Nevertheless, development and rehabilitation programme staff too work in areas affected by civil disturbance, criminality and landmines. What few studies exist suggest that illness, injury and death in the field are due in large part to preventable illness and injury. Whatever the causes, an increasing awareness of the health and security risks for field staff has prompted many questions about the adequacy or otherwise of insurance. The report compares selected indicators of insurance cover for expatriate field staff from a small sample of British and Irish aid agencies. We have made no attempt to reflect the complexity of individual staff members' circumstances nor of individual agencies' policies.
Insurance is the responsibility of staff as well as agencies.
Professional indemnity Staff should clarify insurance issues with employer or sending agency before signing a contract. They should seek advice from personal insurance and mortgage providers, from trade unions or professional bodies. The proportion of total insurance cost that field staff cover represents Whether there are benefits or costs for agencies acting together on insurance Finance departments, insurance providers, aid agency forums, and the British-based National Council of Voluntary Organisations can also provide information. Data in this report came from agencies concerned with good practice. Many had current policies under review.