United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS)
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Somalia continues to be a dangerous working environment for UN staff. The UN's presence is restricted because of inter/intra clan violence, political divisions leading to conflict and the ever present threat of terrorism. As a consequence, the UN operation for Somalia is a ‘cross border operation’ based in Nairobi, Kenya and relies essentially on the vital ‘air-bridge’ provided by UNCAS – the UN Common Air Service.

Fighting among rival clans over territorial boundaries; grazing and water rights and the control of specific areas is a frequent occurrence. Illegal roadblocks continue to be set up in order to extort money from travelers, while landmines (a legacy of previous conflicts) continue to maim and kill innocents. These ‘traditional’ threats are compounded by the current political and ideological divisions that have led to conflict in Mogadishu and primarily the South of Somalia in recent months which has led to high volume population displacements, interrupted trade and a significant increase in banditry. Notwithstanding these difficulties, UN agencies and their NGO Implementing partners continue to deliver aid to all parts of Somalia where safe and negotiated access can be arranged.

UN Security Strategy in Somalia

The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS NY) has assigned a team of international and national security professionals to Somalia. The majority of these security professionals (UNDSS Somalia) are based at duty-stations in designated Security Areas inside Somalia. UNDSS also has a headquarters element based in Nairobi to manage the operation and to advise the UN humanitarian and political communities operating within Somalia.

The UNDSS international ‘Field Security Coordination Officers’(FSCOs) based inside Somalia authorize and monitor the travel of UN staff in the country, conduct security assessments, prepare contingency plans and direct emergency security operations, including relocation and evacuation.

The UNDSS Chief Security Advisor (CSA) and his Deputy (DSA) plus a Training Officer (TO) are based in Nairobi and retain responsibility for the security of UN national staff in Somalia. In addition, they direct and supervise security activities and support the FSCOs in their daily security management overseeing logistical and administrative requirements.

The Local Security Assistants (LSAs) support the FSCOs in all aspects of their security duties, providing an essential link with the local community in their respective areas. LSAs also act as interpreters and offer vital security support to UN national staff members in areas where international staff have been withdrawn due to security considerations.

The UN follows the principle of prudent risk management in its operations in Somalia. Risk is reduced through the strict application of a comprehensive security policy that attempts to mitigate risk by the implementation of precautionary security measures. If the security situation in a particular area worsens, UN staff may be relocated to other secure parts of Somalia where they can monitor their projects to the best of their ability. In some extreme instances the security situation can demand that UN staff be evacuated to Nairobi.

The objectives of UNDSS in Somalia are to:

• Prevent loss of life or injury among UN staff.
• Protect UN assets, resources and facilities.
• Establish contingency plans for emergency security operations in Somalia.
• Provide the UN and the humanitarian community with information on the prevalent security situation and possible threat scenarios.
• Provide UN staff and International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs) with security advice where appropriate.
• Conduct security and safety training to enable appropriate reaction to a crisis.

Contacts:
Joe Gordon (UNDSS CSA)
Tel: +254 20 418 3640/2/3/4 (Exchange)
Fax: +254 20 418 3641

Arve Skog (UNDSS DSA)
Tel: +254 20 418 3640/2/3/4 (Exchange)
Fax: +254 20 418 3641