Aon Releases Terrorism, Political Violence Map; Retail, Transport Most at Risk

Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon plc, has released its 2014 Terrorism and Political Violence Map to help organizations assess risk levels of terrorism and political violence across the globe. Highlights from the map include the following:
• Thirty-three percent of terrorism attacks affecting retail sector – 18 percent impacting transportation sector
• Brazil facing an increased risk of unrest in advance of World Cup
• 80 countries with terrorism perils indicated in 2014, 12 percent fewer than 2013
• Europe sees notable improvement with 11 countries having civil commotion perils removed
• In 2013, 52 percent of all terrorist attacks recorded took place in the MENA region, up from 41 percent in 2012

Aon produced the map in collaboration with Risk Advisory Group plc, a global risk management consultancy. It comes in a print edition and as an online dashboard, providing clients with a clear global and country-level view on terrorism and political violence ratings.

Aon’s bulletin said the map indicates that “Brazil was the only Latin American country to see its risk rating increase from medium to severe due to widespread and large-scale violent anti-government protests throughout 2013. The analysis indicates this unrest will likely continue in 2014, particularly ahead of the FIFA World Cup and the October general elections.

“Despite some improvements in the ratings – eight decreases and just one increase to the 37 country scores that cover Sub-Saharan Africa in 2014, Africa remains a continent of high political violence and terrorism risk, with 22 countries having high to severe risk ratings.

“Empirically, the Middle East is the region most afflicted by terrorism in the world, with a 28 percent share of all terrorist attacks recorded worldwide in 2013. A new strain of Salafi Jihadism has emerged in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as evidenced by increased levels of terrorism. This is a cause and effect of the limited political recovery of post Arab Spring countries, and has contributed to widespread high-to-severe risk ratings across the region.”

As noted above the “retail and transportation sectors were significantly affected in 2013, with 33 percent of terrorism attacks affecting the retail sector, and 18 percent of attacks taking place on the transportation sector.

“The retail sector includes venues such as public markets, which remain vulnerable to attack as seen last year in Kenya. Terrorism remains a variable threat in the Eurasia region, with Russia and Turkey the most affected by the threat through 2013. Additionally, the Winter Olympics in Russia, which will involve significant mass transportation moves, is seen as a potential terrorist target.”

The map shows that “Japan, Mozambique and Bangladesh have also seen increased scores with Bangladesh witnessing civil unrest over 70 days of strikes and accompanying protests, particularly against low wages and poor working conditions in the garments industry, adding to the issues impacting the retail sector.”

Aon summarized the data from the map contents as follows:
• 34 countries attained reduced country risk scores.
• Four countries attained increased country risk scores – Brazil, Japan, Mozambique and Bangladesh.
• In contrast with other regions, Europe saw notable improvement with 11 countries having civil commotion perils removed.
• Brazil was the only Latin American country to receive an increased risk rating.
• Overall country scores for Asia Pacific and Oceania region remain broadly stable with only four changes out of 29 countries and territories – South Korea, Malaysia and Samoa all attained reduced risk ratings – while increased military spending and geopolitical tensions in Japan increased the country’s rating.
• 33 percent of all high and severe risk countries globally are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Neil Henderson, head of Aon Risk Solutions’ Crisis Management Terrorism team, said: “The map shows that while the terrorism threat in the West has declined, other regions are witnessing significant increases in terrorist violence and activity., Having unrivalled access to regional data and fact-based insight enables our global clients to begin planning ahead of these trends by performing necessary risk identification and consider preventive risk management solutions. This insight allows our clients to plan overseas expansion or international growth and supports them in their efforts to be resilient to a terrorist or political violence threat.”

Ian Nunn QGM, head of Aon Risk Solutions’ Crisis Consulting team, added: “Clients are naturally keen to penetrate key economic markets around the world, and seek highly attractive opportunities where they can maximize greater returns from their investments. It is important for businesses to recognize that this will also pose significant new political, security and operational risks that will have to be combined with tough regulatory and legislative pressures. A clear understanding of exposure and risk including the possible rapid change in the political and security situations within their operating regions is necessary to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place to manage such exposure. The Terrorism Risk Map is one of the key components of Aon’s global WorldAware Safe Travel Solutions to assist clients in understanding and managing global risk.”

Henry Wilkinson, head of the Intelligence and Analysis practice at Risk Advisory, said: “The map shows that having the means to understand and stay ahead of terrorism threats and political violence risks has never been more important. Despite signs of global economic recovery, businesses in emerging markets are as exposed as ever to a diversifying array of risks and threats from sophisticated and often highly networked adversaries. New threats can emerge increasing rapidly, as hostile actors evolve faster and emulate tactics that have an ever greater impact, be it through mobilizing mass unrest or mounting sustained armed terrorist attacks. Committed to enabling the world’s leading businesses succeed in emerging markets, Risk Advisory is pleased to work in partnership with Aon on the 2014 Terrorism & Political Violence Map.”

Aon described the methodology and resources used to construct the map as using Color-coded ratings of the 200 countries and territories measured act as a gauge for the overall level of risk from terrorism and political violence to business in each country. Three peril icons indicate classifications of political violence risk encountered by businesses:
• Terrorism and sabotage
• Strikes, riots, civil commotion and malicious damage to property
• Insurrection, revolution, rebellion, mutiny, coup d’état, war and civil war

The map measures political violence and terrorism in 200 countries and territories to help companies assess the risk levels of political violence and terrorism. Produced by Aon in collaboration with global risk management consultancy The Risk Advisory Group plc, the Aon Terrorism and Political Violence Map reflects data recorded by Terrorism Tracker*, Aon WorldAware* and an expert assessment of the security situation. Each country is assigned a threat level, starting at negligible, and rising through low, medium, high and severe.

Terrorism threat is defined as an assessment of the intent and capability for terrorist groups to stage attacks and the likelihood they will succeed.”

Source: Aon plc

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Aon Risk Management Japan