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.
Supported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and drawing on the Reuters news service, this website features introductory briefs on humanitarian crises classified both geographically and topically.
This British government website lists travelers' security advisories by country, as well as a wide variety of general information and advice for travelers.
This U.S. government website lists current travel advisories from the State Department. Other areas of the site include more general travel advice geared toward U.S. citizens going abroad, as well as Consular Information Sheets about each country in the world.
Travel Warningswebsite Canadian Government's Consular Affairs
The Consular Affairs arm of Canada's Foreign Affairs office issues travel warnings and offers advice on basic travel precautions. The site also features detailed Travel Reports on each country.
This UN-affiliated website provides continuous updates on security issues and emergencies. Use the map under "Countries and Emergencies" to browse, or click the tab for "Latest Updates". You can also use the search field to search specific criteria.
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. Also see their discussion of security for local people.
This nonprofit organization works as a consultancy and runs safety and security courses for field staff as well as managers and headquarters staff. Their site also features many security-related reports in its resources section.
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 Program is designed to address the needs of NGOs operating in insecure environments. Also search for security trainings through other RedR chapter websites.
ICRC's detailed guidebook on safety and security in the field. The link above opens a PDF; note that the book can also be purchased in hard copy (see link in this page's print resources section).
CARE's security and safety manual assembles the best available information on how to work safely in today's humanitarian environment, and discusses policies, assessments, planning, and fundamental safety and security procedures.
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.
This short article from 2008 reports on the increasingly common phenomenon of aid workers being targeted by violent groups.
Print resources
Engineering in Emergencies: A Practical Guide for Relief Workersbook Davis, J. and Lambert, R. (2002), Red R. (ITDG Publishing and RedR-Engineers for Disaster Relief, London)
Detailed guidebook from RedR on safety and security in the field.
Safety First: Protecting NGO Employees Who Work in Areas of Conflictbook Cutts, M. and Dingle, A. (1995), (Save the Children, London)
Save the Children's detailed guidebook on safety and security in the field.
ICRC's detailed guidebook on safety and security in the field. The link above leads to purchase options; note that the book can also be downloaded as a free PDF (see link in this page's online resources section).
