Blogs
August 18, 2025 • 3 min read
Humanitarian response does not end with delivering aid, it begins with ensuring safe access. GOAL Global’s Access and Safety teams work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep staff protected and operations running, even in the world’s most volatile contexts. Their vigilance, analysis, and 24/7 readiness allow aid to reach “the last mile” safely. On World Humanitarian Day, we honor these unseen protectors whose commitment turns intent into impact.
Humanitarian responses begin in the aftermath of a crisis, whether triggered by conflict, displacement, floods, earthquakes, or other disasters. Wherever lives are upended, humanitarian workers arrive with solidarity, hope, and critical assistance.
But reaching “the last mile” to communities most affected is not accidental. It is made possible by a dedicated group working tirelessly behind the scenes: GOAL Global’s Access and Safety teams. Their commitment ensures that operations remain smooth, staff remain protected, and aid reaches those who need it most, even in the most volatile contexts.
“Our job is very demanding and challenging, but also deeply rewarding. The very nature of humanitarian response means we are entering places at their most vulnerable moments, just after a crisis has struck. We must ensure that the aftermath of that crisis does not directly harm our staff or disrupt operations. To create that environment of safety and assurance, we have to go the extra mile and work beyond the normal hours,” explains Tilahun Bezuwork, GOAL Ethiopia Access and Safety Advisor.
The Access and Safety teams lead efforts to understand evolving contexts, assess risks, and provide timely, accurate information to support humanitarian operations. They are the ones approving travel clearances, giving technical advice, and ensuring that responders can deliver life-saving aid with confidence.
“As the Safety and Access team, we cannot afford to lose focus, even for a couple of hours, regardless of the circumstances. Teams operating in highly volatile and remote areas rely on us for their safety, and that responsibility demands constant vigilance. It’s not only about staying informed or having the latest updates; we must carefully analyze situations, anticipate how they may evolve, and make informed, evidence-based decisions. Only then can we effectively protect our colleagues, their loved ones, and minimize potential risks,” reflects Maju Apollo Phillip, Safety & Access Manager, GOAL South Sudan.
For these teams, the work is relentless. Unlike many professions, they do not have the luxury of switching off phones or disconnecting from communication channels during weekends or late hours. Crises arrive without appointment, and they must always be ready.
Every day, shifting national, regional, and global dynamics, political tensions, internal conflicts, or cross-border disputes, bring new challenges that require rapid adaptation. The Access and Safety teams navigate these uncertainties, keeping operations grounded and people safe.
Paul Westbury, Head of Global Safety & Access for GOAL, highlights the importance and impact of the Safety & Access team’s work: “Safety and access aren’t side tasks in humanitarian action, they’re the operating system. From Dublin to Juba, our job is to read fast-moving contexts, negotiate principled access with communities and authorities, and translate risk into practical guidance that keeps our people safe and our programmes running. That means prioritizing the most critical threats, investing in local partnerships, and maintaining clear, rapid lines of communication 24/7. Equally, adopting a community-owned and led approach to Safety and Access strengthens trust, ensures contextual relevance, and improves outcomes by empowering those who know the environment best to guide decisions. We balance duty of care with the duty to deliver, aligning security, safeguarding, logistics, and wellbeing so teams can reach the last mile with confidence, neutrality, and respect. In a world of compounding crises, disciplined risk management is what turns intent into impact.”
On World Humanitarian Day, as the world honors the courage and sacrifice of humanitarian workers, it is essential to recognize those who make their work possible.
GOAL Global’s Access and Safety teams may not always be the most visible, but their vigilance and expertise form the backbone of every humanitarian response. They are the unseen protectors who clear the path for aid to reach the last mile, ensuring that solidarity, hope, and lifesaving support can arrive safely, even in the toughest places on earth.
