World: Safe Programming in Humanitarian Responses: A guide to managing risk

Country: World Source: Oxfam Please refer to the attached file. Overview The Safe Programming booklet outlines the safe programming approach, which exists to prevent harm in our work as Oxfam, centring the needs of communities and partners to be safe to participate. The simple risk assessment (Safe Programming Risk Assessment) is a suggested tool to complete the mandatory process of identifying and acknowledging risks in every activity we do as Oxfam. You can use this tool as a guide for a broader process. INTRODUCTION All Oxfam humanitarian responses must include proactive measures to ensure we do not inadvertently cause harm to people, nor undermine the values, standards and norms that underpin our work. Humanitarian work takes place in high-risk environments. Actively managing actual and potential risks enables us to do this work more effectively and safely. Managing risks systematically helps us monitor trends, avoid ‘knee-jerk’ reactions, and helps us plan for likely scenarios. Demonstrating that we understand and are actively managing risk builds confidence with the communities with whom we work, as well as our colleagues, partners and donors. Most of all, it means we can do more to help people in crisis situations without inadvertently causing harm. Managing risk is an ongoing process. Tools such as the quick and simple risk matrix (see page 8) help guide and record the process. Such written risk matrices allow analyses to be reviewed and updated over the course of a response, can be used for briefing incoming staff, and allow staff to document and learn from experience. However, managing risk involves much more than filling in forms—the core of effective risk management is the actions taken.

Original source: Relief Web