In light of the attacks against the United Nations in both Peshawar and Kabul in autumn 2009, the UN has decided to “harden” itself as a target, using a protection-based strategy to reduce the vulnerability of its staff.  But to what degree will this simply transfer risk to NGOs, who do not have similar resources available, and who regardless rely on acceptance-based strategies?  And would greater cooperation of NGOs with the UN via the Saving Lives Together framework compromise NGO acceptance strategies by creating a perception of them by local communities and armed actors as a part of the UN’s democratisation agenda?