UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies - UNHCR eCentre

9. The primary tool for security preparedness
is the security plan, which is the key
feature of the UN security system.
Essential Plans
10. In addition to the basic security plan,
UNHCR offices must have a medical evacuation
plan, and may have a movement control
plan and routine radio checks.
The Security Plan
11. The security plan will be country specific
and have five phases. The DO may implement
measures under Phases One and Two at his or
her own discretion, and notify the Secretary
General accordingly. Phases Three to Five will
normally be declared by the DO only with the
prior authorization of the Secretary-General.
However, if there is a breakdown in communications,
DOs may use their best judgement
with regard to the declaration of phases Three
to Five, and report to the Secretary-General as
soon as communications allow.
12. The UN security phases are:
Phase I: Precautionary
In this phase, clearance from the DO is required
prior to travel.
Phase II: Restricted Movement
This phase imposes a high level of alert on the
movements of UN staff members and their
families. During this phase all staff members
and their families will remain at home unless
otherwise instructed.
Phase III: Relocation
This phase is declared by the Secretary
General, on the advice of the DO. It includes
concentration of all international staff members
and their families, relocation of nonessential
staff and families elsewhere in, or
out, of the country. Deployment of new staff
must be authorized by the Secretary General.
Phase IV: Programme Suspension
This phase is declared by the Secretary
General, on the advice of the DO. It allows for
relocation outside the country of all international
staff not directly involved with the
emergency, humanitarian relief operations, or
security matters.
Phase V: Evacuation
This phase is declared by the Secretary
General, on the advice of the DO. The evacuation
of all international staff should be carried
out according to plans prepared beforehand.
13. The person responsible for security at
each location (DO, ASC) should draw up a
security plan within the framework of the
country security plan. This will need to be regularly
updated. Each situation will be different
and will require different levels and structuring
of the plan. Guidelines for drawing up the
plan are in the Field Security Handbook, and
copied in the Checklist for the Emergency
Administrator.
14. The following are typical headings in a
security plan:
A. Summary of the security situation at
the duty station.
B. Officials responsible for security: those
in the local area, in Geneva and in New
York, with their call signs, phone and fax
numbers.
C. List of internationally recruited staff
members and dependants. This will need to
be updated constantly, and should include
basic details such as full name, nationality,
date of birth, passport and laisser-passer
numbers with date and place of issue. A
means of tracking visiting missions should
be established. The UN Field Security Handbook
contains annexes to record this information
in a standard format; copies of
these are also found in the UNHCR Checklist
for the Emergency Administrator.
D. List and details of locally recruited staff
and their dependants. This will need to be
updated constantly.
E. Division of area into zones. Zones
should be marked on a map with the numbers
and residences of staff-members
clearly marked. The map should indicate
the warden responsible for each zone.
F. Communications. This should include
details of phone numbers, call-signs and radio
frequencies of all staff, including those
of offices in neighbouring countries.
G. Selection of co-ordination centre and
concentration points. The plan should indicate
a number of co-ordination centres and
concentration points, and should indicate
the stocks and facilities which should be
available at these points. It may not be possible
for all staff-members to reach the
same concentration point and alternatives
should be foreseen.
H. Safe haven and means for relocation
and evacuation. The plan should include in-
Staff Safety
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