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Glossary English

The Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) developed this Glossary to facilitate a common understanding of terms frequently used in security risk management.

The terms and definitions have been drawn from a range of trusted resources, including GISF’s own publications. They have also been informed by a working group of GISF members.

The GISF Glossary is available in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic. The site has been designed to enable easy navigation between terms in each language, supporting more consistent and accurate communication across language barriers.

The GISF Glossary is reviewed and updated regularly, to reflect new terms and changing definitions within the security risk management sector. If you have a term you would like to add to the Glossary or a suggested amendment, please contact us through our feedback form.

M

marginalisation

A process and state of social exclusion that prevents individuals or groups from participating fully in social, economic, and political life and from asserting their rights. This exclusion can be structural, visible, or invisible, intentional, or unintentional. This should be considered when adopting a person-centred approach to security.
Related terms: exclusion
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medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)

Medical evacuation refers to the movement of a sick/injured person by specialist medical transport (ambulance or air ambulance) with trained medical staff on-board so that care can be administered on route. Medical evacuations are often used to transfer a person between medical facilities, either within the country or internationally.
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