here to contribute."
MISTAKE 2: Neglecting Your Mental Health From the Start
The belief
"I'm resilient. I'll hold up. I don't need help."
The reality
Everyone cracks. Even the most resilient.
Concrete example:
Thomas, 32, MSF logistician. First mission in the DRC.
He arrives motivated, full of energy. He works 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
After 2 months: sleep disturbances.
After 3 months: irritability, conflicts with colleagues.
After 4 months: panic attack in the middle of the night. Medical evacuation.
Why this is a fatal mistake:
Because the field wears you down progressively. And if you don't take care of yourself from the start, you blow up mid-flight.
Warning signs to watch for:
— Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares) — Unusual irritability — Loss of appetite or compulsive eating — Increasing alcohol consumption — Social withdrawal (staying alone in your room) — Loss of meaning ("what's the point?")
What to do instead:
From the very first week:
Establish a self-care routine — Sleep: 7–8 hours minimum, no matter what — Food: 3 meals a day, even if the canteen is bad — Physical activity: 30 minutes a day (walking, running, yoga)
Create outlets — An activity that restores you (reading, cooking, gardening, music) — Time alone each day (even 15 minutes) — Moments of complete disconnection from work
Talk — Identify 2–3 people you trust in the field (colleagues, peers) — Call your family and friends regularly — Don't hesitate to seek psychological support (MSF and ICRC both have provisions for this)
The phrase to remember:
"Taking care of myself is not selfishness. It's a condition for lasting."
MISTAKE 3: Wanting to Control Everything
The belief
"If I plan well, if I organise properly, everything will be fine."
The reality
Nothing ever goes as planned. Ever.
Concrete example:
Sophie, 29, WASH project coordinator (water, sanitation, hygiene). First mission in Haiti.
She has prepared everything: detailed schedule, optimised budget, clear protocols.
Week 1: the main supplier doesn't deliver. No explanation.
Week 2: two members of the local team resign without notice.
Week 3: a tropical storm destroys part of the equipment.
Week 4: the donor requests a complete redesign of the project.
Sophie spends her days rewriting her plans. She stops sleeping. She cries every evening.
Why this is a fatal mistake:
Because wanting to control everything in an uncontrollable environment is the perfect recipe for burnout.
What to do instead:
Adopt a posture of continuous adaptation: — Plan, but let go — Make a Plan A — Have a Plan B and C ready — Accept that things will probably not go as expected
Develop your tolerance for ambiguity — Practice meditation (yes, really) — Repeat to yourself: "I don't control everything. And that's OK."
Celebrate small victories — You managed to get 50% of the supplies delivered? Victory. — The team made it through a week without conflict? Victory.
The phrase to remember:
"My value is not measured by my ability to control, but by my ability to adapt."
MISTAKE 4: Isolating Yourself Instead of Building Connections
The belief
"I came to work, not to socialise."
The reality
In the field, your colleagues are your lifeline.
Concrete example:
Lucas, 34, doctor. First mission in Afghanistan.
He retreats to his room the moment work is done. He eats alone. He takes no part in any collective activity.
After 2 months, he feels completely isolated. He speaks to nobody about his difficulties.
He lasts 4 months, then requests an early repatriation.
Why this is a fatal mistake:
Because isolation amplifies every difficulty. And in the field, you NEED other people.
What to do instead:
From the first days: — Take part in collective life — Have dinner with others (even when you're exhausted) — Join weekend activities (hiking, cooking, games) — Suggest organising something (film night, cooking workshop, etc.)
Identify your allies — Find 2–3 people you feel comfortable with — Create informal moments with them (coffee, a walk)
Talk about your difficulties — Don't stay alone with your struggles — Put it into words: "This is hard right now. I need to talk about it."
The phrase to remember:
"In the field, I don't survive alone. I survive with others."
MISTAKE 5: Ignoring the Signals Your Body Sends
The belief
"I'm young, I'm fit. I'll hold up."
The reality
The field wears your body down. Fast.
Concrete example:
Émilie, 27, midwife. First mission in Yemen.
She neglects: — Her sleep (5–6 hours a night) — Her nutrition (skips meals, eats anything) — Basic hygiene (doesn't wash her hands systematically)
After 6 weeks: severe intestinal infection.
After 8 weeks: total exhaustion. She falls ill every two weeks.
After 3 months: medical evacuation.
Why this is a fatal mistake:
Because your body is your working tool. If it gives out, you go home.
What to do instead:
From day 1:
Strict hygiene — Handwashing: systematic, obsessive — Water: filtered or boiled only — Food: absolute caution (no raw vegetables, peel all fruit)
Non-negotiable sleep — 7–8 hours a night, ALWAYS — Even if you have work to do, sleep first
Proper nutrition — 3 meals a day, even if the canteen is grim — Hydration: 2–3 litres of water a day (hot climate)
Physical activity — 30 minutes a day minimum (walking, running, yoga) — It helps manage stress AND stay in shape
Regular check-ups — See the mission doctor at the first sign of any symptom — Don't let anything drag on
The phrase to remember:
"My body is my working tool. If I don't respect it, I go home."
Conclusion: How to Avoid These 5 Mistakes?
Before leaving:
✅ Clarify your motivations (why am I really leaving?)
✅ Prepare yourself mentally (BIVOUAC™ l'Odyssée)
✅ Learn stress management techniques (Positive Intelligence®)
In the field:
✅ Establish a self-care routine from day 1
✅ Build connections with your colleagues
✅ Accept the unexpected and let go of control
✅ Respect your body (sleep, hygiene, nutrition)
✅ Speak up as soon as things become difficult
On your return:
✅ Debrief with a professional
✅ Take time to integrate the experience
✅ Reconnect progressively with your life before
A humanitarian mission is not a sprint. It's a marathon.
And to last, you need to manage your pace, listen to your body, and ask for help.
Are you leaving on your first mission soon?
Discover BIVOUAC™ l'Odyssée: 9 months to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and strategically.
Discover BIVOUAC™ l'Odyssée →
✍️ Clémentine Olivier
Humanitarian Coach | 30 years MSF & ICRC