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Resolution 5: The safety and security of humanitarian volunteers

Report on resolution 5:

– Date: 30.07.2019

– Country: Switzerland

– 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: 
training on Fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; insurance;
– designing and implementing volunteer management systems and guidelines in selected countries (e.g. Kyrgystan);
 All Volunteers active for Swiss RC in Switzerland are adequately insured.
 All volunteers active for the Swiss RC in Switzerland are signing a code of conduct and the issue of security and safety is discussed which each volunteers.
 A pilot course on psychosocial support was given to the volunteers coordinators in Switzerland in 2018 with the support of the RCRC reference centre for psycho-social support. It will be further developed and carried out.

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:
 – Public authorities
 – Other partners and stakeholders of influence
Public authorities:
 SRC is very active in the field of volunteering in Switzerland but not really in the field of safety and security as it is not barely an issue in Switzerland. SRC advocates for better recognition of volunteering by the public authorities but also regarding the development of competencies and certification.
Other partners and stakeholders of influence: Swiss RC is also actively contributing to the development of volunteering within the IFRC, e.g. the Swiss RC is part of the Volunteering Alliance and leading the work stream on “The motivation of volunteers”.
For example: developing and/or maintaining national systems for the collection and dissemination of comprehensive data, including sex and age disaggregated data, sharing challenges and exchanging good practices

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

How can the RCRC Movement better support you to enhance the safety and security of your volunteers? 
 Swiss RC has no need for additional support.

What support did you provide to other National Societies for increasing safety and security of volunteers? Please check appropriate box:
 – Insurance system
– Support to drafting policy on volunteering
 – Develop standards and guidance on the topic
 – Provision of protective equipment

What activities have you undertaken to facilitate partnerships towards strengthening the safety and security of volunteers? 
 SRC International Cooperation disposes of a Risk Cockpit to assess managerial risks as well as a risk assessment regarding security issues.
 In 2016, SRC developed a security policy for its international cooperation.
 SRC also employed a security advisor to develop security guidelines for the field, including for volunteers. The Security adviser has done 2 field missions and continues to review the threats and security issues in each delegation incl. for volunteers.

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? 
 SRC promotes the IFRC volunteers insurance in its international cooperation projects; e.g. In 2018, SRC supported volunteers of the Libyan RC (insurance fees were partly paid by the SRC).