ABSTRACT
A critical incident plan is the emergency route an organisation takes to support and minimise risk to staff, and enable effective and timely crisis management. Due to the nature of humanitarian aid work, critical incidents are an occupational hazard. A critical incident plan needs to include a ‘trauma management program’, emphasising what psychosocial support is necessary to support staff through a major incident. The trauma management programme should define every stage of a critical incident, from early intervention, trauma-specific treatments, follow-up, right through to recovery. Family liaison support, peer support services, psychological first aid, psychological debriefing and specialist trauma counselling are all explored. A well thought-through critical incident plan saves lives and helps people recover quicker. Staff need training, guidance, knowledge and clear policies. The reality is that major incidents almost always catch us unaware; therefore, forward planning is essential. Two high-profile cases, one of sexual violence and one of kidnapping, are explored in detail to emphasise the learning points and incorporate them into a trauma management program. The findings of three years of Responding in a Crisis data are shared, highlighting trends and risks in the humanitarian sector.
