DATE:

FROM: [Your Name]

Safety and Security Officer - [Your Sub-region]

SUBJECT: Safety and Security Assessment,

TO: [Regional Director]

[Chief, Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security]

1. BACKGROUND
HISTORY and GOVERNMENT
Briefly describe the history of the country (or region, as appropriate. For a country assessment
describe and the government structure and political system, particularly if the government has not
always been pro-US. Potential sources for this information include: CIA World Factbook, Freedom in
the World, VSO, AlertNet

CULTURE
Briefly describe the population and ethnic and religious composition of the countrylregion; also
address any other factors that would impact Peace Corps operations, such as language distributions.
Potential sources for this information include: CIA World Factbook, AlertNet

PEACE CORPS OPERATIONS

Briefly describe the history of Peace Corps in the countrylregion, to include the year the program
opened and any significant events such as closures or suspensions. State the number of current
Volunteers and the programs in which they operate, as well as any significant changes that are
anticipated. You may also wish to describe the distribution of Volunteers throughout the country.
Potential sources for this information include: Peace Corps website, interviews with and documents
produced by local post, Country Desk

2. RISK ASSESSMENT
2.1. CRIMEIBANDITRY
Give an overall assessment of the risk - Low, Medium or High. DO NOT quote the State
Department's SETL rating! Your assessment should be based on your total review of the
crime situation through interviews and research. Briefly describe the current crime conditions
and trends. If banditry is a significant issue, it should be addressed as a separate topic.
Potential sources for this information include: Consular Information Sheet, OSAC Crime and
Safety Reports, interviews with PCVs, RSO and local police officials, Safety of the Volunteer
Report, PC Incident Reports

2.2. INTERNAL TRAVEL

ROAD CONDITIONS
Give an overall assessment of Poor, Fair, Good or Excellent - it can be a range, i.e, Poor to
Good. Briefly describe the extent of the road network and road conditions, to include
predominate road surfaces. Also describe the driving hazards that would be encountered,
such as livestock, wildlife, rockslides, etc. Also comment on how this would affect Volunteer
travel and Peace Corps operations considering the distances to be covered and length of
time required. Also include any restrictions imposed on US Embassy personnel. Make any
recommendations for travel policies or restrictions as may be appropriate. Potential sources
 2.4. NATURAL DISASTER
Briefly describe the natural disaster history and risks in the countrylregion. Each disaster
type should be addressed in a separate heading. Comment on the risks that these pose to
Volunteers and the potential impact on Peace Corps operations. Make any
recommendations for specialized training or restrictions on Volunteer placement as may be
appropriate. Categories would include:

EARTHQUAKESNOLCANOES

STORMS (Tropical, SandlDustlvVind, Snow)

FLOODS

DROUGHT

Don't forget to include seasonal or localized hazards (such as wildfires) that may affect only
certain areas or regions. Potential sources for this information include: ReliefWeb, USGS,
CIDI, USAIDIOFDA

2.5. ENVIRONMENTAL/TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Briefly describe the hazards presented by industries or technology in the countrylregion (i.e.,
nuclear power plants, chemical factories, hydroelectric dams). Comment on the risks that
these pose to Volunteers and the potential impact on Peace Corps operations. Make any
recommendations for training or restrictions on Volunteer placement as may be appropriate.
Potential sources for this information include: ReliefWeb

2.6. LANDMIJ~ESIUXO
Give an overall assessment of the risk - Low, Medium or High. Briefly describe the extent of
problems with landmines and unexploded ordinance in the countrylregion, especially there is
a recent history of armed conflict. Make any recommendations for training or restrictions on
Volunteer placement as may be appropriate. Potential sources for this information include:
ICBL, UNMAS

2.7. TERRORISM

TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM

Give an overall assessment of the risk - Low, Medium or High. DO NOT quote the State
Department's SETL rating! Briefly describe the history of transnational terrorism in the
country and the potential for actions against US or western targets based on known or
suspected terrorist activities and the likelihood that terrorists could enter and operate in the
country.

WDIGENOUS TERRORISM
Give an overall assessment of the risk - Low, Medium or High. DO NOT quote the State
Department's SETL rating! Briefly describe the history of indigenous terrorism in the
countrylregion and identify any groups that are currently operating. Comment on the
motivation of these groups, typical targets and the likelihood that they would target US
interests, including Volunteers.

Potential sources for this information include: State Department (including "Patterns of
Global Terrorism" publication), Center for Defense Information, CIA World Factbook

COUNTRY ASSESSMENT REPORT FORMAT Page 3 of5

 Distance from PC office and normal travel route (quality of road, length of time required, potential

hazards or difficulties)

Population at site or surrounding area

Access to transportation, communications, health care and basic services (shopping, banking)

Description of the house (construction and condition, toiletlbath facilities, security features)

Proximity to neighbors and workplace

5. OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

OBSERVATIONS:
Describe your observations, both positive and negative, that are related to Peace Corps safety and
security operations. Each observation should be in a separate paragraph.

.RECOMMENDATIONS:
Describe your recommendations for enhancing the post's safety and security program, for improving
the quality or delivery of safety and security services to Volunteers. Also make any recommendations
for restrictions on Volunteer placement or travel. Recommendations should be in italics. Each
recommendation should be in a separate paragraph.

COUNTRY ASSESSMENT REPORT FORMAT Page 5 of5