Abduction of aid workers has risen sharply in particular contexts in the past decade. Abduction is a “unique form of critical incident”, characterised by its ongoing, “live” nature, often extended duration, the pressure of decision-making and uncertainty. This ...hlight medbox">EISF Briefing Paper explores the dimensions of effective, proactive abduction and kidnapping response mechanisms. It complements the EISF Briefing Paper Crisis Management of Critical Incidents, released April 2010, that looks at crisis response plans as a whole. more

This EISF Briefing Paper seeks to outline the requirements of crisis management structures, providing a general guideline of crisis management planning, Crisis Management Teams (CMTs) and post-crisis follow-up. It is followed by the May 2010 ...class="attribute-to-highlight medbox">EISF Briefing Paper, Abduction Management, that will focus on the management of abductions and kidnappings, a particular form of crisis requiring an especially tailoured response. The two papers seek to act as tools by which agencies can review and strengthen their crisis management mechanisms, so ensuring effective responses to critical incidents. more

Humanitarian NGOs have made increased use of Private Security Providers (PSPs) over the last decade. There is a gap between the ways that NGOs actually use PSPs and the regulation of this engagement. These guidelines aim to assist humanitarian NGOs ...in reaching an informed decision about when, how and under what conditions to seek PSP services. The guidelines are aimed at operational managers of NGOs, from headquarter to field level. The guidelines do not only cover armed guarding or armed protection, but can be applied to the wide range of services provided by PSPs. Document also available in French. more

Au cours des dix dernières années, les ONG humanitaires ont fait de plus en plus fréquemment appel aux Entreprises de sécurité privées (ESP). On observe l’existence d’un écart entre la manière dont les ONG utilisent les ESP dans la réal...ité et la régulation d’une telle relation. Ces orientations ont pour objet d’aider les ONG humanitaires à prendre une décision en connaissance de cause sur quand, comment et dans quelles conditions, recourir aux services d’une ESP. Ces orientations sont destinées aux responsables opérationnels des ONG au niveau du siège et du terrain. Ces orientations ne couvrent pas uniquement des activités de surveillance ou de protection armées, mais peuvent être appliquées à une gamme plus étendue de services assurés par les ESP. more

The Cost of Security Risk Management for NGOs explores the costs related to safety and security management for aid programmes. It aims to assist all aid practitioners to determine their risk managem...ent expenditure more accurately, and demonstrate an evidence-based approach when presenting this information to donors. The paper will be particularly relevant to those responsible for programme planning and management, donor proposal writing, as well as safety and security risk management. more