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Hovering Threats: Managing the rising risks of armed drones in humanitarian operations
Armed drones are an escalating threat in humanitarian settings, with their use expected to grow. Once rare, they are now a defining feature in conflicts across Ukraine, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Sudan, and Myanmar. Their appeal is clear: drones are low cost, easy to operate, widely available, and carry no pilot risk. But for humanitarians on the ground, they represent a deadly challenge – particularly when aid efforts take place near suspected insurgents.
In our new blog post for GISF, “Hovering Threats: Managing the Rising Risks of Armed Drones in Humanitarian Operations,” Christina Wille and Christa Callus unpack the evolving threat landscape shaped by armed drones and what this means for frontline staff and aid delivery.
● How are armed drones being used in conflict zones?
● What are the implications for humanitarian principles and operational access?
● What practical steps can organisations take to adapt?
Adapting to the growing threat of drones means rethinking security risk measures in high-risk contexts. Insecurity Insight has published a practical guide that brings together current best practice, available in English and French. From policy blind spots to field-level security adaptations, this timely analysis offers both context and direction for anyone working in insecure environments.