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Resolution 5: The safety and security of humanitarian volunteers

Report on resolution 5:

– Date: 31.07.2019

– Country: United Kingdom

– Type of entity:  National Society

What measures did your National Society take to strengthen the safety and security of your volunteers? Please check what applies below: 
Safety and security training e.g. Safer Access Framework, Stay Safe, Staying alive and others

What measures did your National Society take to identify and or review potential threats to the volunteers? Please check what applies:
 – ensuring that their plans and programmes include measures to reduce and mitigate these risks

What activities has your National Society undertaken to ensure safety and security of volunteers, in cooperation with:
 – Other partners and stakeholders of influence
Section 3 – Other partners are stakeholders of influence
British Red Cross is an active member of the European Interagency Security Forum
British Red Cross is an actively support the Strengthening Movement Cooperation and Coordination initiative, and participates in the Security Focal Point Network, including working groups, one of which is chaired by the security advisor.
For UK domestic operations, to ensure the well-being of our volunteers and staff, the BRC Health and Safety team also actively participates in multi-organisational benchmarking forums for health and safety with an external private-sector consultancy.
British Red Cross does send a small number of youth volunteers overseas, typically sending 15 and receiving 30 annually. Each of these is 8-12 months in duration. The programme has been running for 25 years through Erasmus +.
Possible challenges
From a safety and security perspective the challenges around youth volunteers are as follows:
Younger people tend to be less observant of rules, regulations and lack the experience to make good judgement.
It is also more difficult to enforce regulations with youth volunteers than for employees (since employees can ultimately have contracts terminated).

Does your National Society ensure that volunteers have adequate insurance or equivalent “safety net” assistance with regard to death, injury, sickness or trauma they may endure while carrying out their duties? In case of absence of insurance or equivalent “safety net”, is your National Society aware of the functioning of the French Fund Maurice de Madre (FFMM) or others? Please check the appropriate box:
– Yes: please let us know what type of insurance or equivalent “safety-net” form you use

What support did you provide to other National Societies for increasing safety and security of volunteers? Please check appropriate box:
 – Insurance system
 – Training

What activities have you undertaken to facilitate partnerships towards strengthening the safety and security of volunteers? 
Psychological support:
– Volunteers are provided with stress management training before going overseas and their programme managers are on call to assist when required.
– There is also support available for our overseas volunteers online from our private
-sector team of wellbeing professionals.

What measures did you take to ensure that volunteers have adequate insurance or equivalent “safety net” assistance with regard to death, injury, sickness or trauma they may endure while carrying out their duties? 
Volunteers who serve in international roles are entitled to two insurance policies. First, they receive standard travel insurance while en-route to their destination. Then, when in situ, they also receive a separate insurance policy which provides cover for health, third party liability and life assurance.

Safety and security of humanitarian volunteers