Travelling safely: use multiple communication channels, including mobile apps and SMS alerts. Photo Credit: Adobe stock/Fatemeh
During this festive period when travellers are traipsing around the
globe, it pays to be mindful of heightened security concerns, given the
upsurge in social unrest and protests worldwide. Considering the global
situation, International SOS, stresses the value of having a robust
organisation risk management strategy to protect employees.
On average, the number of protests globally has increased by 11.5%
annually since 2009. With the largest concentration of activity in the
Middle East and North Africa and the fastest growth rate in sub-Saharan
Africa.
It is also reported that 23% of significant protests reported to have
lasted more than three months. As public demonstrations and mass
protests become more widespread and frequent, organisations must remain
vigilant and proactive in their approach to ensuring the safety of their
workforces.
International SOS shares five essential pieces of security advice for
organisations to safeguard their workforces when in crowded places:
· Ensure employees stay informed - provide employees with up
to-date information about potential risks. Regularly assess the security
situation by monitoring local news, government advisories, and
real-time threat intelligence.
· Create an emergency response plan - develop and communicate a
comprehensive emergency response plan for all employees. Ensure that
your workforce is well-aware of evacuation procedures and has access to
essential emergency contact information.
· Encourage vigilance - remind employees to be alert to
suspicious behaviour or items and promptly report any unusual incidents
or observations to the relevant authorities.
· Ensure employees comply with security measures - anticipate
increased security measures in urban centres, especially around key
government areas, tourist destinations and public transport hubs. Inform
employees to follow all official directives.
· Establish a robust crisis communication system - provide
employees with access to stay informed and connected during times of
unrest. Use multiple communication channels, including mobile apps and
SMS alerts, to ensure swift and reliable communication.
Risk Map 2024
International SOS recently announced its annual interactive Risk Map
2024 to help organisations and their mobile workers better understand
their global risks. It offers underlying medical and security risk
ratings reflecting the impact of disruptive events, such as the ongoing
conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas. Using data-driven
tools, it aims to help organisations to maintain their Duty of Care
responsibilities as global security, medical and climate change risks
continue to evolve.
For the first time, the Risk Map includes a layer which also outlines
climate change risks. The data provides quantified estimates of the
impacts of climate change on the future risk of humanitarian crises and
disasters. This risk index offers policy choices across climate
mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable
development and humanitarian assistance for greater resilience to the
adverse impacts of climate change. It is compiled by INFORM (a
collaboration between the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change
and Joint Research Centre of European Commission).