Crisis Management and Prevention Guidelines

The Global Connections guidelines for crisis management and prevention are designed to assist dealing both with critical incidents and also when working in high-risk situations. They are designed to apply to any UK based organisation or UK churches sending staff or volunteers overseas. The principles should be applied to all types of staff such as mission partners, volunteers working overseas, national staff and UK staff visiting field locations. Agencies and churches should also apply them in all contexts, both long and short term, although some different procedures might be needed in each context. Some of these guidelines have been formed specifically with high-risk areas in mind, but most of the principles can also be useful in lower risk situations and wherever or whenever crises arise.

No area of the world or working situation is completely risk-free and crises and accidents can happen in any location. However, some mission partners live in high-risk areas of the world where they could be susceptible to insecurity, violence and even kidnapping. They do not normally carry weapons or have guards and this can add another dimension to any proposed response.

Quite obviously, if an attack on mission partners were to be successful, with money being handed over or political demands being conceded, cross-cultural work in some areas of the world might become more impracticable.

Anticipating and preparing for crisis situations is an essential first step to dealing with them. Safety and security is extremely important and therefore Global Connections has formulated these guidelines in consultation with its members. Safety and security must be the responsibility of all staff and they must be equally committed to the process to ensure success.

It is impossible to provide “off the shelf” policies and procedures that fit all locations, circumstances and the needs of all groups. This set of guidelines has therefore been developed which are designed to help agencies and churches think through and develop their own agreed policies and procedures.

All UK agencies should appoint a representative (or team) who is responsible throughout the agency for the management of a crisis situation. They should also ensure that the agency develops and implements its crisis management policies and procedures which should be consistent with the standards set out in these guidelines. Agencies that are part of an international structure should ensure the Head Office has appropriate policies and procedures in place and that the UK office is an integral part of any procedures.

Use the links below to read specific sections or click here to download a copy.

Section 1 - Aims and Objectives of a Crisis Management Policy

Section 2 - Selection & Appointment, Induction & Arrival and Ongoing Supervision

Section 3 - Being Prepared

Section 4 - Crisis Procedure

Section 5 - Communications Procedure in a Crisis

Section 6 - Debriefing and Counselling

Appendix 1 - Some Definitions

Appendix 2 - Definition of a Crisis