#ItTakesAVillage

Humanitarian action often takes place in dangerous and unstable contexts, especially following conflicts and disasters. Security professionals provide services that enable humanitarians to deliver their life-saving programmes safely and securely, and they are critical in ensuring safe access to people in need.

As responses to safety and security challenges vary widely, security officers’ work can include context analysis and risk assessment as well as establishing security procedures, contingency plans and strategies. While national staff on the front lines are often more exposed to insecurity and violence, their local knowledge and contacts are critical in establishing safe and secure environments and communities’ acceptance.

Sadly, the role of security professionals is becoming increasingly important; the number of major attacks against aid workers more than doubled between 2000 and 2020. World Humanitarian Day was designated in memory of the 22 aid workers killed in the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, on 19 August 2003.

After Taliban forces entered Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021, the Government disintegrated and violence and displacement increased. But the Saving Lives Together framework — a strong collaboration between the UN Security Management System and international NGOs — enabled humanitarian assistance for people in need and the relocation of UN personnel. This prevented an increase of intimidation and crime-related incidents.

Since March, security personnel in Ukraine ensured the safe evacuation of 45 international and 520 national UN personnel out of Ukraine.

Learn more

Aidworker Security Report

Aidworker Security Database