Introduction

Humanitarian staff often operate in volatile, high-risk environments where the safety and security of personnel can be at risk due to factors such as conflict, natural disasters, political instability, and health crises. Ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian workers is a fundamental responsibility of organizations, but it requires a proactive approach, comprehensive planning, and the development of security-sensitive practices. This 5-day training course will focus on equipping participants with the tools to manage security risks, develop robust security management systems, and adopt personal safety strategies while working in hostile or challenging settings. Through scenario-based learning and expert-led discussions, participants will be prepared to mitigate security risks and respond effectively to crises when they arise.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Understand the Key Principles of Humanitarian Security: Learn the fundamental principles of humanitarian staff safety and security, including risk management, duty of care, and the humanitarian imperative.
2. Develop a Security Risk Management Framework: Gain the skills to assess, analyze, and manage security risks in humanitarian operations.
3. Implement Effective Security Systems and Procedures: Learn how to establish and enforce security policies, protocols, and procedures to ensure staff safety.
4. Enhance Personal Safety Skills: Equip staff with the tools and techniques to protect themselves and others during high-risk situations, including situational awareness, self-defense, and emergency response strategies.
5. Manage Crisis Situations and Incident Response: Learn how to prepare for and manage security incidents, from medical evacuations to kidnapping and natural disasters.
6. Understand the Role of Technology in Enhancing Security: Explore the use of communication tools, data protection systems, and digital security strategies for humanitarian staff.
7. Develop a Culture of Safety within the Organization: Foster a security-conscious culture across the organization, ensuring all staff understand their role in maintaining safety and security.
8. Build Partnerships with Local Authorities and Security Providers: Learn how to collaborate with local actors, such as government officials, local communities, and private security firms, to enhance security efforts.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Humanitarian Field Staff (e.g., coordinators, project managers, and team leaders) operating in high-risk environments.
• Security Focal Points and Safety Officers responsible for developing and implementing safety protocols in humanitarian operations.
• Country Managers and Operations Managers overseeing humanitarian responses in conflict zones or fragile states.
• Humanitarian Aid Workers (NGO, IGO staff) seeking to improve personal safety awareness and security management skills.
• Security and Risk Management Professionals working in the humanitarian sector.
• Human Resources Managers who need to understand how to address safety and security issues in recruitment and personnel management.
• Policy Makers and Government Representatives involved in supporting humanitarian programs and ensuring safety during operations.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Humanitarian Security and Risk Management

• Morning Session: Understanding Humanitarian Security
  • The context of humanitarian operations: Challenges, risks, and threats in conflict, natural disasters, and health emergencies.
  • The principles of humanitarian access and humanitarian protection in complex emergencies.
  • Defining duty of care and the ethical responsibility of humanitarian organizations to ensure the safety of their staff.
  • Security as a critical enabler of humanitarian assistance: How security impacts program delivery and the well-being of beneficiaries.
  • Case study: Security lessons learned from Syria, South Sudan, or Yemen.
• Afternoon Session: Risk Management and Analysis
  • Introduction to security risk management (SRM) in humanitarian settings: Key concepts and strategies.
  • Conducting threat assessments: Identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing risks (physical, psychological, reputational).
  • Security risk analysis tools: Understanding how to evaluate the likelihood and impact of threats.
  • Building a risk matrix: Categorizing and addressing risks by likelihood and severity.
  • Group exercise: Risk assessment and analysis for a humanitarian response in a volatile environment.

Day 2: Security Systems and Procedures

• Morning Session: Developing Security Policies and Protocols
  • Designing and implementing security management systems for humanitarian operations.
  • Establishing clear security protocols: Travel security, communication procedures, and emergency evacuation.
  • Developing security frameworks for field staff and headquarters: Distinguishing between operational and administrative safety needs.
  • The importance of incident reporting and developing a security incident database for continuous improvement.
  • Case study: Developing security procedures for UNHCR or MSF in remote or hostile environments.
• Afternoon Session: Implementing Security Procedures
  • Creating and implementing access control and movement restrictions: Measures to protect staff and facilities in volatile areas.
  • Setting up communications systems: Satellite phones, encrypted communication, and incident reporting tools.
  • Monitoring security: How to use intelligence networks, local sources, and security reports to stay informed about emerging threats.
  • Staff training and regular security drills: Best practices for preparing your team for emergency situations.
  • Group activity: Develop a set of security procedures for a hypothetical humanitarian mission in a high-risk zone.

Day 3: Personal Safety and Threat Mitigation

• Morning Session: Personal Safety Strategies for Humanitarian Workers
  • The importance of situational awareness: Identifying and mitigating risks in real time.
  • Best practices for personal security: Travel safety, maintaining a low profile, and avoiding targeted attacks.
  • Strategies for minimizing risk during routine operations and fieldwork: When to trust your instincts and when to follow protocols.
  • Psychological safety: Mental health considerations for humanitarian workers in high-risk environments.
  • Case study: Personal security failures and lessons learned from abductions or attacks on staff.
• Afternoon Session: Self-Defense and Emergency Response
  • Basics of self-defense techniques and when to use them in a humanitarian context.
  • Handling emergency situations: What to do during incidents of physical violence, roadblocks, ambushes, or active threats.
  • Strategies for managing hostage situations: Understanding the psychology of kidnappers, and crisis negotiation techniques.
  • Evacuation planning: Preparing for medical emergencies, staff evacuation, and extraction from dangerous situations.
  • Group exercise: Role-play of emergency evacuation or kidnapping scenario and practical response drills.

Day 4: Crisis Management and Incident Response

• Morning Session: Managing Security Incidents
  • Crisis management principles: incident response, evacuation protocols, and crisis communication.
  • Incident command systems: Who makes decisions, how decisions are communicated, and the chain of command in emergencies.
  • Best practices for coordinating with local authorities, security agencies, and international organizations during security incidents.
  • Managing staff trauma and providing psychological first aid after an incident.
  • Case study: Analysis of security incidents in Afghanistan or Central African Republic and effective crisis management responses.
• Afternoon Session: Continuity of Operations During Crises
  • Ensuring continuity of operations during security incidents: How to keep programs running and staff safe.
  • Managing staff turnover and remote management during crises.
  • Role of remote security monitoring and relocation strategies for field staff in high-risk zones.
  • Developing post-crisis recovery strategies for organizations and staff.
  • Group exercise: Crisis response simulation with decision-making points (e.g., evacuation, staff support, coordination with partners).

Day 5: Technology, Partnerships, and Building a Safety Culture

• Morning Session: Leveraging Technology for Safety
  • Overview of modern security technologies: GPS tracking, biometric access systems, and digital communication tools.
  • Cybersecurity for humanitarian workers: Protecting personal and organizational data in conflict zones.
  • Using security apps and digital platforms to stay informed and respond to threats in real time.
  • Understanding data protection laws and organizational responsibility in maintaining staff privacy.
  • Case study: Implementing digital security systems in humanitarian operations in Syria or Nigeria.
• Afternoon Session: Building a Culture of Safety and Security
  • Creating an organizational culture where safety is prioritized: Training, leadership buy-in, and security policies.
  • Communicating the importance of security awareness to all levels of staff, from field workers to senior leadership.
  • Collaborating with local security actors, government officials, and security providers to enhance protection efforts.
  • Promoting peer support networks and mental health resilience for humanitarian staff.
  • Group discussion: How can humanitarian organizations institutionalize safety and security?