Do They Really Like Us: Or, Does Acceptance Lead to Security?

by Michael Bear · 2009-02-18 20:36:00 UTC
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Just to finish up this little aid worker security meme from the past few days - I think the best blog on aid worker security issues is Patronus Analytical; a view I hold even though I'm not (or at least not yet) receiving any money under the table.  One can only dream.

Anyhows, Kevin at Patronus has put up a fascinating series of posts looking at the ways in which NGOs view security.  In particular, he digs into the entire idea of acceptance - as he describes:

"In the traditional version of the acceptance approach to security an aid organization seeks to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and familiarity with beneficiaries and the host community. The idea is that beneficiaries and host community members will not target their ‘friends’ and will provide warning of impending attack by criminals or outsiders."

Which is well and good in most places, but as Kevin emphasizes, a passive approach to acceptance doesn't quite cut it in Afghanistan, or Somalia, or some of the other less attractive corners of the globe.  He then looks at what "active acceptance" actually entails, some of the limitations, and finally those factors which either inhibit or promote acceptance.

Also, in the interests of spreading the joy, there's a new site also looking at these issues - HumanitarianProtection.org focuses specifically on aid worker security, including statistics, basic guidelines, advanced guidelines (including information on survival kits, and how to behave under sniper fire), and expert guidelines (including how to behave during a nuclear explosion, or if stranded in the ocean).

[Afghan police search a vehicle after an aid worker was kidnapped in Afghanistan last year - Photo from AP]

Michael Bear
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