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Safety and Security
Online Resources | Print Resources
Humanitarian work has always had a relatively high level of risk, but in recent years this risk has increased significantly. This has to do with an overall increase in the number of humanitarian workers as well as the fact that many humanitarian organizations now deploy high numbers of staff to front line conflict zones. That said, even low conflict environments have high degrees of risk, and research indicates that regardless of where humanitarian workers are located, the exposure to life-threatening events remains about the same. As humanitarian work moves out of the safety net of neutrality into a more polarized world, security risks to individual workers increase.
There is a clear connection between psychological stress and security. Many of the factors that contribute to increased levels of stress and trauma are related to security and safety. Where personal security is enhanced, personal trauma may be reduced. Conversely, where stress levels are high, the ability to maintain security decreases, placing severe risks on individuals and programs. Highly stressed people tend not to make good decisions, and bad decisions result in poor security.
Ultimately, individual humanitarian workers are responsible for their own safety and security. Organizational efforts to enhance security are only as successful as the workers' own knowledge of, and commitment to, the maintenance of personal security. Personal security is maintained through a combination of knowledge, experience, and behavior.
Knowledge can be obtained through the resources listed on this site. It can also be found in security training programs offered to humanitarian workers and agencies, and in the experiences of colleagues and friends. The basic rules of knowledge are: know as much as you can about your deployment location; know as much as you can about the risks in that location; know your own levels of stress and health; and, know how to respond to the possible security threats in that location. Behavior is the application of knowledge in an appropriate fashion for a specific environment. Experience can only come with time, practice, and success. Your safety depends in large part on how well you manage these three factors before and during your deployment.
Online Resources
Travel Advisory, UK Government WebsiteThe British government lists travel security advisories and provides access to similar websites of key allied governments. The list of links the UK government provides are: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the US. This website also provides general travel tips.
Security information, Relief Web
This website also has a search function by keyword - including "security."
International Incident Reports, Center for International Disaster Information Current information is provided on this website about security in particular regions.
Aid Workers Network
This is a comprehensive website, with a number of online forums. There is also a section on safety and security that addresses personal safety, equipment security, security of a facility or compound, vehicle and convoy security, and information management.
RedR's Security Training, RedR
Field Staff are frequently required to work in extremely insecure situations. A practical way of improving security is through carefully designed and targeted staff training. In addition to improving safety and security, such training can contribute significantly to the effectiveness of humanitarian relief operations. The RedR Security Training Programme is designed to address the needs of NGO's operating in insecure environments.
Expat Exchange This website lists US Dept of travel warnings.
Humanitarian Practice Network This comprehensive website has articles and resources with a search function by keyword - including "security."
Security in the Field, United Nations This is the U.N.'s detailed guidebook on safety and security.
Rape Response Handbook, Peace Corps Contains a wealth of useful information on rape.
Aid workers in Iraq, Afghanistan try to withstand stress from burnout, violence, Chicago Tribune Public health officials, including doctors at the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, are just beginning to address the mental health problems faced by aid workers. In the wake of recent attacks on workers in Afghanistan and Iraq, there is a growing need for support services in the field - and when workers return home.
Print Resources
Engineering in Emergencies: A Practical Guide for Relief Workers, Red R Detailed guidebook from RedR on safety and security in the field
Davis, J. & Lambert, R. (2002). Engineering in Emergencies: A practical guide for relief workers. (ITDG Publishing and RedR-Engineers for Disaster Relief, London).
Safety First: Protecting NGO employees who work in areas of conflict, Save The Children Save the Children's detailed guidebook on safety and security in the field.
Cutts, M., & Dingle, A. (1995). Safety first: Protecting NGO employees who work in areas of conflict. (Save the Children, London)
Staying Alive, International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC's detailed guidebook on safety and security in the field Roberts, D.L. (1999). Staying alive (International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva)
The Humanitarian Companion, John Ehrenreich. Chapter 2 of this guide is devoted to safety and security in the field.
Ehrenreich, J. (2004). The Humanitarian Companion. London: ITDG Publishing
World Vision security manual Rogers, C., & Sytsma, B. (1999). World Vision security manual (World Vision, Geneva).
All photos © Karl Grobl
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