Resolution 5 : The safety and security of humanitarian volunteers | Power of humanity: Red Cross Red Crescent

National Society

Name, position and email of the focal person3

Wendy Ward (wendy.ward@redcross.org); Sydney Morton (sydney.morton@redcross.org): International Policy and Partnerships

1. What did your National Society do to provide volunteers with the best safety and security coverage?

2. What measures has your National Society taken to review potential threats to the volunteers?
Ensuring that their plans and programmes include measures to reduce and mitigate these risks / - Veiller à ce que ses plans et programmes comprennent des mesures de réduction et d’atténuation des risques / - la garantía de que en los respectivos planes y programas se incluyen medidas para reducir y mitigar esos riesgos

In late FY2017 Volunteer Services determined that it was essential to set up a cross-functional “safety review committee”. The goal of this work will be to review, and revise and then implement safety plans that include workplace safety training and awareness as well as identification and mitigation of potential safety hazards while on the job.

3. Public authorities

The American Red Cross has a national database for collecting and managing volunteer information including demographic information. Separate (but integrated) systems are also in place to manage volunteer assignments and service delivery information. The Red Cross works with government and non-governmental partners to share relevant information on best practices and lessons learned.

The American Red Cross requires a criminal background search for all volunteers that includes checks into national criminal databases. If/when results of the criminal background check indicate a legal or security threat to the organization including staff and volunteers, the volunteer applicant is released from the organization.

Other partners and stakeholders of influence

4. 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?
Yes

Please let us know what type of insurance or equivalent "safety-net" form you use

5. How can the RCRC movement better support you to enhance the safety and security of your volunteers?

6. What support did you provide to other National Societies for increasing safety and security of volunteers?
Training, Develop standards and guidance on the topic, Provision of protective equipment

7. What activities have you undertaken to facilitate partnerships towards strengthening the safety and security of volunteers?

In March 2017, ARC attended annual Security Focal Points meeting in Geneva hosted by IFRC and ICRC to discuss and collaborate on NS security surrounding: security tools off- and online; Movement security architecture (such as integration agreements); and security training development and delivery.

8. 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?

ARC volunteers deployed to the international missions are equally insured as the employees by the global emergency medical and security evacuation insurance through the International SOS services.

Attached files