Frequently Asked Questions about safety and security with Global Brigades
What Kind of Security and Staff Is Provided?
Every group is accompanied by at least one trained Brigade Coordinator, a full logistics team, and trained drivers. While in the partner community, Brigade Coordinators maintain a professional and safe work environment for the volunteers and the community.
All coordinators are trained to assist with first aid emergencies. Special transportation is on-call 24/7 during the Brigade in case of major emergencies or a complete evacuation.
We also have some great partnerships that add a layer to our security protocols:
- Honduras: Through a partnership with the Honduran Government’s Office of Attention to Foreign Volunteers (Oficina de Asistencia al Voluntario Extranjero), all groups are accompanied by a police officer as a precautionary measure.
- Panama: Through a partnership with the National Frontier Service, or SENAFRONT, all groups in the Darien region are accompanied by a police officer as a precautionary measure.
- Guatemala: Our partnership with the Guatemalan government provides support to international volunteers through Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo (INGUAT).
What Is the Relationship Between the Local Entity and the Police?
Global Brigades partners with government entities to run our programs sustainably. We have strong relationships with authorities in the countries we work in and all authorities are aware and supportive of volunteer activities.
- Honduras: Global Brigades Honduras maintains relationships with local security actors such as the national police and the army. All Global Brigades volunteers receive in-country support from the government’s Office of Attention to Foreign Volunteers (Oficina de Asistencia al Voluntario Extranjero). This includes expedited customs processing and security support from the national police for the duration of all Brigades. The Honduran government and the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa are aware of international volunteers in Honduras and provide support as needed in the event of any emergency.
- Panama: Global Brigades Panama maintains relationships with local Panamanian police. These authorities and the Panamanian government are aware and supportive of volunteer activities and have worked with us for years to support volunteers. Global Brigades’ community projects are done in rural areas where crime is low and relationships have been long established.
- Greece: Global Brigades Greece maintains relationships with the Greek government, the Municipality of Athens, the American Embassy in Greece, and other NGOs in assisting refugees. This includes the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These authorities are aware and supportive of volunteer activities and collaborate with us in strengthening programs through regular NGO working group meetings.
What Is the Involvement of the U.S. Embassy and Department of State?
Before each Brigade, all U.S. volunteers are registered in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Global Brigades' in-country entities are in close contact with the U.S. Embassy and are notified of any safety advisories.
Global Brigades is also a member of the OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council), from whom we receive the latest travel safety and security updates. These updates help us make key decisions regarding our Brigade operations in-country.
What Criteria Does Global Brigades Use When Selecting Transportation Vendors?
All vendors must be in full compliance with local laws and regulations required by the government to transport passengers. All vehicles provided must be recent models and in excellent working condition. Global Brigades only works with established vendors who have extensive experience in passenger transportation.
- Honduras: All drivers must possess the appropriate special driver’s license required by the Honduran government that qualifies them to drive provided buses. To obtain this license, drivers must pass a special driving test administered by the government.
- Greece: Due to the high standards of the European Union and intense competition in the tourism industry, most Greek transportation companies are already at a high level of excellence. Our transportation in Greece receives the highest marks of approval from volunteers.
- Guatemala: All drivers must have the appropriate driver’s license qualifying them to drive the types of buses provided. In order to obtain this license, drivers have to pass a special driving test administered by the government.
Are the Communities Safe?
Before entering a community, the Global Brigades Research and Evaluation (R&E) team collects baseline data, assesses community needs, and secures buy-in from the local leadership. Each community is visited by the operations team of the local Global Brigades office to ensure it is secure and safe for transporting volunteers to and from the community. If the in-country leadership team ever feels that the safety of volunteers is compromised in any way, volunteers would be immediately withdrawn from the community.
How Accessible Are the Communities?
All communities must be accessible through paved roads or well-maintained dirt roads for summer travel by normal vehicles or four-wheel drive. The driving time to the location varies between approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours from where the volunteers are staying.
In Greece, the Global Brigades clinic is located in the center of Athens, the capital. It is accessible by a 10-minute walk from the lodging facility. The clinic is accessible by public transport (e.g. bus or metro) from various points in the city.
Have There Ever Been Any Incidents Related to Criminal Activity?
Global Brigades has an exceptional track record for Brigade security because of the involvement of local law enforcement, hired security, and strong relationships with local community leaders. Groups have only experienced incidents typical of any international travel, such as petty theft. Global Brigades has not experienced any incidents related to criminal activity in any of our programming countries.
Are Volunteers Ever Alone?
Volunteers are never alone. Global Brigades staff remain with all groups for the entire duration of their Brigade. All volunteers are given explicit directives to remain with their group at all times during the program.
What if the Group Has to Be Evacuated?
All program countries have detailed evacuation plans in place in the event volunteers need to be removed from the program site or country due to an emergency. All volunteers are covered by the Global Brigades travel insurance policy. The in-country Program Associates will work with the Brigade Coordinators, local embassy, and airlines to ensure that the group departs immediately and safely.
Who Do I Contact in Case of an Emergency?
If there is an emergency situation where the family needs to reach a volunteer, please use the team member contacts listed below:
Emergency Travel Contact:
Global Brigades International Office, +1-206-489-4798, or email admin@globalbrigades.org
Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala Contact:
Luis Torres – Executive Director of Global Brigades Honduras, +504-9488-7997 (accessible via WhatsApp)
Panama Contact:
Pablo Garron – Executive Director, +507-6151-6288 (accessible via WhatsApp)
Ghana Contact:
Shafiu Shaibu – Operations Director, +233 20 032 3146 (accessible via WguahatsApp)
Greece Contact:
Kyriakos Halaris – Executive Director, +30 694-738-8847 (accessible via WhatsApp)
What if a Volunteer Gets Ill During a Brigade?
With common, non-urgent illnesses, volunteers can be seen by a staff paramedic or physician. In severe cases or by request of the volunteer, Global Brigades can arrange communication with family members or transportation back to the volunteer’s home country. Depending on the severity or nature of the illness, transportation home may be partially or fully covered by Global Brigades’ travel insurance.