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AKE releases Field Security Special Report on Aid and Security Risk Management, ongoing context and threat analysis cornerstone of effective approach

LONDON - Due to a reduced aid presence, the frequency of major attacks against civilian aid operations has seen a downturn in most aid settings around the world, however a small number of extremely hostile operational settings have driven up total NGO staff casualties globally in recent years, with Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the top of the list. Moreover the level of sophistication of coordinated attacks has risen, the use of major explosives has increased and there is a pronounced four-fold rise in aid worker kidnappings since 2005.

Brittany Damora, AKE’s Field Security specialist, explains that “strategies for humanitarian and development agencies operating in hostile security environments can be roughly understood by the concepts of acceptance, protection and deterrence”. Acceptance – or generating good relations among the local population – stands at the apex of the aid security approach; however, in complex security environments acceptance cannot be assumed and its process is often not holistic enough to mitigate risk. Protection and deterrence are focused around the reduction of an organisation’s vulnerability. Procedures of protection and deterrence, however, can limit access to the local population and key actors.

“In conjunction with acceptance based on good practice, AKE calls for more effective deterrents and the strategic use of protection in order to best meet programme goals and at the same time allow access” says Damora. "Operational security solutions that combine low-profile approaches, innovative protective measures, training and coordination based on the mandate and risk appetite of the organisation is achievable" according to Damora. Damora believes that “first and foremost organisations operating in hostile security settings should be continually informed by ongoing context and threat analysis based on the risk threshold for the particular organisation related to the criticality of its programme.”

Threat analysis of recent trends in tactics shows a decline of ambushes or attacks on the road, largely due to static programming, greater use of air travel and more limited staff movements. The use of kidnapping and the acquisition of more sophisticated weaponry has proliferated, however, and points to a new development in the political and economic incentives from soft targets such as aid workers.

Mobility and proximity to affected populations is a prerequisite of effective aid provision. The presence of humanitarian and development workers has tapered as a result of violence directed at aid practitioners. The objective for aid operations in complex security environments is not to avoid risk altogether, but to manage risk in a way that allows aid workers to remain present and effective. Security risk management must be coordinated and mainstreamed as an integral part of an organisations programming.

For more information on AKE’s NGO Training and Services please visit http://www.akegroup.com/about-ake/ngos.php.

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