Recent news of the murder of charity worker, Gayle Williams, in Afghanistan highlights the increasingly dangerous environments in which relief workers are finding themselves. In a worrying trend that looks set to continue, aid workers are now becoming the direct targets of attacks. Disaster relief training charity, RedR, believes it is important for aid agencies and aid workers to be ever more alert to the dangers they face.

"Security is everyone's responsibility but agencies should ensure their staff know how to deal with the various security threats they may encounter" says security expert and Security Programme Manager at RedR, Erin Noordeloos: "It is vital for relief workers to understand the people, culture and conflict environment they are working in. It is also important to constantly reassess the situation, even if someone has been working in a country for a long period of time."

The security of aid agency staff is no longer assured by the banner of a humanitarian organisation, or in some cases, a long history of working in the region. RedR runs security training in both Darfur, Sudan and Sri Lanka, two areas which have recently seen an increase in insecurity. In 2008, the figure for NGO fatalities is the highest on record. In Darfur alone, according to the UN's Darfur Humanitarian Profile, in the first six months of this year, 10 humanitarians have been killed against 13 during the whole year 2007.

The current targeting of relief workers puts charities in a difficult position. "Ultimately agencies have a responsibility to provide aid to the people affected by conflict and disaster", comments Noordeloos: "Current conditions and insecurities make it increasingly difficult for agencies to operate, meaning more lives are put at risk. In order to fulfil their responsibilities to those affected, agencies want to continue working in insecure environments. We therefore can't eradicate the risks but we can take steps to mitigate the insecurity aid agency staff face."