UN Security Risk Assessment: Published on 17 Mar 2010

The UN has initiated a security risk assessment (SRA) to determine the current security phase of Aceh area.

The security management of this area is being coordinated by UN Department of safety and security (UNDSS). The United Nations employs five specific security phases to describe those security measures to be implemented based on the prevailing security conditions in a given country or in parts of a country. These five phases are standard for all duty stations and will be included in all Security Plans of UN as well as other major NGOs.

The five Phases of the Security Plan are:

Phase One: Precautionary: All travel into the duty station requires advance clearance from the Designated Official.
Phase Two: Restricted movement: Travel is restricted and only essential travels are
permitted
Phase Three: Relocation: Relocation of staff and dependents to alternate locations, only essential staff are permitted.
Phase Four: Programme suspension: Only emergency or humanitarian relief operations are conducted
Phase Five: Evacuation: Secretary General declares evacuation of all internationally recruited staff.

While the UN security management applies only to UN agencies, a number of NGOs adopt it for their own security management. So, there will be an active participation of all the major NGO’s in the security risk assessment. We are currently in security phase three, which is non family duty station. If the security level is decreased to two, then UN allows families to join the staff. NGOs also slowly allow the families
depending on the budget availability, and other internal considerations.

So, from June/ July, we will not be eligible for ‘Rest and Relaxation’ benefits, but will get extra paid holidays as a compensation.