Archives in Emergencies: Valuable Response Experience

The purpose of the article is to analyze the experience of response of archival institutions to emergency situations caused by natural and man-made disasters, threats and consequences of hostilities through the prism of historical retrospect and modern challenges of russia's war against Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is the application of the principles of historicism, integrity, structure, systemic, interdisciplinary and socio-cultural approaches. The use of methods of comparative analysis and synthesis is due to the need to compare approaches to responding to emergency situations in different regions and to identify common and distinctive features in overcoming them. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that the approaches and experience of responding to emergency situations regarding documentary heritage are analyzed in historical retrospective and in the international context. It also highlights the identification of the features of measures and action plans developed by the International Council on Archives, the National Archives and Records Administration, the State Archival Service of Ukraine. Additionally, it proposes directions for further enhancing educational programs and training for Ukrainian archivists, taking into account foreign, in particular American experience. Conclusions. In times of war, natural and man-made disasters, preliminary preparation for emergency situations in the field of cultural heritage, development of priority response plans taking into account international experience, unification of management structures at the national and local levels, the military, cultural figures, scientists, are of great importance. The role of archives and archivists in the processes of consolidation of Ukrainian society during the war is extremely significant, as they ensure not only the preservation and protection of documentary heritage, but also actively influence the formation and preservation of collective memory and national identity.