Zimbabwe is facing an imminent crisis that will require an international humanitarian response in the near to medium-term future, with appropriate security measures for humanitarian workers. Former GISF Coordinator, Nick Hanson-James, takes a closer look at the Zimbabwean context and issues NGOs should aim to be aware of and prepared for given the current climate in the country.
A report on duty of care in Spain has recently been developed and reviews how duty of care should be approached by Spanish entities that have staff working abroad. The document analyses how Spanish national labour laws should be applied, taking into account the sector’s good practices. This report is in Spanish.
NGOs have repeatedly raised concerns about the consequences of counter-terrorism legislation on their ability to deliver critical humanitarian aid. In order to assist the NGO community, a number of bodies are seeking case studies and examples to provide an evidence base to illustrate these concerns. GISF are currently seeking examples from INGOs about the impact that this legislation has had on humanitarian aid work, particularly on the security of aid workers and programmes (including beneficiaries).
This global survey of humanitarian workers will be used to help understand the effectiveness of organisational safety provision in the sector. Complete this short survey and to pass it on to colleagues to do the same by 10 February.
GISF is seeking information from NGOs on the technology they use to share security-related information with staff, particularly those that use online systems. This input will be used to inform an article summarising these technologies to be published in the GISF Communications Technology Hub. If your organisation is willing to share their experiences, please get in contact with Adelicia (eisf-research@eisf.helpful.ws).
In November, GISF attended a two-part expert roundtable at Chatham House that discussed the challenges NGOs face when working with non-state armed groups, in particular given the impact of counter-terrorism legislation. This is a brief summary of the key points raised and some of the implications counter-terrorism legislation has on the security risk management of NGOs.
This post discusses Larissa Fast’s book ‘Aid in Danger’ and how some of the ideas in the book can be applied to humanitarian security risk management. In her blog, Christina Wille, primarily argues that the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence are not a magic shield capable of protecting aid workers because humanitarian agencies are actors within and not separate from the contexts in which they work. Wille also argues that security incidents are not only the result of external factors affecting humanitarian agencies but that factors resulting from internal agency policy and staff behaviour also impact aid worker security. Good security risk management means taking into consideration internal factors as well as external ones.
If you are attending the Forum and would like a hard copy of a specific GISF guide or paper, please let Adelicia know at eisf-research@eisf.helpful.ws.
The GISF is pleased to share the preliminary agenda for the next GISF Forum taking place in September, 2016.
GISF, InterHealth Worldwide and International Location Safety have an exhibition stand at WHS, focused on initiatives to improve aid worker security and wellbeing. If you are going to the Summit we would love to see you there - we are at Stand 37 in B5 of the Lutfi Kirdar International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Don't forget to tweet to us via @GISF1 using #AidSecurity and #protectaidworkers.