Exploring Crisis Leadership Among Humanitarian Field Workers: A Case Study of the Private Relief Agency in Rwanda

Abstract

Crises are unpredictable in human life. At the global level, natural disasters, health issues, famine, wars, disastrous winds, landslides, and heavy rain always make the news. Rwanda as a country of a thousand hills become a prone zone of disasters. The current research focused on the role of crisis leadership management among humanitarian workers with a case study of the Private Relief Agency. As qualitative research, a face-to-face interview was conducted for data collection. Three participants were selected based on their duties and responsibilities, positions, and firsthand experience in managing crises. Research investigated the way workers behave in critical situations and related decision-making, and how team spirit and morale were enhanced and boosted during crisis times. Findings indicated that good leadership in crisis management focused on effective risk management, resource allocation, decision-making, effective communication, past acquired experiences during crisis times, and the emotional intelligence of the workers during crisis times. The findings proved to be essential for equipping leaders and strengthening workers with the required tools to achieve humanitarian goals. The research found that crisis leadership management is paramount to increasing the performance of the humanitarian workers in Rwanda. The research revealed that the leaders should be good at crisis leadership management and have skills on hand to counteract potential crises.