About us

EISF

The European Interagency Security Forum (EISF) is an independent network of Security Focal Points who represent European-based humanitarian NGOs operating internationally.

EISF is committed to improving the safety and security of relief operations and staff, by strengthening risk management in a way that allows greater access to and impact for crisis-affected populations.

EISF was created to encourage a more prominent role for security management in international humanitarian operations. It provides a space for NGOs collectively to improve security management practice, and facilitates exchange between members and other bodies such as the UN, institutional donors, research institutions, and training providers.

EISF fosters dialogue, coordination, and documentation of current security management practice through biannual meetings, workshops, research, and contextual alerts .


Background

The Forum emerged in late 2006 as an ad hoc, loose alliance of security managers from several European NGOs. It was formalised with the appointment of a part-time Coordinator in early 2008, and institutionalised with the receipt of a DFID grant in April 2009, which allowed for the appointment of two full-time staff. EISF is currently part-funded by the Swiss Agency for Develeopment and Cooperation (SDC), and part-funded by the Office for US Foreign Disaster Assistance, with remaining funding coming from member contributions.

EISF now consists of over 50 NGO members, who all deliver humanitarian assistance in insecure environments, as well as 5 honorary members, ranging from institutional donors to Red Cross societies. These organisations represent many more national and international staff in field locations, and a wide range of national actors working in partnership with EISF members.

EISF has forged strong relationships with all members, as well as with UNDSS, UNOCHA, NGO platforms and consortia in Europe, North America and further a field, institutional donors and the research community.


Vision

EISF is to act as an independent and impartial Forum for collaboration and information exchange on security issues among the European international humanitarian community.


EISF's vision is to become a global reference point for applied practice, collective knowledge and current challenges in security management for humanitarian agencies and their staff.

Knowledge exchange, combined with structured analysis and external advocacy, will enable EISF to continue to challenge the international community and humanitarian agencies to incorporate security risk management into all organisational activities, in order to achieve higher impact in the delivery of humanitarian assistance.