Have you met CARE’s Rapid Response Team (RRT)? They’re a group of senior humanitarian response experts who can be deployed anywhere in the world within 72 hours to support CARE’s emergency response efforts.

We know what they do as a group, but who are the people that make up the RRT? What does their day-to-day look like when they’re on deployment, and when they’re not? What inspires them to do this challenging work? In our Rapid Response Team profile series, we’ll find out the answers to these and other questions.

Meet Jérémie Antoine, a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) specialist with the RRT.

Why did you join CARE’s Rapid Response Team? 

I was looking for a home-based position to be with my partner to be able to raise our daughter. At the same time, I didn’t want to lose direct contact with the work on the ground.

How does the RRT help in times of crisis?  

The RRT is crucial as we are usually the first to organize a crisis response. RRT members have tremendous experience in lots of different areas and contexts and with different partners, which allows us to be flexible and adapt to unpredictable situations.

What are some of the responsibilities of your day-to-day? 

I provide both remote and physical support to different CARE offices around the world.

Remote support would be things like providing technical expertise via email, video chat or on the phone, supporting with proposal development to fund emergency WASH work, networking, working to train local staff, coaching/mentoring, information management and staff recruitment. I find remote support to be more challenging because you’re not on the ground with the people.

When I’m physically deployed somewhere, I also provide the same kind of technical expertise as I would virtually. I often go on field visits to provide recommendations on how to improve water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and practices. I might help with program follow-up, proposal development, networking and the same things I would help with remotely as well.

I also specialize in market-based programming for WASH in emergencies. This means that we use market analysis to determine how to supply water, sanitation and hygiene support to best meet existing needs. Often in an emergency, water sources and systems are impacted, which not only means people don’t have water to drink or clean themselves with, but that the water that is available can easily become contaminated and make people sick. Essential hygiene supplies may also not be available and even if they are, people might not have access to them in a crisis. Using a market-based approach means we take all of this into consideration so that communities can be prepared for emergencies now and in the future.

What does deployment look like?

It really depends on the needs of the specific CARE office and of the people they’re supporting. After an earthquake for example, it might be setting up emergency water points or handwashing stations. It could be delivering specific training for local staff and volunteers, or it could be just a field visit to monitor WASH activities from a project.

What about your work energizes you most? What is your favourite part of your work?

My favourite part is definitely meeting new people and understanding their needs according to their culture and exchanging experiences.

How does being part of the RRT impact your life?  

It’s not easy to balance family time with deployment, especially when you have a little one and your partner is also working in the same sector.

What is one quality or characteristic that you think all RRT members should have? 

I think anyone working in emergency response should be highly adaptable and flexible. And have a great sense of humour!

Do you have one memorable moment to share with us about a time you realized the impact of your work?  

The last WASH training that I delivered in Madagascar in July of 2023 was very impactful. I was surprised how well-received the training was. This is always very rewarding.