Afghan Security Tight After American Kidnapped
According to relief web hundreds of Afghan women in Kandahar demonstrated to protest the kidnapping and demand her safe release.
Vacancy - NGO Security Coordinator/Program Manager - Gaza
If you want an easy job look somewhere else. If you want to shape the future of NGO security apply here: NGO Security Coordinator/Project Manager
The Global Risk Report Rank Ordered
Mick Farmer on Armoured Vehicle Mods
Imminent Threat: Potential for Violent Backlash over Anti-Qur'an Film
Wilders says his short will show that the Qur'an is "a source of inspiration for intolerance, murder and terror." Little else is known about the contents of the yet to be viewed video leading some to speculate that it may contain deliberately provocative acts.
NGO’s working in Islamic countries or in countries with significant Muslim communities should review their exposure to the risk of a violent backlash. Organizations that might be labelled as “Western”, “Christian”, “Dutch” or “Israeli” are especially vulnerable. Security plans should include responses for civil disobedience, demonstrations, and riots. With luck cooler heads will prevail and the plans won’t be needed but, as always, it is better to be prepared.
Courage, Passion and Lifelong Learning
Deja Vu in Gaza
Gadget Roundup
We've all worked in areas
where mobile phone coverage is spotty at best.
MOGO Wireless has a
wireless signal booster for mobile phones that
claims to reduce dropped calls and boost signal
strength. There is a home version that plugs into
the USB port of your laptop and also a mobile
version that plugs into the power port in your
car. The only down side is it seems they only do
800/1900MHz so globe trotting aid workers might
want to wait until other antennas are available.
I've been experimenting
with geotagging
lately. Its very useful for keeping track of where
you took your facility security, post-incident ,
and other photos. Most systems are still a little
kludgey but a friend pointed me to the GPS Photo
Finder. Simply carry it around while you take your
pictures. Later, put your camera's memory card
into the GPS Photo Finder
and all the location data is merged with the
digital photos. Your photos can then be used GPS
compatible photo software or sites such as Google Maps and Flickr.
Better Energy Systems has
introduced a couple of new models of their universal
solar battery charger known as the Solio.
I've used the original model for a couple of
years. It comes in really handy for keeping your
mobile phone and gadgets charged when you are
working in areas without reliable electricity. All
of the models are small enough to fit into your
field bag. It only takes about four hours of
tropical sun to charge fully... longer at more
temperate latitudes.
The only thing I don't like about the Solio is having
to carry all the little adaptors needed to support my
various phones, iPods and other gadgets. Of course
that's really not Solio's problem. I pray for the day
when gadgets come with standardized ports.
Suicide Attacks in Pakistan 2007
If we examine the number of suicide bomb attacks per month we see a peak in July 2007. This coincides with an active suicide bombing campaign against predominantly military and police targets. However if we compare it to the adjacent chart showing casualties due to suicide bomb attacks we can see another peak in November and the start of one in December. The July, November and December peaks coincide with attacks on Pakistan Peoples Party rallies and/or attacks on the party chair, Benazir Bhutto.
This chart reveals that most of 2007's suicide attacks occurred in the NWFP. The single but very lethal attack in Karachi also stands out.
Attacks probably intended to target the military accounted for 47% of suicide attacks with attacks against the police accounting for another 20%. Assessing the actual target of suicide attacks is difficult since the perpetrators are no longer around to explain their intent so these numbers are approximate. The 'mixed' category in particular may be the result of bombers attempting to attack police or military targets without regard for nearby civilians.
Nine percent of the attacks were assessed to be primarily intended to target civilians while 13% where assessed as being intended to attack government personnel and/or political entities, including VIPs.
In 2007 suicide bombings in Pakistan were almost evenly split between Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) and Body Borne Improvised Explosive Devices. There were a small number of 'complex attacks' involving either multiple bombers or combinations of suicide bombers and conventional attacks.
It was a comparison of the relative lethality of the variants of suicide attacks that surprised me somewhat. I had expected complex VBIED attacks to produce the highest number of casualties per incident yet we can see that complex BBIED attacks on average produced two and a half times as many casualties. However, on second examination it becomes apparent that suicide bomber on foot are able to get much closer to their targets and are able to merge easily with large crowds. Even a relatively small quantity of explosives will cause many casualties when employed indiscriminately at political rallies and religious festivals. In addition it appears that VBIEDs were employed primarily against harder military and police targets.
I would have liked to compare civilian victims of suicide bombers against total casualties but unfortunately the data fidelity is just not there. However PIPS did have a table showing total civilian casualties as a result of 2007's cumulative attacks and clashes. Once again civilians seem to bear the brunt of the violence as the chart below shows.
So what does all this mean for NGO's and others wanting to increase their personal security? Well there shouldn't be any surprises here. The data supports the tried and true advice:
* Avoid potential targets including military and police personnel and facilities as best you can.
* Don't wear clothing that might be mistaken for a uniform.
* Don't mingle with military or VIP convoys while driving.
* Avoid travelling on routes and at times used by military convoys and/or VIPs.
* Avoid political rallies especially when VIPs are present.
* Avoid large crowds including during religious festivals.
Beware Barbara Moratek of the Ivete Foundation
Go to their site to read the whole post.
Colombian Hostages Talk of Captivity
Tracking Kenyan Violence
If you want even more White African has a comprehensive list of blogs covering the post-election violence.
Googling Dangers
Free Media and NGO Security
There is another reason as well. Sooner or later you and your organization are going to face a crisis. When you do there is a very good chance you are going to have to talk to the media. Independent media sites can help you find credible, non-partisan journalists who will be willing to listen objectively to your side of the story.
The FMM site also has a link to “On Assignment: A Guide to Reporting in Dangerous Situations”, a security guide for journalists working in conflict zones. Although it is intended for journalists much of the information is of value to NGOs as well. It is worth the download just for the resource links.