We recognize that we cannot address all risk. Therefore, we choose to assess which risks are most probable and impactful, then to mitigate or accept those risks. We also choose to assess the viability of operating in all locations on a yearly basis to avoid complacency bias. We seek to have a clear vision of the realistic risks associated with a specific location so that we can actively choose to operate there, while mitigating the risks as we can.
Reliant will require a formal risk assessment for every new international partner to determine the Reliant International Risk Levels for the team's location. Reliant will work with field leadership, the partner church/ministry, and any approved third-party decision maker (sending network, sending church, etc) to gather as much information as possible. This will include specific location(s) of the ministry, future vision/mission of team, forecasting/evaluating impact and probability of threats, and documenting mitigation steps to reduce the risk of each threat above a medium level. Once this information is gathered, Reliant will work with our security consultant to weigh the real-time risk and threat levels for the location/ministry. Reliant's security consultant factors in governmental travel restrictions and warnings, real-time intel, and information from the Overseas Security Advisory Counsel (OSAC). Lastly, Reliant will take into account organizational liability and insurance availability in the risk assessment.
Once Reliant has determined the risk level, every team member will sign an agreement that they understand the assigned Reliant International Risk Level and the associated risks outlined for their location.
Re-evaluation of an International Location Risk Level
Reliant reassesses the Risk Level of your location depending on changes happening in or around your location or if prompted by you or your team leader.
Additionally, a location-specific risk assessment will be performed if:
- There is a significant change in the security climate of a location due to governmental, environmental, societal, or other significant factors
- If an evacuation took place a new assessment will be performed before returning
- The location is deemed to be at a generally high-risk level and Reliant leadership determines that more frequent evaluations are necessary
Steps for submission
- Each team (or team leader) will perform a risk assessment each year, considering the events that are likely or impactful.
- They will provide the Reliant ICMT with their assessment.
- In turn, Reliant has provided contingency planning templates for each type of risk (See Contingency Planning)
- The team leader will customize contingency planning templates specific to the risks of their location. The number of contingency plans required correlate with the International Risk Levels for your location.
- The Crisis Management Plan for your team and team members also correlates with what is needed for the contingency plans
Who Determines Risk?
Reliant will gather information from the Field Leader, Church/Ministry Partner, Team Members, Approved Third-Party Decision Makers (Sending Network, Sending Church, etc), Program Team Director, Concilium, etc. The final decision on the location's risk level will be determined by Reliant's International Crisis Management Team. (See also: International Risk Tolerance and Location Risk Assessment Tool)
