Fighting Hunger Worldwide WFP Field Security Keeping you safe & secure April 2016
Safety and security: a top priority In the field, our security risk management personnel provide specific knowledge of the threats and risks in a country or region, and advise on mitigation and prevention measures. As a whole, the division brings together professionals with experience across a range of areas: risk assessment and risk management; operational planning and crisis management; context and conflict analysis; information management; humanitarian access analysis and negotiation; hostage and incident negotiation and management; physical security and blast mitigation. 2
Responding to emergencies in volatile locations, often on the frontline, is part of what WFP does. It means that some risks, however unwelcome, are unavoidable and need to be managed. Good security risk management is essential it keeps staff safe and secure in challenging places, enabling WFP to reach hungry people with the food they need to stay alive. The UN has developed a process of security risk management, which identifies threats and analyses risks. These can then be prevented or mitigated through proper security planning, procedures and practices, strategies to ensure acceptance, and, if needed, specialist equipment and physical improvements to sites. Securing and sustaining humanitarian access plays an ever-growing role in Security Risk Management. Field Security Teams shape the security environment through context analysis, building relationships with hostile groups through negotiations and developing communications strategies. A hostile environment for WFP can be transformed into a permissive one. A Field Security Officer s job is to help WFP keep operating not to limit what can be done on the ground. It s essential that they understand the goals of a programme. But it s also essential that staff understand that security is crucial for any mission work can t move forward without the risks being understood and properly managed. 3
From Security Management to Risk Management The safety and security of WFP s humanitarian staff is paramount. It is in your best interests to follow the guidance given by security officers. There s always a serious reason for it and it creates a safer working environment for everyone. WFP s Field Security Teams will give you all the advice they can. They want you to reach the people most in need safely and securely. THEY CAN: Carry out security risk and blast assessments and security analysis. Gain access for programming and logistics. Be the first responder in an emergency or security incident. Equip your WFP Country Office with security equipment. Give security training and make staff more aware of security. Provide security briefings when staff arrive in a country. Advise you of potential security problems and unsafe airlines. Teach everyone how to budget for security. It s a joint effort. EVERYONE has a responsibility for security. 4
If you understand the environment you and your colleagues are in, if you work closely with your Field Security Officer and if you know what to do if there s a security incident, you can dramatically reduce the risks to yourself and your colleagues. Security Training Every WFP staff member must take part in basic security training. It means that all staff know how to act so as not to endanger their safety and security. For staff with formal security responsibilities (such as Security Focal Points), you may need additional security training to have the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to fulfil your specific roles. WFP Field Security can identify for you what this should be, can train you and can also equip staff to be trainers themselves. We will also provide specific training for you and your staff when arriving in a higherrisk duty station. It is essential that you understand how your actions or inaction in a particular environment can jeopardise your own safety and security, or that of your colleagues. We therefore ask that when we deliver important training about safety and security, everyone fully participates. 5
Travelling Safely WFP staff travel extensively all over the world, to some of the most challenging locations. In many countries, the greatest risks to staff occur during routine travel and movements. Using the roads is a necessary part of WFP s daily business. WFP Field Security ensures that effective travel and vehicle accident procedures exist to minimise safety and security risks. In some cases, WFP Field Security advises the use of armoured vehicles. While air travel is one of the safest forms of transport, it still poses a significant safety concern. For this reason, WFP reviews airlines safety records and maintenance practices of commercial airlines, providing guidance to travellers to reduce these risks. 6
Information and Analysis WFP Field Security offers information and analysis about the country you are working in or travelling to, focused on its specific risks. Regular Security Reporting and Security Analysis and assessment papers prepared on request provide detailed information of security developments and evaluate what impact they may have on staff security and the continuity of WFP s work. We take into account the various risk profiles of our operations, as well as of our personnel, to include aspects of gender, age, ethnicity, etc. Analysts are based both in Rome and in key locations around the world. They have specific knowledge of the countries they cover, and through liaison and by monitoring extensive external sources, have significant expertise in analysing changes to the security situation. 7
Premises Security and Blast Assessments WFP premises are vulnerable to planned attacks. We safeguard them by finding ways to prevent and limit damage in the event of a terrorist attack. WFP Field Security works with blast experts and structural engineers to help our buildings better withstand an explosion. We install perimeter reinforcements, barriers, access control measures and safe rooms if they are needed. We also address fire safety through regular inspections, staff training and fire-fighting equipment in all facilities. When other UN agencies ask for our expertise, such as in securing their premises in Somalia, we gladly contribute. 8
Securing Sustainable Access to Beneficiaries There are times when the challenge of reaching people in need of help is especially difficult. This may be due to conflict, security concerns or political restrictions. Access may also be hindered by natural disasters if infrastructure is destroyed. In insecure regions such as Afghanistan, WFP Field Security is working with Programme, Communications and Logistics to reach out to local communities to build trust and gain acceptance. It is enabling WFP to reach more people who need support. We ve had success in Afghanistan, Somalia and South Sudan with this approach and the strong support of WFP s local staff. Security is not an end in itself, but a condition for sustainable access. (Maarten Merkelbach and Pascal Daudin) 9
No programme without security, no security without resources. Assessing spending on security can be difficult because it s not an investment which is simply about a financial reward it s about saving lives. But better security doesn t always mean spending more money some safety and security measures can be implemented at little or no cost. In several WFP Country Offices, new automated entry and exit systems created by Field Security Officers have proved more cost effective than security guards, while providing the same security benefits. Other Country Offices have been able to reduce their local security bill after asking us for help. We have trained and equipped local guards to make the service they provide more efficient and effective. Budgeting for security is essential, so that ongoing or one-off costs are anticipated and better managed. 10
Security in Partnership WFP Field Security doesn t work alone. It contributes its expert resources to the wider UN and humanitarian community, to share ideas, develop standards and prepare staff for difficult situations. Security risk management is one element of WFP s overall risk management. Staff safety and security cannot be addressed without considering the security concerns of the people in need, which is why we work so closely with the Programme, Logistics and the Emergency Preparedness and Response divisions. As partnerships are essential for WFP to accomplish its mission, we also coordinate with our NGO partners to manage security risks in the field. Specialised training, such as for hostage incident management, has been developed in co-operation with other UN agencies and made available to staff from other divisions, such as Communications and Human Resources, who may be liaising with the media or family members during hostage incidents. Security is critical for any mission - it isn t possible to implement programmes without ensuring that everyone understands the risks and security considerations have been appropriately managed. 11
WFP Field Security working to maximise the safety and security of staff Photo credits Front cover: WFP/Will Carter; Inside front cover: WFP/Will Carter; page.3: WFP/Will Carter; page. 4: WFP/Florian Baalcke; page. 5: WFP/Nadia Mattioni, WFP/Field Security; page. 6: WFP/Angeli Mendoza; page. 7: WFP/Florian Baalcke; page. 8: WFP/Jonathan Kougl; page. 9: WFP/Will Carter; page. 10: WFP/Eddie Gerald; page. 11: WFP/ Giulio D Adamo. WFP Field Security Division 12 Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68/70, 00148 Rome, Italy Telephone: +39 06 6513 2153 wfp.fieldsecurity@wfp.org April 6