Combating the increasing risks faced by aid workers across the globe is a difficult balancing act:  too much overt security and aid workers risk being associated with armed forces, too little and an organisation's duty of care can be questioned.

Control Risks' humanitarian sector practice is dedicated to helping non-governmental organisations (NGOs) overcome the difficulties associated with operating in hostile environments. All of the team members come from an NGO background and understand the unique situations in which NGOs find themselves across the globe.

We also understand the need for strong and transparent codes of practice for companies that work with NGOs and we are happy to talk through our ethical conduct policy.

Our services include:

• Security programme design – taking into account the exact needs of an NGO, we can develop an international security programme. This can involve restructuring security management, writing security policies and training aid workers and local guards in low visibility security.
• Travel and personal security – we can provide a full range of services aimed at making sure that aid workers are well informed and well trained in security before they are deployed.
• International project security management – we can organise all aspects of security on an NGO's international projects. This includes liaison with government agencies and local stakeholders, oversight of local security guards, management of all travel security for key staff, and, in the event of a security incident, implementation of contingency plans and direct intervention where necessary.
• Incident response – in the event of a kidnap or the occupation of a site, we can send a consultant anywhere in the world within 24 hours to advise on negotiation and to co-ordinate response.
• Crisis management training – we can train and test an NGO's staff in crisis management. We can help prepare NGOs to deal with situations such as evacuations or major terrorist attack.