World Humanitarian Day is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect both civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict zones. While raising awareness is crucial, it’s essential that we move beyond hashtags and rhetoric. Our community must take concrete, strategic actions to ensure safety and cultivate a healthy work environment.
If You’re Working at the Country Level:
1. Promote and Invest in Comprehensive Safety Training:
Encourage participation in safety training programs offered by DisasterReady, UNDSS, and Kaya. Additionally, provide specialized training (including HEAT and HEIST) for guards, drivers, and other frontline workers who are often the first to respond in emergencies. Supplement these with resources that promote mental well-being, recognizing that a healthy work culture is foundational to overall safety.
2. Develop, Review, and Improve Protocols:
Collaborate with your team to create, regularly update, and continuously improve safety and security protocols. Ensure these protocols are practical, up-to-date, and well-communicated to all staff members. They should also incorporate measures that promote a supportive work culture, where staff feel safe and valued.
3. Conduct Regular Drills:
Implement regular safety drills to prepare your team for various emergencies, such as evacuation or lockdown scenarios. Include elements that address both physical safety and psychological readiness, helping staff manage stress effectively during crises.
4. Check and Maintain Communication Tools:
Regularly test and update communication tools to ensure your team can stay connected during emergencies. This includes radios, satellite phones, and other essential communication devices, ensuring that all team members are equipped to stay in touch, which is crucial for both safety and morale.
5. Assess and Equip Vehicles Regularly:
Schedule routine inspections of vehicles to ensure they are in optimal working condition. Equip them with necessary tools, hibernation kits, trauma kits, and first aid supplies. These steps are not only about ensuring safety but also about reinforcing a culture of preparedness and care.
6. Invest in Incident Analysis and Continuous Learning:
After any incident, conduct thorough After Action Reviews (AARs) to identify lessons learned. Analyze trends in incidents and use this data to improve safety protocols and reduce future risks. Foster a learning environment where continuous improvement is part of the organizational culture.
7. Engage Local Partners for Contextual Safety:
Listen to local partners and communities—they offer valuable insights into safety risks and cultural considerations. Work closely with them to develop context-specific safety measures that are both effective and culturally sensitive.
8. Actively Participate in Safety Networks:
Engage with safety and security networks like INSO and UNDSS. Regularly update your safety and security risk management plans to reflect current conditions, ensuring these plans are integrated with broader efforts to maintain a supportive, healthy work culture.
9. Defend and Secure Safety Budgets:
When negotiating with donors, emphasize the critical importance of maintaining safety budgets. Engage in proactive dialogue to secure the necessary funds, making it clear that safety and well-being are non-negotiable priorities.
If You’re at the Global Level:
1. Advocate for Global Safety Policies:
Collaborate with international partners and organizations to develop and push for policies that guarantee the protection of humanitarian workers and civilians, especially in conflict zones. Ensure these policies also promote mental health and well-being as key components of safety.
2. Engage with the UN and Major Donors:
Advocate at the highest levels, including with the UN and major donors, to ensure that the principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) are upheld, and that safety, protection, and well-being remain at the forefront of humanitarian operations.
3. Strengthen International Humanitarian Law:
Work with global actors to enhance the implementation and enforcement of IHL, ensuring that violations against humanitarian workers and civilians are addressed and that perpetrators are held accountable.
4. Invest in Technology, Data, and Mental Health Resources:
Focus on improving global safety measures through data analysis, new technologies, and innovative safety solutions. Advocate for the integration of mental health resources into safety frameworks to ensure a holistic approach to staff well-being.
5. Support Local Capacity Building:
Advocate for global policies that empower and build the capacity of local partners, guards, drivers, and frontline staff, ensuring alignment with efforts to promote a positive work culture at the local level.
6. Promote and Standardize Global Safety Protocols:
Push for the development, adoption, and monitoring of global safety protocols and standards that can be tailored to various operational contexts while ensuring a unified approach to safety and well-being.
7. Engage Stakeholders Across Sectors for Comprehensive Safety:
Collaborate with NGOs, governments, and the private sector to ensure a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to safety, focusing on building a global culture of protection, risk management, and organizational well-being.
Safety and well-being are everyone’s responsibility. Let’s not just talk about it—let’s take action to protect and support our teams and those we serve.
#WorldHumanitarianDay #SafetyFirst #HumanitarianAid #ProtectCivilians #ActionForSafety #WellbeingAtWork
Ali Al Mokdad is a seasoned executive known for his strategic acumen and extensive experience in driving operational excellence and program development. With a robust background in policy formulation and governance, he excels in crafting and implementing visionary strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness and drive sustainable growth. His leadership blends deep operational insight with a commitment to high-impact governance and innovative solutions.
