Introduction

Humanitarian access and security are critical components of any emergency response. In conflict zones, areas with unstable governments, or regions affected by natural disasters, humanitarian workers often face significant challenges in gaining access to vulnerable populations while maintaining safety. This course provides the essential knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of humanitarian access and security management in volatile environments. Participants will explore strategies for securing access, understanding security threats, and developing effective risk management plans to protect both personnel and beneficiaries.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the key principles and frameworks related to humanitarian access and security
• Identify and assess the main security threats faced by humanitarian actors, including armed conflict, political instability, and natural disasters
• Learn how to negotiate access with stakeholders, such as governments, armed groups, and local communities
• Develop security management plans that address physical, operational, and communication security for both field staff and assets
• Implement effective security measures in line with international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and humanitarian principles
• Design and conduct risk assessments and security plans that enable safe and effective humanitarian operations
• Understand crisis response and evacuation protocols, including contingency planning for security incidents

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Humanitarian field workers, including security managers, program managers, and logistics staff
• NGO staff and humanitarian organizations operating in high-risk environments
• Government officials and security forces involved in humanitarian access negotiations and coordination
• UN agencies and international organizations engaged in humanitarian relief operations
• Private sector contractors working on logistical support and security services for humanitarian missions
• Donors and funding agencies interested in understanding security aspects of humanitarian programming

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Humanitarian Access and Security

📌 Key Topics:

• Defining Humanitarian Access: Key concepts and principles for access negotiation and humanitarian space
• The Challenges of Humanitarian Access: Understanding blockages to access, such as armed conflict, political resistance, logistical barriers, and bureaucratic impediments
• Humanitarian Security Landscape: Types of security risks, including direct threats, indirect threats, and environmental hazards
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL): Overview of IHL principles that govern humanitarian action, including the Geneva Conventions and the guiding principles of humanitarian action

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Case Study: Analysis of Sudan, Syria, or Yemen — reviewing key challenges and strategies to overcome access restrictions and security risks

Day 2: Security Risks and Threats in Humanitarian Operations

📌 Key Topics:

• Types of Security Threats: Understanding armed conflict, criminal violence, kidnapping, terrorism, and natural disasters as threats to humanitarian access and security
• Threat Actors: Assessing risks from state actors, non-state armed groups, criminal organizations, and local militias
• Country and Context Analysis: How to assess security dynamics at local, national, and regional levels
• Personal Security: Ensuring personal safety and well-being of humanitarian workers in dangerous contexts, including psychological well-being and stress management

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Threat Assessment Exercise: Participants will conduct a security threat analysis for a given humanitarian operation in a high-risk environment, identifying key actors and risks

Day 3: Negotiating Access and Security Arrangements

📌 Key Topics:

• Access Negotiation Principles: Strategies for gaining humanitarian access with governments, armed groups, and local communities
• Humanitarian Diplomacy: Understanding the role of diplomatic engagement and negotiation skills to secure safe access
• Dealing with Denied Access: Methods to overcome bureaucratic obstacles, including customs barriers, visa issues, and permit requirements
• Security Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs): How to draft and enforce MOUs with stakeholders, ensuring both access and protection

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Role-Playing Exercise: Participants will simulate a negotiation for access with an armed group or a government authority in a conflict zone, utilizing diplomacy and humanitarian principles

Day 4: Security Management Planning

📌 Key Topics:

• Security Risk Management (SRM): Understanding the SRM framework and its application in humanitarian operations
• Security Management Plans (SMPs): Designing an SMP to assess and mitigate risks, including evacuation plans, medical evacuation, and communications protocols
• Risk Assessment Tools: How to conduct context-specific risk assessments, including threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, and capacity analysis
• Security Training for Field Staff: How to train humanitarian staff in security protocols, situational awareness, and emergency response

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Security Planning Workshop: Participants will create a comprehensive security management plan for a simulated humanitarian response in a high-risk region, covering security protocols, evacuation routes, and staff responsibilities

Day 5: Crisis Response, Contingency Planning, and Post-Incident Protocols

📌 Key Topics:

• Crisis Management and Response: Crisis response protocols in the event of an incident (e.g., kidnapping, attack, or natural disaster)
• Contingency Planning: How to develop and implement contingency plans for evacuation, hostage situations, and medical emergencies
• Post-Incident Analysis: Conducting a post-incident review to improve security procedures and ensure staff resilience
• Resilience and Duty of Care: Providing psychosocial support and ensuring the well-being of staff during and after a crisis

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Crisis Simulation: Participants will be placed in a crisis scenario (e.g., security breach or evacuation), where they must implement their security management and crisis response protocols

Conclusion & Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate in Humanitarian Access and Security, demonstrating their capability to manage security risks, ensure humanitarian access, and design comprehensive security management plans in high-risk environments.