Safety and Security Measures another country as he/she may also gain unwanted visibility. The risk of reprisal against the alleged victim should be carefully considered and, under some circumstances, may preclude a medical evaluation. Local organisations are often well equipped to judge the situation on the ground and may have support networks that could be drawn upon, but local and international NGOs may not always have the means to ensure the safety of alleged victims and witnesses, especially if the person is held in a place of detention. Regular follow-up visits carried out by the local partner to check on the well-being and security of the alleged victim could be a possible safeguard. These followup visits should start shortly after the mission. If there is a fear of reprisals, the national and international community and public information could be alerted. d. Safety and security measures for the mission team Before the assignment, team members should receive a briefing on all known risks relevant to the mission, and possible measures to avoid/minimize these risks. Obligations and responsibilities of the contracting organisation and responsibilities of the individual team members are to be clearly communicated before the mission and specified in the contract. If the mission is to a country with a relatively high security risk, such as 24 conflict areas or countries where there are widespread and systematic human rights abuses, informing relevant embassies and/or the EC delegations about the mission and the team, without disclosing any sensitive or confidential information regarding the case should be considered. In some countries, and depending on the mission, it may be possible to participate in a security briefing or training by the UN or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). One member of the team should be the focal point for security measures (management of log books, communication, collection and distribution of alerts, security updates, etc). General tips • Have a supply of cash, both local currency as well as US Dollars on hand • Do not keep all money in the same place • Stay alert, watch luggage and keep documents and money safe • Bring a flash light with extra batteries Documentation Documents such as passports, identity cards, driving licences, visas, health certificates and return tickets should be in order. The team members should also carry documentation of their professional licence and specialisation. It is recommended to make two sets of copies