Archive:
Abduction of aid workers has risen sharply in particular contexts in the past decade. Abduction is a “unique form of critical incident”, characterised by its ongoing, “live” nature, often extended duration, the pressure of decision-making and uncertainty. Though the essential…
No matter how good the risk management system, aid workers operate in areas where risk of critical incidents cannot be eliminated. And thus agencies must form and constantly seek to update and strengthen robust crisis response mechanisms, from incident reporting processes through…
Shaun Bickley through Safety First (2010) provides useful reminders and easy-reference chapters to be consulted as safety and security issues arise. Not only is this book essential reading for staff about to take up their first field positions, it should…
This report provides an index of various initiatives related to safety and security of aid agencies and their staff. The purpose of this report is to inform readers of the projects themselves, who is responsible for or participating in each…
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…
Remote Programming Modalities in Somalia. Discussion Paper Drafted by Oxfam International and Merlin for NGO Consortium (January 2009).
This report by Paul McPhun and Elena Lucchi (2008) states that “there is now a growing international awareness that urbanization is becoming untenable, representing in some contexts a crisis that far outweighs the impact of ongoing conflict in remaining regions…
Through her article called “Regional shortcomings and global solutions: Kidnap, ransom and insurance in Latin America” (2008), Samantha Kenney explores the problematic links between insurance companies and the fact that the relatives of a kidnapped person can pay the ransom…
The primary purpose of these guidelines (2007) by the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) is to enable humanitarian actors and communities to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial…
The ECHO Security Training Modules (2006) familiarise aid workers with essential concepts relating to security and provide a foundation for operating in insecure environments by exploring individual and agency responsibilities with regards to security procedures, policies and approaches. The security…