Working in a High-Risk

Environment

Learn how to identify threats and provide information on avoiding

and dealing with each.

Civil Disturbance

Note to Learners
The information and guidelines contained in this course are for general information purposes only.
Reliance on any information or guidelines is therefore at the user’s sole risk. If you rely on any
information or apply any guidelines contained in the course, you do so at your own risk and Save
the Children will have no responsibility or liability under any circumstances.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 1

Civil Disturbance
Civil unrest, mob violence, looting and general disorder can occur in many countries. In some
cases, aid programmes or the actions of its staff members may be the very reason for the unrest.
Resentment and frustration over the lack of access to essential services may result in staff being
attacked, agency assets looted and disruption of ALL communication, including mobile phones and
internet.

Reducing Exposure
Thoughtful behaviour of staff and effective programming can considerably reduce the likelihood of
being a direct target of demonstration or unrest. Some measures which can help in minimizing the risk
include:

Relocation
If tensions are increasing and you seem to be at risk, consider relocating to a safe location.

Restrict Vehicle Movement

Restrict the movement of vehicles during periods of unrest. Park vehicles inside the compound at a
safe location away from the troubled areas.

Monitor Sources of Information

Gather information and develop an awareness of the situation through local media or by talking to
your local colleagues. Escalating tensions are usually evident well before they erupt into something
more serious.

Monitor Demonstrations

Monitor trends of unrest/riots and demonstrations and how these might impact your operations,
staff, and assets. Try to determine the purpose and motive behind the unrest and whether these
demonstrations may lead to violence.

Move Valuables to a Safer Location

Move valuables (computers, radios, satellite phones, etc.) from offices and residences to a more
secure location if your organisation is vulnerable or specifically targeted.

Remove Logos from Buildings

If your organisation has a good level of acceptance, having a logo on a building or vehicle may protect
you and your colleagues. However, if your organisation is deemed a target, then consider removing the
logos when possible.

Reduce Exposure

Limit exposure to demonstration or rallies by remaining at residences or offices. Keep away from the
windows and doors. Keep buildings locked from the inside and restrict all types of movement during
the hours of disturbance.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 2

 Dealing with Incidents
You may have to deal with civil disturbance while in a building, as well as traveling on foot, or by
vehicle.

Within a Building

• Seek advice from staff and other agencies on what is happening

and assess risks.

• Contact other staff and agencies at risk.

• Ensure that all gates, doors and windows are locked. Instruct
guards not to open the gate unless physically threatened.

• If you plan to defuse the situation, invite a few representatives of

the group to the compound to discuss their grievances. Remember
to remain calm, listen attentively, be respectful, and avoid making
promises.

• Think carefully before attempting to defuse the situation if the

building is besieged by an angry crowd. Consider evacuating
the building from another exit if the crowd appears violent. If
evacuation is not possible, move to a safe room or shelter.

• Do not resist if you are being looted. Evacuate the building in case
the situation escalates.

While Walking

• Seek information on what is happening.

• Keep your organisation informed of your location, movements, and

the situation.

• Quickly move away from the area of unrest. Seek shelter with
another agency, an embassy, local hospital, religious building, or
with a willing local resident.

• Act passive but calm if you are confronted by an angry crowd. If

possible and appropriate, identify yourself as an aid worker and try
to defuse the situation. Do not resist any demands.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 3

 While Driving

• Lock the doors.

• Do not get out of the vehicle unless forced or to escape danger. Do

not resist being removed.

• Stop the vehicle, carefully turn around, and proceed to a safe

location.

• Inform your organisation of your location and what is happening.

• Remain calm if the crowd prevents your vehicle from leaving. If

possible and appropriate, identify yourself as an aid worker and try
to defuse the situation.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 4

 Crossfire

Cover and Concealment

Crossfire refers to the shooting between individuals or combatants using firearms. This places you at the
risk of being hit by a stray bullet.

Concealment and cover are necessary to protect yourself. The degree of cover provided by the objects in
our surroundings varies greatly and depends on the material type and its density.

Although softer objects like bushes, small plants, or trees conceal you from shooters, they do not block
bullets. Hard objects like boulders and thick concrete walls or metal sheets not only conceal you, but also
provide better cover because they better block bullets.

Minimising Your Risk

These measures can reduce your risk of being caught in crossfire and being injured.

Be Alert for Potential Targets

• Military checkpoints and buildings, convoys, and personnel

• Government buildings

• Banks and other financial hubs

• Buildings used by insurgents

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 5

 Identify Areas of Armed Conflict

Avoid areas known for conflict currently and in the past.

Survey Your Surroundings

Continually survey your surroundings and be aware of the

possible objects around you that provide cover and concealment.

Practice Your Reaction to Crossfire

Rehearse mentally and physically the actions to be taken when

caught in a crossfire. Get down on the ground immediately and
start crawling towards the closest cover.

Adhere to Site Protection Procedures

Follow your organisation’s site protection procedures. These

could involve keeping doors and windows locked, closing
curtains, and switching off lights when there is a possible threat
in and around the building. Practise evacuation procedures.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 6

Dealing with an Accident
You may get caught in crossfire while in a building, as well as traveling on foot, or by vehicle.

Within a Building
• Keep clear of windows and doors. Resist the urge to look out.

• Do not go out on balconies, roofs, or in courtyards.

• Lie down and crawl behind a concrete wall or seek protection in a bathroom, basement, or under
the staircase.

• Wait until the shooting has ceased before leaving the cover to seek information on the situation.

While Walking

• Drop quickly to the ground and lie flat.

• Stay low and move to immediate cover and concealment when there is a pause in shooting.

• Observe the reaction of the people around you and try to determine what is happening.

• Decide whether it is possible and safe to move to another location away from the conflict.

While Driving

• Drive quickly but safely away from the area if the road ahead is clear.

• Turn around slowly to indicate your peaceful intent, then drive to a safer location if the shooting is
ahead.

• Stop the vehicle, get out, and seek cover and concealment away from the vehicle. Crouching behind
the vehicle will not protect you.

• Lie flat on the ground if you come under direct fire.

• Observe the reaction of the people around you and try to determine what is happening.

• Decide whether it is possible and safe to move to another location away from the conflict.

• Make sure the firing has ceased before returning to the vehicle.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 7

 Landmines, Unexploded
Ordnance (UXOs), and
Improvised Explosive

Landmines, Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs), and Improvised

Explosive Devices (IEDs)
The threat of landmines, UXOs, and IEDs is very common and dangerous. The effects of these
explosives are far-reaching and remain long after the conflict has ceased.

Landmines

• Found in metal, plastic, and wood casing.

• Anti-personnel mines are small and designed to injure or kill an individual. They can disable a
vehicle.

• Anti-tank mines are large and designed to disable/destroy armoured vehicles.

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Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs)

• Aircraft bombs, rockets, artillery shells

• Could explode at any time

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

• Many forms, ranging from a small pipe bomb to a sophisticated device capable of causing
massive damage and loss of life.

• A “homemade” bomb and/or destructive device used to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or

distract.

• Can be carried or delivered in a vehicle; carried, placed, or thrown by a person; delivered in a

package; or concealed on the roadside.

Identifying the Presence of Potential Explosives

Aid agency staff should be aware of signs, both obvious and hidden, indicating the presence of mines
and UXOs.

Sign with a red triangle and the word mine. Usually near a barbed wire fence.

Small stones painted in red and white.

Battlefield bunkers, barbed wire, ammunition dumps, helmets, destroyed military vehicles,
abandoned weapons, and other evidence of previous fighting.

Traces of previous explosions such as small round craters.

Animal or human remains, scraps of clothing, or similar signs indicating casualties of a mine blast.

Abandoned buildings and vehicles.

Overgrown and uncultivated fields.

Out-of-place colours or shapes, exposed circular rims, and metallic or plastic surfaces.

Bushes, branches, or objects that seem out of place.

Taut, partly buried, or tangled thin-gauge wire or filament (similar to fishing line). NEVER pull on
exposed wires.

© Copyright 2020 Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation 9

Responding to Victims in a Mined Area

Never immediately approach injured individuals as it is common for people to be killed or injured
themselves while attempting a rescue. Also, the initial explosion may have exposed other devices.
Instead, staff should assess the situation and call for help before taking any action.

Guidelines for Responding

Follow these guidelines if you see a mine casualty.

9 Do not rush to help, even if the victim is screaming. The initial explosion may have exposed other
devices or the victim’s body may be concealing untriggered mines.

9 Reassure the victim and tell them to remain still.

9 Assess the victim’s injuries from a distance.

9 Call for assistance using a radio, but further away from the scene to prevent accidentally triggering
an explosion.

9 Attempt to pull the victim to safety using a rope if they can assist in their own rescue.

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