GENERIC
    SECURITY
    GUIDE
    FOR HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATIONS
    Commissioned by ECHO
    2004
                                                                                                             Generic Security Guide
               ECHO CONTACT FOR SECURITY MATTERS
               The ECHO contact for security matters is Mr Val Flynn, ECHO HQ and Field Security Co-ordinator.
               Tel:     +32 2 299 0983
               Fax:     +32 2 299 1172
               E-mail: Anthony-Val.Flynn@cec.eu.int
               Web:     www.europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm
               DISCLAIMER
               This document is general in nature, and its contents may not be applicable in all situations.  The advice it
               offers may be inappropriate in some circumstances and in some cases could even place people at risk of
               death or injury.  Its contents should be modified and adapted as appropriate, to suit the needs of particular
               organisations and situations.  It is not designed as a stand-alone document, but should be used by qualified
               and experienced managers who should exercise their judgement at all times as to the best course of action.
               This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Commission’s Directorate-
               General for Humanitarian Aid - ECHO.  The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to
               reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.
               ECHO, The Evaluation Partnership and the author accept no liability whatsoever arising from the use of this
               document.
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                                                                                                              Generic Security Guide
                                                          TABLE OF CONTENTS
               1.      Start here.............................................................................................................1
               1.1     Aim of this Guide...........................................................................................................1
               1.2     What this Guide covers.................................................................................................1
               1.3     What this Guide does not cover....................................................................................1
               1.4     If you are new to humanitarian work..............................................................................2
               1.5     If you are more experienced..........................................................................................2
               1.6     If you are just visiting the field.......................................................................................2
               1.7     A note for senior managers or security advisors............................................................3
               1.8     Do I really need a Guide this long?................................................................................3
               1.9     How to use this Guide...................................................................................................3
               2.      Introduction to security.....................................................................................4
               2.1     What is security?...........................................................................................................4
               2.2     Why is security important?............................................................................................4
               2.3     Approaches to security..................................................................................................4
               2.4     Risk, Threat and Vulnerability........................................................................................5
               2.5     Definitions.....................................................................................................................5
               3.      Security preparation for the field.....................................................................6
               3.1     Security assessment before deploying..........................................................................6
               3.2     Prepare a security plan before deploying......................................................................7
               3.3     Humanitarian space......................................................................................................7
               3.4     Consider security aspects of proposed programmes.....................................................8
               3.5     Selection of staff............................................................................................................8
               3.6     Training.........................................................................................................................9
               3.7     Briefing..........................................................................................................................9
               3.8     Equipping....................................................................................................................10
               3.9     Preparing illiterate staff................................................................................................10
               3.10 Preparing security-related aspects of administration...................................................10
               3.11 Offices and warehouses..............................................................................................11
               3.12 Staff accommodation...................................................................................................11
               3.13 Standard documents and equipment...........................................................................11
               3.14 Personal preparation...................................................................................................12
               3.15 Medical preparation.....................................................................................................12
               4.      Security management in the field...................................................................13
               4.1     Revised security assessment......................................................................................13
               4.2     Revised security plan..................................................................................................13
               4.3     Information-gathering..................................................................................................13
               4.4     Relations with the local population..............................................................................13
               4.5     Relations with other organisations...............................................................................14
                       (a) Local authorities..................................................................................................................14
                       (b) Local security forces...........................................................................................................14
                       (c)  Other humanitarian organisations.......................................................................................15
                       (d) The UN security system......................................................................................................15
                       (e) International military forces.................................................................................................15
                       (f)  International police force.....................................................................................................16
                       (g) Embassies..........................................................................................................................17
                       (h) Donors................................................................................................................................ 17
                       (i)  Local partners.....................................................................................................................17
                       (j)  Security coordination between humanitarian organisations................................................17
               4.6     The Field-Headquarters relationship...........................................................................18
               4.7     Reporting.....................................................................................................................18
               4.8     Security aspects of programme design.......................................................................19
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                                                                                                              Generic Security Guide
               4.9     Routine security management.....................................................................................19
                       (a) Teamwork...........................................................................................................................19
                       (b) Staff behaviour....................................................................................................................19
                       (c)  Female staff........................................................................................................................20
                       (d) Rest and Recreation (R&R)................................................................................................21
                       (e) Stress................................................................................................................................. 21
                       (f)  Discipline............................................................................................................................21
                       (g) Checkpoints........................................................................................................................21
                       (h) Weapons.............................................................................................................................21
               4.10 Technical issues..........................................................................................................22
                       (a) Telecommunications...........................................................................................................22
                       (b) Vehicles..............................................................................................................................22
                       (c)  Guards................................................................................................................................ 23
                       (d) Fire safety...........................................................................................................................23
               4.11 Administrative issues...................................................................................................23
                       (a) Financial security................................................................................................................23
                       (b) Information security............................................................................................................23
                       (c)  Managing keys....................................................................................................................24
                       (d) Identity badges...................................................................................................................24
                       (e) Procurement.......................................................................................................................24
                       (f)  Corruption...........................................................................................................................24
                       (g) Consider a “Get-you-in” team.............................................................................................24
               4.12 Travel..........................................................................................................................25
               4.13 Media aspects of security management......................................................................25
               4.14 Visibility and security...................................................................................................25
               4.15 Legal protection of aid workers....................................................................................26
               4.16 Reporting of war crimes...............................................................................................26
               5.      Security incidents............................................................................................27
               5.1     Security incidents: prevention and reaction.................................................................27
               5.2     Reporting of incidents..................................................................................................27
               5.3     Reporting ‘near miss’ incidents....................................................................................27
               5.4     Debriefing after an incident..........................................................................................27
               5.5     Analysis of incidents and adjustment of procedures....................................................27
               5.6     Medical evacuation (Medevac)....................................................................................27
               5.7     Fatal incidents.............................................................................................................28
               5.8     Investigation of a serious incident................................................................................28
               5.9     Media handling after a security incident......................................................................28
               6.      Suspension, Hibernation, Relocation, Evacuation.......................................28
               6.1     Deciding whether to suspend, hibernate, relocate or evacuate...................................28
               6.2     Suspension of programme activities............................................................................29
               6.3     Hibernation..................................................................................................................29
               6.4     Relocation or reduction of staff....................................................................................29
               6.5     Evacuation..................................................................................................................29
               6.6     Role of the United Nations in evacuation.....................................................................30
               6.7     Debriefing after an evacuation.....................................................................................30
               6.8     Media aspects of suspension, hibernation, relocation or evacuation...........................30
               6.9     Return after evacuation...............................................................................................30
               7.      Closing a programme......................................................................................31
               7.1     Ending staff contracts..................................................................................................31
               7.2     Ending other contracts.................................................................................................31
               7.3     Legal aspects of programme closure...........................................................................31
               7.4     Disposing of property..................................................................................................32
               7.5     Evaluation and inspection............................................................................................32
               7.6     Handover of a programme...........................................................................................32
               7.7     Media aspects of closing a programme.......................................................................32
               7.8     Farewell events...........................................................................................................32
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