When The Dessert Makes Waves

by Ionut Voicu

The bone-rattling crunch of the landing gear on the El Geneina (West Darfur, Sudan) unpaved runway jolts me back to reality. A wave of red sand crashes the plane's almost opaque windows in what might be a Sahara's harsh embrace. Hi, my friend, glad to see you too.

As a UN Security Officer, this scene is all too familiar – the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach, the weight of the unknown pressing down. Volatile security, political tensions, and the language barrier formed a familiar recipe for unease.

But this time, the unease curdles into apprehension. Unexpected waves of water, unleashed by storms in Chad mountains, were sweeping through the town, disappearing into the mighty desert and disrupting the crucial connection between El Geneina and the airport. A surrealist painting of disaster lays in front of my eyes. Wrecked trucks, water tanks and local vehicles all scattered on the dried river bed that is used as passage between town and airport.

But amidst the chaos, a single source of solace: the UN Travel Advisory System. It's my silent guardian, a lifeline in a sea of unknowns. Imagine it – a comprehensive database, a digital map charting the treacherous terrain of global travel risks.

This system isn't a mere collection of facts and figures. It's a living, breathing entity, constantly updated with the latest security advisories. Every potential danger, from armed conflicts, weather hazards to petty theft, is meticulously documented. Cultural nuances are woven into the fabric of information, ensuring I navigate unfamiliar customs with respect.

Finding safe haven isn't left to chance. The system meticulously identifies secure accommodations and reliable transportation options, a shield against the potential dangers lurking in the shadows. It's a virtual network of safe houses, a roadmap to navigate the labyrinthine streets of a foreign city.

But the system doesn't abandon me once my boots hit the ground. A network of local UN security officials stands vigilant, their contact numbers a reassuring presence in my pocket. They become my best advisers, monitoring my movements through a complex web of communication, a very efficient safety net in case of emergencies.

And this was one of them. While the day before, 6 Peacekeepers lost their lives in the last flash flood trying to save the refugees, my mission was to secure the visit of a Conflict Mediation Delegation aimed to stabilise the security situation. Of course, it is easy to declare a no-go area but how you solve the moral dilemma:  more people may die in the conflict in the following days if you don't take the risk to meet the parties or you may very well be caught by a flash wave...and the conflict will continue. So, there is no other way than accomplish the mission, secure a safe passage for officials so they can accomplish theirs, to prevent conflict and save lives.

Having a dedicated team working around the clock to keep us instantly updated and reliable partners on the ground fosters a sense of calm, allowing you to focus on the mission at hand. It's the difference between a traveler burdened by apprehension and a confident professional ready to navigate the complexities of a conflict zone.

This is the power of a robust travel security management system. It's the shield that deflects anxiety, the map that guides through the unknown, and the silent guardian that watches over every step of a journey.

In the second part of this article we'll see how this  well-tested system made its way into the corporate life, helps companies exercise their duty of care and protect their employees.