Juba, 23 March 2018 – WHO conducted Safe and Secure Approaches to Field Environments (SSAFE) training in Juba, South Sudan.

The three-day training which commenced on Tuesday, 20 March 2018 involved theoretical and practical phases. Training modules included Introduction and Overview, UN Security Management System, Personal Security Awareness, Stress Management, Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) and Mine Awareness, Radio Communication Procedures, Travel/Mission Security Procedures, Survival as a Hostage, Basic First Aid and Firefighting, Disease Outbreak Response standard operating procedures, Infection Prevention and Control.

The training led by WHO Field Security Officer and supported by UNMISS Security Training and Development Unit (STDU) brought together 25 participants drawn from different United Nations Agencies, Funds, and Programme in South Sudan.

Our staffs are deployed in a hostile environment, says Mr Michael Tukuru, WHO Operations Officer for South Sudan, who attended the training.  Understanding the existing local threats, knowing how to reduce risks as well as the security rules and procedures are vital to stay safe, Mr Tukuru underscored.

As violence continues to spread, major attacks in South Sudan has now become a daily occurrence. In the last two years, three WHO employees killed as a result of the ongoing conflict.

“SSAFE training will help humanitarian workers to increase their personal security awareness and understand measures that can be taken to manage risks in hostile environment”, says Mr Erick Maniego, Field Security Officer for WHO South Sudan.

SSAFE is a mandatory training developed by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in collaboration with UN Systems Staff College (UNSSC) for humanitarian workers travelling to, living in and operating in hostile or hazardous environments.