The Division of Regional Operations (DRO) is responsible for providing operational security support to country teams worldwide. DRO ensures a unified and comprehensive response to emergencies and provides sustained security advice to the field and to others UN departments, agencies, funds and programmes.

DRO includes five regional desks: Asia and Pacific, West Africa, East Africa, Europe and America, and the Middle East North Africa. It also encompasses the Threat and Risk Unit, Peacekeeping Operations Support Service, and a 24/7 Communications Centre in New York.

The division is headed by the Director of Regional Operations Gérard Martinez. Mr Martinez, a French national,who joined the Department in February 2006 and brought his wide experience from working with the French government in the field of security, defense and international relations.

Regional Desks

The regional desks in the Division of Regional Operations are the backbone of the Department of Safety and Security. They monitor daily security environments and UN security operations in their respective regions, provide security advice and technical support to UN security personnel in the field and coordinate with security focal points of UN departments, agencies, funds and programmes ensuring an unified and comprehensive response to any given security environment.

Peacekeeping Operations Support Service

The Peacekeeping Operations Support Service (POSS) serves as the primary DSS interface with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Field Support (DFS) both at headquarters and field mission levels.

Threat & Risk Unit

The Threat and Risk Unit (TRU) is responsible for strengthening threat and risk assessment methodology, supports assessment activities conducted in the field, (monitors global and regional threat to UN personnel, assets and operations) and develops assessments for critical UN events and activities.

UNDSS Communications Centre

The DSS Communications Centre is a 24/7 point of contact for DSS and provides a link between DSS headquarters and the field especially during silent hours. The COMSCEN monitors events worldwide focusing on any developing situation which poses, or may pose, a threat to UN and associated personnel and their family. The COMSCEN supports the DSS crisis management response from headquarters.