News
Two French Aid Workers Kidnapped in Afghanistan
19/07/08 08:39
Two French aid workers from Action Against Hunger
(ACF) were kidnapped in Afghanistan on Friday. The
pair were taken at 1 AM as they slept in their ACF
guest house in Nili, Day Kundi Province. The
kidnappers reportedly tied up the local guards before
fleeing with thier two victims.
According to ACF they have knowledge that the two staff members are still alive.
Kidnapping in Afghanistan: Two ACF Humanitarian Aid Workers Abducted
Two French aid workers kidnapped in Afghanistan
According to ACF they have knowledge that the two staff members are still alive.
Kidnapping in Afghanistan: Two ACF Humanitarian Aid Workers Abducted
Two French aid workers kidnapped in Afghanistan
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Gunmen Kill Aid Workers in Somalia
12/07/08 06:06
On 11 July gunmen shot and killed Mohamed Muhamoud
Keyre, the deputy head of Mogadishu-based,
German-funded Daryeel Bulsho Guud (DBG). DBG reported
that he had been gunned down as he was performing
ablutions at a Mosque at Elasha Biyaha, Mogadishu.
In a separate incident gunmen seriously wounded Ali Bashi, who heads Mogadishu-based charity group, SORDA. Ali Bashi was attacked while distributing food to internally displaced people in Taredishe camp 13 kilometres south of Mogadishu.
Meanwhile, in southern Somalia, gunmen shot and killed a WFP-contracted driver. Ahmed Saali was killed in fighting between convoy escorts and militiamen at a checkpoint in Lower Shabelle region on Monday.
Somali aid worker killed near Mogadishu, another wounded
Somali aid worker killed by gunmen
In a separate incident gunmen seriously wounded Ali Bashi, who heads Mogadishu-based charity group, SORDA. Ali Bashi was attacked while distributing food to internally displaced people in Taredishe camp 13 kilometres south of Mogadishu.
Meanwhile, in southern Somalia, gunmen shot and killed a WFP-contracted driver. Ahmed Saali was killed in fighting between convoy escorts and militiamen at a checkpoint in Lower Shabelle region on Monday.
Somali aid worker killed near Mogadishu, another wounded
Somali aid worker killed by gunmen
IFRC Aid Workers Leave Chad After Threat
04/07/08 08:27
Aid workers from the International Federation of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been
temporarily pulled out of Chad after an unstated but
specific security threat. IFRC staff have been
supporting the Chadian Red Cross.
Red Cross aid workers leave Chad after threat
Red Cross aid workers leave Chad after threat
The WolfGroup
19/06/08 08:51
Raj Rana is back online with his new company’s
website. The WolfGroup is a consulting group with
expertise in civil-military relations, post-conflict
peace building, critical incident management, NGO
security, risk management, protection and advocacy.
Recommended!
Ahmed Rashid on Afghanistan and Pakistan
19/06/08 08:13
30% of aid money is spent on security for aid agencies?
12/06/08 07:32
If you read this blog you’ve probably already seen the article above. I almost didn’t read it because it looked like yet another “aid is inefficient and ineffective article”. It was the reference to NGO security costs that caught my eye. According to Integrity Watch Afghanistan, “Between 15 to 30 percent of aid money is spent on security for aid agencies, the IWA report said...”
What? Really? Where did those numbers come from? Given the difficulty I’ve had in finding money for things as simple as burglar resistant doors and decent fencing I really have my doubts.
If you download the full report you’ll see this:
For instance, the contracted security of the Kabul-Kandahar road during its reconstruction* prevented the disarmament of the equivalent of a whole private militia. Serious estimates put the number of armed guards who were used by the aid agencies at tens of thousands. An estimated 15 to 30 percent of aid money has been spent on security.
Maybe that’s where things got confused. To be clear the meaning of the statement “15 to 30 percent of aid money has been spent on security” is nowhere near the same as, “Between 15 to 30 percent of aid money is spent on security for aid agencies...” While considerable donor money might go to ‘security’ in Afghanistan it includes things like security sector reform, demining, counter-narcotics, police training, etc. This is not the same thing as “security for aid agencies.”
I’m pretty confident that aid agencies are not spending 15 to 30 percent of their budgets on their own security. I know mine isn’t. Most NGOs do not use armed guards and security budgets are generally small even if you include what are traditional safety costs.
* To the best of my knowledge the vast majority of the work done on the Kabul-Kandahar road was done by private contractors, not aid workers.
Zimbabwe Orders All Aid Groups to Suspend Work
06/06/08 07:35
Not satisfied with merely stopping CARE’s work in
Zimbabwe the government has ordered all aid groups to
cease work. This might be a good time for NGOs in
Zimbabwe to dust of hibernation/relocation plans,
exercise the Crisis Management Team, and review
security measures.
More Cartoons and More Threats
05/06/08 20:18
A Norwegian newspaper recently published a drawing of
a man with Turban, having his clothes open and
displaying a t-shirt with the text: "I am Mohammed,
no one dares to print me”. The artist says that the
half naked caricature represents the naked face of
terrorism. However, it is fairly obvious that others
may interpret the cartoon differently.
The drawing seems to be circulating quickly on Arabic websites.
In an apparently unrelated, but likely synergistic threat, AQ seems to include Norway as well as other EU countries on its target list as the story below highlights.
NGOs would be wise to monitor the situation closely. Any indicator of negative reactions to the new cartoon should be taken seriously and any necessary risk reduction and mitigation measures implemented.
The drawing seems to be circulating quickly on Arabic websites.
In an apparently unrelated, but likely synergistic threat, AQ seems to include Norway as well as other EU countries on its target list as the story below highlights.
NGOs would be wise to monitor the situation closely. Any indicator of negative reactions to the new cartoon should be taken seriously and any necessary risk reduction and mitigation measures implemented.
CARE Ordered to Stop Work in Zimbabwe
04/06/08 08:41
According to a CARE spokesman Zimbabwe's government
has ordered CARE International to suspend its
operations in after accusing it of political
interference.
Gunmen Threaten INGO Staff in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
23/05/08 12:36
Gunmen in civilian clothing have reportedly
threatened INGO staff and local residents in
Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. In one incident an INGO staff
member had a weapon pointed at his head.
Young gunmen in civilian clothing have caused a series of disturbances on the town streets in recent days, threatening civilians and aid workers in broad daylight.
At least one International NGO has gone into hibernation until the situation stabilizes.
Young gunmen in civilian clothing have caused a series of disturbances on the town streets in recent days, threatening civilians and aid workers in broad daylight.
At least one International NGO has gone into hibernation until the situation stabilizes.
Human Security Brief 2007 - We Are Winning!
22/05/08 09:45
The Human Security
Brief 2007 has been released. It challenges
the conventional doom and gloom we've become so
used to hearing. Maybe, just maybe, the voices
of reason are winning.
You can also listen to a webcast of
Andrew Mack's press conference to discuss the
report. Sorry but you'll need RealPlayer. Note to UN
- why can't you use a non-proprietary format?
Three Aid Workers Kidnapped in Somalia
21/05/08 10:24
Three aid workers from Cooperazione Italiana Nord Sud
were kidnapped by gunmen on 21 May in the Lower
Shabelle region of Somalia. Two Italians, one male
and one female, and a male Somali colleague were
kidnapped early in the morning in the village of
Awdhegle.
Two Italians among three aid workers kidnapped in Somalia: officials
Somali gunmen kidnap two Italian aid workers-officials
Witness: Somali gunmen seize 2 Italian aid workers
Two Italians among three aid workers kidnapped in Somalia: officials
Somali gunmen kidnap two Italian aid workers-officials
Witness: Somali gunmen seize 2 Italian aid workers
Red Cross Website Hacked to Steal Quake Relief Donations
19/05/08 16:08
A section of the Chinese Red Cross website has
reportedly been hacked. Apparently the hacker gained
access to the website and created four fraudulent
bank accounts to steal earthquake relief funding. If
you can read Chinese you can read the report here. Otherwise check
out the link attached to the graphic below. Read
the
full report from The Dark Visitor.
Kidnapped Aid Workers Released in Pakistan
18/05/08 08:36
Aid Vessel Hijacked near Somalia
18/05/08 08:18
A Jordanian vessel carrying 4,000 tonnes of sugar
donated by Denmark was seized by pirates off the
coast of Somalia on 17 May.
The Indian Ocean near Somalia has one of the highest piracy rates in the world. At least twelve ships have been attacked this year. Vessels carrying aid shipments are easy and lucrative targets for the pirates who ply the Somalia coastline.
The Indian Ocean near Somalia has one of the highest piracy rates in the world. At least twelve ships have been attacked this year. Vessels carrying aid shipments are easy and lucrative targets for the pirates who ply the Somalia coastline.
Darfur 'No Fly Zone'?
14/05/08 08:15
According to sources the Government of Sudan is
creating a 'no fly zone' for UN and humanitarian
operations in Darfur. There are contradictory reports
of airport closures and the grounding of flights.
Nyala and El Fasher airstrips were closed on 13 May.
NGO security advisors are advised to reassess their medical evacuation plans for Darfur. The lack of reliable aeromedical evacuation capability increases the threat to life and limb of even relatively minor medical events.
NGO security advisors are advised to reassess their medical evacuation plans for Darfur. The lack of reliable aeromedical evacuation capability increases the threat to life and limb of even relatively minor medical events.
Aid-worker, show me your visa!
09/05/08 18:13
WFP Head of Sub-office Killed by Gunmen in Northwestern Kenya
09/05/08 17:18
On Wednesday, 7 May 2008, gunmen shot dead
37-year-old Zimbabwean Silence Chirara outside a UN
compound in Lokichoggio, north of Nairobi, near the
border with southern Sudan. He was ambushed while
driving a clearly marked UN vehicle.
See also:
UN food agency shocked by killing of staffer in Kenya
Zimbabwean Aid worker killed in Kenya
KENYA / GUNMEN KILL WFP HEAD OF SUB-OFFICE IN NORTHWESTERN KENYA « APO-SOURCE : The African News Source via kwout
See also:
UN food agency shocked by killing of staffer in Kenya
Zimbabwean Aid worker killed in Kenya
Centre for Monitoring Election Violence - Sri Lanka
09/05/08 08:27
The Centre
for Monitoring Election Violence is
monitoring the election in eastern Sri Lanka.
They are using the emerging standard, Twitter
updates mashed with google maps, a blog, and
mobile phone access to spread the word. Even if
you are not interested in the elections you
should check it out in case you need to do
something similar in your own country.
CMEV is comprised of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) the Free Media Movement (FMM) and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre. Despite financial constraints they plan to field 330 stationary monitors at selected polling centres across the Eastern Province along with 49 Mobile Teams.
CMEV is comprised of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) the Free Media Movement (FMM) and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre. Despite financial constraints they plan to field 330 stationary monitors at selected polling centres across the Eastern Province along with 49 Mobile Teams.
Citizen Reports on Election Violence and Malpractices in Sri Lanka
07/05/08 07:10
Vikalpa has launched a new site on Twitter with short
reports generated by its citizen journalist network
in Eastern Sri Lanka. eastelections08
will provide updates on election related
violence and malpractices in the Eastern
Province.
You can also view the updates on the vikalpa website. You'll find them in the middle column just above the fold.
You can also view the updates on the vikalpa website. You'll find them in the middle column just above the fold.
UNDP Worker Arrested with Pistol - Snarky Comments Follow
01/05/08 11:26
This article about a UNDP worker being arrested while
carrying a pistol is interesting but its the comments
that stand out. Some are funny... some just sad. What
does it say about acceptance as a security strategy
in Sri Lanka? Have we been doing a good job
communicating what it is we do and who we are?
The Taliban and Propaganda of the Deed
01/05/08 10:06
The Insurgency Research Group has an excellent
analysis of the significance of the Taliban attack on
Sunday's Afghan National Day parade. The whole post
is worth reading but don't do it yet. Read the
following paragraph first and then watch the No
Comment TV video.
OK. Now go ahead and read the whole post.
The incident on Sunday demonstrates a classic propaganda of the deed partnership in which the insurgents with growing skill select a media-significant target and with witless incomprehension international reporters beam the most sensationally damning images of the event around the world so as to deliver the worst possible interpretation. There is no need for a Taliban subtext or even a photo caption, the images speak powerfully for themselves sending messages of a stricken regime put to flight in their gilded uniforms by the daring fighters of the Taliban.
OK. Now go ahead and read the whole post.
iPM: Twittering Around the World
01/05/08 08:04
BBC Radio's iPM until
Chris Vallance contacted me to talk about using
Twitter in Afghanistan. He has put together a a
great piece titled "Twittering Around the
World". Its definitely worth listening to. There
are a lot of fascinating people doing
interesting things with Twitter.
Be sure to check out the blog post too. Chris has links to some cool Twitter related sites.
| Add IPM Radio4's channel to your page |
Be sure to check out the blog post too. Chris has links to some cool Twitter related sites.
IFRC Releases Two New Security Manuals
27/04/08 09:40
IFRC has released "Stay
Safe", its new security manual. I've only
taken a quick look at it but so far it looks
good. There is also a
security manager's version.
Learning to Think Analytically with Video Games
26/04/08 09:15
According to Wired US intelligence agencies are using
custom video games to teach analytical thinking.
Despite what the graphics might suggest the games'
emphasis is on critical thinking skills and the use
of the analytical process rather than violence.
I'd love to see an NGO version of something like this. It shouldn't be too hard to come up with an interesting story with a humanitarian slant that would challenge the players reasoning. Perhaps based on Darfur with the player attempting to shift through opposing claims and counter claims. Or how about a scenario based in Gaza?
Only the eight principles of intelligence analysis can save him? Oh my Gawd! I don't remember them! I'm hoping that its Richards J. Heuer's eight step Analysis of Competing Hypotheses otherwise little DIA dude is doomed.
I'd love to see an NGO version of something like this. It shouldn't be too hard to come up with an interesting story with a humanitarian slant that would challenge the players reasoning. Perhaps based on Darfur with the player attempting to shift through opposing claims and counter claims. Or how about a scenario based in Gaza?
Only the eight principles of intelligence analysis can save him? Oh my Gawd! I don't remember them! I'm hoping that its Richards J. Heuer's eight step Analysis of Competing Hypotheses otherwise little DIA dude is doomed.
Action Against Hunger Leaves Sri Lanka in Protest
22/04/08 07:22
ACF has made the difficult decision to withdraw from
Sri Lanka due to lack of confidence in the
government's investigation into the massacre of 17
ACF staff two years ago. This couldn't have been an
easy decision for ACF. Concerns over the impact of
their withdrawal on beneficiaries must weigh heavily.
However, ACF's action may well help raise the profile
of attacks on NGOs in Sri Lanka and help end the
culture of impunity that grips the island.
I applaud ACF for making morally courageous choices under difficult circumstances.
I applaud ACF for making morally courageous choices under difficult circumstances.
More on Espionage Against Pro-Tibet NGOs
12/04/08 10:31
You might recall that a couple of weeks ago NGO
Security and humanitarian.info
covered cyber attacks on NGO's in Tibet. Now
Wired magazine has a more mainstream follow up
article on the issue. Most alarming perhaps is
that some of the malware used in the attacks was
designed to steal PGP encryption keys. PGP is
used by many human rights groups to secure their
email from prying eyes.
If you'd like to know more about how to protect your organization's information from prying eyes be sure and check out "Digital Security and Privacy for Human Rights Defenders".
If you'd like to know more about how to protect your organization's information from prying eyes be sure and check out "Digital Security and Privacy for Human Rights Defenders".
NGO Security is Compiling a Security Training Directory
05/04/08 10:33
NGO Security is compiling a humanitarian
security training directory. If you or your
organization want to be included in the
directory drop them a line. If you know someone
who might want to be included please pass the
word.
