Every year, crises around the world demand rapid, decisive security support to help United Nations operations continue in complex and volatile environments. When the call goes out, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDSS relies on its Standing Surge Capacity pool: a roster of dedicated professionals ready to deploy at short notice to support missions facing urgent security needs.
With the campaign to refresh the Standing Surge Capacity security functions pool running from 1 to 31 July 2026, four staff members share their experiences from the field.
Meeting Crisis with Ingenuity (Myanmar)
When a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Central Myanmar in March 2025, damaging critical infrastructure and intensifying an already volatile security landscape, Roy Allan Guyjoco joined the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDSS surge response in Mandalay City as Field Security Coordination Officer. Shortly after his arrival, a mobile field hospital in Sagaing City closed, creating a gap in emergency trauma care and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ personnel. Leveraging inter-agency partnerships with WHO and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵFPA, Roy designed and delivered the region's first Individual Fast Aid Kit (IFAK) training. "Our team trained 40 participants across the United Nations Security Management System (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵSMS) and the Saving Lives Together (SLT) partners," Roy said. "It taught me that effective security extends far beyond technical expertise. It requires creativity, proactive leadership and trust."
Bridging Gaps with Representation (Sudan)
In June 2026, Ahlem Douzi deployed to Sudan, transitioning from a counter-terrorism context in Chad to an environment shaped by large-scale armed conflict. Tasked with security coordination, Security Risk Management (SRM) and staff capacity-building across Northern Sudan and West Darfur, she found that cultural and gender awareness were central to operational effectiveness. One training stood out: IFAK instruction for a group of mostly female national staff. "As the only female trainer, I facilitated practical sessions specifically structured to respect local cultural and religious considerations," she said. "Diversity within surge teams isn't just about representation, it has a direct operational impact. Speaking Arabic, English, and French allowed me to break down barriers, build interactive spaces, and ensure key safety concepts were fully understood."
Finding Growth in Times of Transition (Haiti)
Giacomo Vecchiarelli deployed to Haiti from February to April 2026 as a Security Liaison Officer, following a restructuring of his previous role in Beirut under the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ80 reform. During the assignment, he was rapidly entrusted with leading the Close Protection Team for an incoming Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), supporting senior leadership movements during a volatile period. "Every successful movement and advance security assessment restored my confidence," he said. "It proved that difficult professional transitions can be turned into powerful chapters of growth, while allowing me to contribute to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's mission in Haiti when that support was needed most." The deployment led to his current assignment with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
Rebuilding Morale through Empathy (Sudan)
In Port Sudan, Kaitlin Rau led the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDSS Administrative and Logistics Unit from July to October 2024 as Programme Manager, from constructing guesthouses to rapid onboarding under a hub-and-spoke model. Beyond the operational achievements, Kaitlin¡¯s most lasting memories were centered on colleagues and community. "Attending the funeral of a national staff member's family really reframed my perspective," Kaitlin said. "While Sudan is a hardship duty station for international staff, it is everyday reality for our national colleagues. They show up to support the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ mandate while carrying heavy personal burdens." Kaitlin also organized movie nights and staff gatherings to support office morale during the deployment.
Together, these experiences demonstrate that surge deployments are about more than filling urgent operational needs. They enable Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDSS colleagues to bring specialized skills where they are needed most, strengthen operational resilience and support the continuity of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ operations in some of the world¡¯s most challenging environments.