Safety on assignment

Managing risk situations

The safety of patients and staff is always our highest priority. Of course, not all risks can be avoided, but we do everything we can to minimize them. We have strict safety protocols in place.

We conduct a thorough risk analysis before and during the opening of every new project. For each MSFproject, we establish specific and detailed security protocols, define strategies and put in place essential security measures and obligations. These protocols take into account the types of risks our staff face and establish mandatory procedures for a variety of security threats.

You can find out more about the security measures on our projects below, in more detail at the Information Evenings, and afterwards during discussions about specific projects.

Security measures

All internationally mobile staff must comply with the established security measures. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from your assignment.

Working for our organisation is a voluntary decision, and those applying should carefully consider these risks.

By choosing to work for MSF, you accept our decision to operate in an environment with multiple security risks and precautions.

© Isabel Corthier / Lékaři bez hranic

Risk levels

To understand the different levels of security measures, it helps to categorise our projects according to their level of risk.

1. Low risk
   On low-risk projects, security measures do not need to be as extensive. There is usually no curfew, staff can use public transport, and they can travel within the country on leave.
2. Medium risk
   Many MSF projects have a medium risk level. Depending on the situation, the following measures may be appropriate: curfew (during certain hours), restriction on movement, and visible identification as an MSF staff.
   In medium-risk situations, internationally mobile staff will often be required to report their whereabouts and carry appropriate communication devices (e.g. radios or mobile phones) at all times. In some contexts, extensive cultural briefings and specific codes of behaviour are required to help acceptance with the local communities and avoid security risks. Examples could include restrictions on alcohol consumption and dress codes among others.
   When working for MSF, you are automatically seen by those around you as a representative of the organisation, and your words and actions affect not only your safety, but also the safety of the rest of the team. There is no respite from this responsibility when working with MSF.
3. High risk
   On high-risk missions, staff movement may be severely restricted, and strict security measures must be followed without exception.
   In some situations, it may be necessary to temporarily suspend activities and travel to a safer location. In most cases, it is possible to return and resume work once the situation has calmed down.
   In extreme cases, the security situation may escalate to the point where evacuation is not safe. In such situations, it is often safer to remain in place rather than evacuate. In these cases, we always minimize risk with safety measures based on the specific situation.

Hierarchy of responsibility

Internationally mobile staff must comply with their project’s applicable security regulations and measures . There is a clear hierarchy of responsibility for security matters.

The project coordinator is responsible for the safety of the team at project level. The project leader is responsible for the security of the entire MSF projects (i.e. all facets of the project) in a given country. Overall responsibility lies with the operational centre that manages the project.

Medical staff, together with the medical coordinator based in the country's capital, share responsibility for the health of staff members.

Team members must follow coordinators’ instructions at all times.

Personal responsibility

Due to the nature of the safety measures we have put in place, everyone on the team has a certain level of responsibility which they share with other members of the organisation.

In addition to this shared responsibility, staff must be able to assess the potential negative impact of their words or actions on their own situation and on others. This assessment is an integral part of our work.

If you do not feel comfortable with the security situation in a particular location, you may leave the project as soon as the project coordinator or leader deems it safe.

We will discuss all precautions with you before each trip, and you will receive all necessary instructions during the project, but the ultimate responsibility for following safety guidelines is always yours. 

MSF never delegates responsibility for the safety of our staff to other organisations.