Staying Safe During Protests, Civil Unrest and Riots
In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, the reality of protests, riots and civil unrest could arise at short notice.
Civil unrest can happen in any country, and manifest in various forms, from minor organised protests to significant demonstrations or riots.
Violent protests or riots can be triggered by factors such as geopolitical tensions, economic instability, or social factors, deciding how to navigate such situations requires careful preparation and awareness.
While it’s uncommon for travellers or expatriates to be specifically targetted, simply being in the vicinity of protests or standing out to the demonstrators can heighten your chances of being affected.
If you are travelling for business or leisure, it is important to understand how to respond to such situations for safety and peace of mind.
This guide provides essential tips and strategies to help mitigate the chances of being caught in civil unrest and, if necessary, how to respond effectively.
Protecting Yourself During Civil Unrest, Protests and Riots
The most effective way to stay safe is to monitor public calls to action, travel risk apps such as Solace Secure and avoid areas where protests are likely to occur. Even peaceful gatherings can turn violent or face aggressive security responses. Bystanders may be injured or detained by security forces using water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, or other crowd control measures.
In some countries, foreign nationals participating in political demonstrations may face legal repercussions.
Awareness
- Research Local Dynamics: Before your journey, stay informed about local issues that may fuel unrest, such as political decisions sparking protests. If you have access to a travel security platform such as Solace Secure, consult the latest alerts and your provider’s advisory service, if available, for an up-to-date assessment. (Solace Secure will be used as the example travel risk management risk platform for the rest of the guidance)
- Plan Your Journey: Avoid areas prone to demonstrations. Consider using security services for key areas of journey management with the necessary security escorts and secure drivers. Advice can be provided to assess this risk from the Response Operators at Solace Global.
- Stay Informed: Keep updated with local news and alerts from sources like Solace Secure. Seek advice from locals to avoid protest areas.
Actions to Take If Caught in a Protest or Riot
Immediate Response
- In a Crowd: If caught in a crowd, avoid drawing attention and move away calmly from dense or violent areas. Move to a pre-assigned location where possible.
- In a Vehicle: If driving, leave the area calmly if safe to do so, avoiding direct confrontation with protesters. If safer on foot, abandon the vehicle promptly.
- Seek Shelter: Find shelter away from protest zones and avoid potentially targeted buildings. Move to a safe location as soon as possible.
Communication
- Notify your organisation: If travelling for business, use the platform’s SOS function for immediate assistance once you are safe.
- Stay vigilant: Only head to departure points if confirmed safe and ensure that you remain observant for any changes in situation, maintaining good contact with your operations centre for situational updates.
Corporate Duty of Care to Ensure Employee Safety
For businesses, navigating the risks associated with civil unrest when sending employees on travel assignments is important. Ensuring the safety and well-being of personnel helps maintain operational continuity and fulfills duty of care obligations.
Proactive Measures
- Maintain Awareness: Monitor political, social, and economic developments in regions where employees travel. Reliable intelligence sources and tools like Solace Secure provide real-time updates to keep organisations informed.
- Risk Tolerance: Evaluate whether operating in locations prone to uncertainty aligns with the company’s unique risk tolerance.
Structured Response
- Clear Protocols: Establish procedures for monitoring employee safety and initiating support and evacuation plans if necessary.
- Tracking and Communication: Use Solace Secure’s tracking and communication solutions for quick response times, enabling effective assistance during emergencies.
Communication
- Emergency Notifications: Utilise platforms like Solace Secure for multi-channel emergency notifications providing real-time information and instructions to travellers.
- Safety Advisories: Communicate safety advisories, evacuation procedures, and updates on local conditions promptly to enable informed decision-making and ensure safety.
By implementing these measures, both travellers and businesses can mitigate the chances of being caught in civil unrest and respond effectively if such situations arise. For a detailed discussion on this guidance on Solace Global’s travel risk management platform, contact us now.
Protecting your people during uncertainty
Solace Global Risk is a leading provider of comprehensive risk management solutions, serving clients globally with a commitment to excellence. Our team of seasoned experts, empowers organisations to navigate complex risk landscapes with confidence and resilience.
Journey Risk Management
Global Security and Threat Intelligence
Risk Management Software
Your duty of care doesn’t end the moment your people set foot in their destination – and neither does ours.
From transfers to ongoing security and emergency evacuations, our travel risk services always have you covered.
Arm yourself with the knowledge to avoid a potential threat from turning into a crisis. Intelligence advisories give you tailored reports to anticipate possible disruptions, mitigate risk and help you make well-informed decisions, faster.
Give your people peace of mind when they travel for work, so they remain focused on the job at hand. We mitigate risks, manage incidents if they occur, and support your people with security advice or help in a crisis.
Learn more about protective services for civil unrest
Speak to our risk management team today