As we near the end of 2020, it is time to reflect a little on our successes. We are particularly heartened that our clients, beneficiaries and users this year are reporting a 20% increase in capacity and a 7% increase in resilience combined with a 10% decrease in risk. Our team has grown to 25, and we now provide funded holistic security support in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic.

It is also amazing that in only two months, 87 organisations have built security frameworks using our innovative Frontline Policies tool – saving beneficiaries a combined total of $1.3 million! Alongside Frontline Policies, we launched the Holistic Security Toolkit, the Holistic Security Protocol for Human Rights Defenders, and Frontline Travel.

And we have helped our humanitarian and rights-based clients around the world meet their duty of care, staff wellbeing, and data protection responsibilities against the backdrop of COVID-19.

It has been an incredible, but hugely demanding, 12 months for our team. We are all taking time to recoup and spend time with our friends and families over the holiday season. We will be closing the Open Briefing office and pausing operations for three weeks from 19 December to 10 January inclusive. We will have cover in place to respond to urgent messages and critical incidents outside of UK public holidays, but will not be accepting new referrals for counselling or funded support or requests for Helpline calls during that time.

It is clear that the unique support and resources that Open Briefing provides are more essential than ever. Taking some time to rest will allow our team to continue to meet this demand over the coming year. We hope that you get the opportunity to do the same.

Happy holidays!