When the World Turns Against You: Navigating Hostility as a UN Affiliate

written by a member of the WCB

You never think it'll happen to you. Walking down a street in a foreign city, wearing that blue lanyard that used to feel like a shield. But sometimes, the very symbol that represents global cooperation becomes a target on your back.

I've been hearing whispers – conversations in low voices about UN workers facing intimidation, harassment, even physical confrontation. It's not just in conflict zones anymore. It's happening in places where you'd expect safety, in countries where the UN has operated peacefully for decades.

The pattern reveals itself if you're paying attention. First come the online campaigns, painting UN affiliates as agents of some shadowy global conspiracy. Then the rhetoric seeps into mainstream discourse, normalized bit by bit, until someone feels emboldened to act on it. And suddenly, you're the one being followed to your apartment, receiving threatening messages, or worse.

Here's what they don't tell you during orientation: your safety protocol needs to evolve as quickly as the threats against you. The UN security guidance is comprehensive, yes, but sometimes too bureaucratic to address the immediate reality of modern hostility.

So how do you navigate this world where helping with refugee resettlement or climate adaptation might make you a target? I've spoken with security experts and UN veterans who've learned these lessons the hard way.

First, manage your visibility. That blue lanyard? Don't wear it everywhere. Your UN vehicle? Consider switching to unmarked transportation in areas where sentiment has turned. Your social media? Lock it down and scrub it of location data. The goal isn't to hide your association – it's to control when and where you broadcast it.

Second, build your local intelligence network. The friendships you form aren't just about cultural integration; they're your early warning system. The shopkeeper who suddenly seems uncomfortable around you, the taxi driver who mentions increasing criticism of the UN – these are valuable signals. Listen for the shift in tone before it becomes action.

Third, create communication redundancies. When tensions escalate, official channels may be monitored or disrupted. Establish multiple ways to contact your security team, your colleagues, your embassy. Consider encrypted messaging apps, but remember – nothing is foolproof.

Fourth, know the psychology of confrontation. If directly challenged about your UN affiliation, remember that most aggressors want validation of their worldview. Neither arguing nor apologizing will satisfy this need. Instead, de-escalation comes through brief acknowledgment without engagement: "I understand you have strong feelings about this. I need to continue on my way now."

Fifth, document everything. The incident report you file today builds the security assessment that might protect someone tomorrow. Be meticulous about details – descriptions, times, locations, witnesses. The pattern only becomes visible when everyone contributes to the picture.

The most insidious aspect of these incidents is their isolation. You might be told they're "one-off events" or "not specifically targeting UN personnel." But you'll notice the similarities if you're really watching. The same accusations appear in different countries, the same tactics employed against different agencies.

This isn't about paranoia. It's about pattern recognition. Because once you see it, you can't unsee it – how criticism of international cooperation has transformed into permission for confrontation.

For field workers in remote locations: establish daily check-in protocols with colleagues. For those in urban settings: vary your routes and routines. For everyone: remember that security isn't just physical – it's informational. The details of your work, your movements, your assessments should be carefully guarded.

The irony isn't lost on me that an organization founded to bring nations together now finds its people increasingly isolated by suspicion. But there's resilience in this community if you look for it. UN workers have always operated in challenging environments – the challenge has simply shifted form.

So when you feel that prickle on the back of your neck, the sense that you're being watched or followed, trust it. Your instincts evolved over millennia specifically for moments like these. And remember, in the face of rising hostility, your most powerful tool isn't your institutional backing or your diplomatic immunity – it's your awareness of the world around you and your connection to others navigating the same dangerous currents.

Because in the end, they can target the symbol of what you represent, but they can't diminish the importance of the work itself. Stay vigilant. Stay connected. And most importantly, stay aware – of everything and everyone around you. The details you notice today might be what keeps you safe tomorrow.

Note: This article represents personal views based on conversations with security professionals and is not an official UN security protocol. Always follow your organization's formal security guidelines and reporting procedures.