Interesting Re-cap
Kaushik and Ragni had a very interesting re-cap of yesterday's learnings. They used very interesting visuals, a brief lecture and a game which concentrated on bringing out gender inequities which was all geared towards their task. All in all it was a great session and hats off to the two of them for being creative and bringing in a new dimension into what was just essentially a re-cap.
Take care
Kulwinder Brar from RedR India conducted today's session on security perspectives. The objectives of the session were to understand the need of security procedures, to be able to analyse risk, to be able to analyse operating context and to be able to assess security on country visits. He then played a game called Snow Ball fight. He asked participants to write on a sheet of paper about what they thought the word 'security' meant to each one of them. Once they did that, they were asked to make the paper into a tight ball and then hit the other pariticipants with it. Once the participants had played a little then he asked each participant to collect one ball of paper each and open it. They were then asked to share whatwas written with the others in the room.
He underlined the fact that your personal behaviour underlines all aspects of security. Therefore, he said, security is a state of mind. He handed out handouts of an imaginary situation where participants were located at an unsafe place with real threat situations in various places. They were first asked to identify the areas that they were most vulnerable at and then asses their personal risk. Participants were then asked to make a presentation to present their learnings. The participants shared that women faced a higher threat than men in various situations. There was a necessity for participants to be prepared from within which would reduce personal vulnerability greatly. Access to information greatly helps reduce the vulnerability. This information can be obtained either through embassies or government agencies.
Kulwinder then played a game with the group. This was a team-coordination exercise. Participants were divided into four teams . Each team stood in a line in front of an empty bucket. A bucket filled with water was placed behind the last person with a mug. Participants had to pass the mug filled with water over the heads of the participants and fill the empty bucket in front. There would be no communication between teams during the exercise. The exercise was great fun for the participants. Banda emerged the most wet person as a giggling Shopna emptied mugs of water on him.
Key Learning Points
• A security threat is a danger in your operating environment flowing from ill intent.
• Risk is the impact a threat may have on you.
• Vulnerabliity is the extent to which you are exposed to a particular threat.
• You control some aspects fo your own vulnerability.
• Security is more about the right behaviour.
• Team effort can help build better capacities and reduce risk.
Good Security
• Keeps stafe and assets safe.
• Maintains sustainable and effective programmes.
Risk
The likelihood and impact of encountering a threat (a combination of the threat and vulnerability level)
Safety and Health Hazards in an operating environment
1. When there is a grenade thrown, never touch it and hit the ground if you feel a grenade has been thrown as it throws shrapnel at a distance of 30 metres.
2. Land mines can be set off with a pressure of a few pounds. It is best to avoid areas which are suspected to have land mines completely.
3. If you encounter a mine - do not touch, do not approach, mark it (but at a distance) and only if this is your agency policy, report it.
4. Good security involves NOT being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
At Checkpoints
1. Never make any sudden moves
2. Be patient
3. Obey all instructions
4. Be clear in your communication
Tip
Carry a water sterilization kit with you when you travel to remote areas. It takes very little space and ensures that your drinking water is safe.
Health
Always immunize yourself for Hepatitis A &B, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Rabies.
HIV/AIDS Awareness
Dr. Shalini from Bangalore Medical Services Trust conducted a short session on HIV and AIDS awareness. She explained that HIV is called the Human Immuno Deficiency virus. It is only present in human beings. It leads to AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) which is the last stage of the disease. AIDS spreads through blood transfusion or sexual intercourse or through using drugs using previously used needles or from an infected mother to a newborn child. This infection is now shifting from 'high risk' populations like truckers and prostitutes to 'low risk' general population like house wives.
HIV is a problem because it gives no indications for a very long time. It lies dormant for a period of 2 weeks to 6 months and it spreads without both partners knowledge. This period when it lies dormant is called the 'window period'. After this period is the silent infection stage, this could be from 6 to 12 years. The person will look and feel healthy but within the system a war will be goin on with the immune system. A blood test can show the existence of HIV virus at this stage. The last stage is for 6-12 months this is the stage where the patient if exposed to a simple infection like TB can die from it.
Any AIDS test should be accompanied by counselling sessions before the test and after the test. The blood test used to test for AIDS is called ELISA or Rapid HIV test.
The basic symptoms of AIDS are a significant weight loss in a month, chronic diarrhea that lasts for over a month, prolonged fever, severe TB, fungal infection in the mouth and throat. Again all these or any one of these symptoms should be supported by a blood test, only then can one confirm if the patient has AIDS or not.
There are two strains of the HIV virus - HIV1 and HIV2. HIV1 is quicker while HIV2 takes a longer time to act.
Insist on HIV tested blood, for blood transfusions and always use new blades or sterilised blades for activities like shaving etc. Abstain from sex before marriage. Be faithful to the partner and correctly and consistently use condoms.
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