Case Study 1
Thales / Olive Group - Convoy Escorts - Dates: 2007-2008
Background
Watan Risk Management specialises in securely moving cargoes of all sizes across Afghanistan and from neighbouring countries such as Pakistan. Watan Risk Management were approached by Thales, the French defence company; and Olive Group, a British security company, to escort a large number of containers with sensitive NATO/ISAF communications equipment from Kabul to every PRT in the country.
Watan Risk Management successfully delivered to every PRT, including the most dangerous in the south of the country. Watan is able to use its unique tribal network and connections to gain access to areas that would otherwise be impassable. Watan also uses these contacts to keep costs low on behalf of the client, through minimising attacks and through careful use of the tribal networks to provide security in depth.
Project
Convoy escort of Thales communications equipment to every PRT in every province of Afghanistan.
Solutions / Services
- In conjunction with the client Watan Risk Management carried out threat assessments of the routes to be used for each convoy. As a result of this process suitable team configuration(s) and profile is agreed.
- Watan Risk Management recognises that cost is a major driver and works with clients to keep team profile and therefore cost to what is required for any particular area whilst minimising transit times.
- All convoys were tracked throughout using the Watan Operations Centre (WOC) in Kabul and using Satellite/GSM tracking devices.
- All Watan Risk Management Convoy Escort Teams (CET) carry a wide range of communications equipment including satellite telephones, GSM phones, VHF, HF and UHF radios.
Case Study 2
American University of Afghanistan
Background
Watan Group was approached to provide the University of American with a long term security solution to enable their staff, both national and international to operate safely in Kabul. The University required a swift handover of security and Watan Group were able to conduct a full handover within two days of contract signature. Watan Group provided an International Security Manager with 102 Armed/Unarmed guards and then began the security audit and management. The handover was smooth and the client extremely happy with Watan Groups time management and manpower resources.
Solutions / Services
- Threat and risk assessment to ensure recent and comprehensive knowledge of the client's particular circumstance and needs.
- Provision of a static guard force to secure a client's sites and assets.
- Rapid deployment of a team to ensure that clients were able to provide all their staff with a high duty of care.
- Standard Operating Procedures were developed in close consultation with both clients for all aspects of their projects to ensure clear guidelines in the event of evacuation, emergency or incident.
- On-site and refresher training courses with all team members to ensure consistency and the highest standards of care for all client personnel, both national and international.
Case Study 3
ECCI/AFCEE - Convoy Escorts / Customs Facilitation - Dates: 2007-2008
Background
Watan Group has operated a number of convoys on behalf of ECCI and AFCEE. These were moved from the port of Karachi in Pakistan to Kabul and from there onto various PRT locations across the country. Watan was also able to facilitate custom clearance at very short notice for items arriving at Kabul International Airport.
Project
ECCI/AFCEE convoy escort services from Pakistan to various construction locations across Afghanistan via Kabul.
Solutions / Services
- In conjunction with the client Watan Group carried out threat assessments of the routes to be used for each convoy. These were then measured against the value and vulnerability of the convoy vehicles and cargo and suitable team configurations and profile agreed.
- Watan Group was able to use its extensive tribal connections to facilitate security of the convoys in both Pakistan and across Afghanistan to ensure security was provided in depth in addition to any security on the convoys themselves.
- All convoys were tracked throughout using the Watan Operations Centre (WOC) in Kabul.
- Watan was able to facilitate clearance of an aircraft carrying VIPs at very short notice into Kabul International Airport including customs clearance of freight on the same day.
- Watan Group had a 100% delivery success rate.
Case Study 4
Kabul Shared Security
Background
Watan Group was approached to provide two NGOs with a long-term security solution to enable their staff, both national and international to operate safely in Kabul. The two NGOs, State University New York (SUNY) and the Afghan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) were unable to fund a full security solution on their own, so Watan Group was able to team them up in order to share the cost between them. This enabled each organisation to provide their staff with the full duty of care normally only afforded to much larger organisations at a price that was appropriate for their budget.
Following a comprehensive security audit, Watan Group recommended an expatriate security manager and Afghan deputy manager together with a team of trained local guards to secure their work locations and guesthouses.
Solutions / Services
- Threat and risk assessment to ensure recent and comprehensive knowledge of the client's particular circumstance and needs.
- Provision of a static guard force to secure a client's sites and assets.
- Rapid deployment of a team to ensure that SUNY and AREU were able to provide all their staff with a high duty of care.
- Standard Operating Procedures were developed in close consultation with both clients for all aspects of their projects to ensure clear guidelines in the event of evacuation, emergency or incident.
- On-site and refresher training courses with all team members to ensure consistency and the highest standards of care for all client personnel, both national and international.