Setting the Standard: Responsible Security in Action During Myanmar’s Crisis

IDG Security is deeply committed to promoting ethical and responsible private security practices. As a trusted security provider, the company upholds the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights. This article highlights IDG Security’s alignment with the ICoCA Code and its principles and showcases best practices in the private security sector, encouraging initiatives that prioritise human rights, community engagement, sustainable development, and economic stability. By sharing these examples, the company aims to inspire meaningful change across the industry and reinforce a lasting commitment to responsible security practices.

Context and Challenge

In March 2025, a catastrophic magnitude 7.7–7.9 earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, near Mandalay, reaching Mercalli Intensity X (Extreme)—the strongest earthquake in Myanmar since 1912 and the second deadliest in its modern history. The disaster killed over 5,350 people in Myanmar, 103 in Thailand, and one in Vietnam, leaving more than 11,400 injured and hundreds missing.

Damage and disruption extended to Thailand, China, and Vietnam, with widespread destruction of homes, religious sites, and critical infrastructure. Entire communities were left without shelter, clean water, or basic necessities, and relief efforts were severely hindered by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and political unrest.

IDG Myanmar was engaged during this period to ensure the safety and security of both operations and personnel. From its headquarters in Yangon, senior management mobilised quickly, visiting affected areas to assess damages and identify where support was most urgently needed. While fortunately no IDG employees lost their lives, several colleagues and their families suffered the devastation of losing their homes and livelihoods.

Within this fraught environment, the primary challenge lay not only in maintaining secure sites, but in responding dynamically to the urgent humanitarian needs of employees and the broader communities they belonged to—requiring compassionate, flexible, and responsible action under unprecedented strain.

Actions Taken

Human Rights

IDG Security’s commitment to human rights was pivotal during the Myanmar earthquake response, guiding every action and decision in one of the most challenging environments imaginable. With the wellbeing of employees and the wider community at stake amidst extreme devastation and ongoing civil conflict, IDG applied its comprehensive human rights policy, not just as a standard, but as a daily practice vital to dignity and safety.

From the outset, IDG adheres strictly to the ICoCA Code, Management System Standards (MSS), and United Nations Global Compact principles. All security and support staff undergo extensive human rights training—covering non-discrimination, respect for life, and cultural awareness, which empowered them to respond ethically and compassionately in crisis conditions. This training was reinforced throughout the disaster, helping staff navigate both operational and humanitarian complexities.

True security at IDG is founded on a long-standing policy that places the wellbeing of employees and their families at its core. This commitment is reflected in the company’s everyday practices, including competitive and equal pay, cultural celebration bonuses, discretionary support for life events, comprehensive insurance, paid maternity and adoption leave, and compassionate leave. Holistic care is further advanced through programmes promoting mental health, financial literacy, and team bonding, along with initiatives such as SafeHaven and sports events.

During the aftermath of the Myanmar earthquake, these policies were put into decisive action. IDG rapidly deployed targeted support for staff and their families impacted by the disaster, providing emergency relief in the form of dry rations, clean water, essential medicines, and additional financial assistance through the Chairman’s Fund. Welfare contacts ensured personal support for colleagues facing illness, loss, or the destruction of homes and livelihoods—demonstrating that in times of crisis, IDG’s core values translate directly into compassionate, practical help when it is needed most.

What set IDG apart throughout the crisis was the company’s foundation of Gurkha-inspired camaraderie, unity, and mutual respect. Internally, this sense of brotherhood gave staff strength and adaptability amid disaster; externally, it earned the trust of clients and community members facing their own losses and uncertainty.

By combining strict protocols, ongoing training, transparency, and a genuine culture of care, IDG Security demonstrated that respect for human rights is not only a governance requirement but the heart of responsible and resilient crisis response, ensuring staff and communities were supported, protected, and empowered during Myanmar’s darkest hours.

Community Engagement

IDG Security’s approach to community engagement during the Myanmar earthquake focused on direct support, meaningful participation, and local empowerment.

Management led outreach by visiting disaster zones including Mandalay and Tada-U, to assess damages and identify where support was most needed and conducting consultations with employees, local leaders, and families to determine priorities for assistance.

IDG’s engagement extended to collaboration with local organisations, contributing supplies and resources to broader relief initiatives. This commitment reinforced trust and strengthened relationships, proving that responsible security is inseparable from genuine partnership and local collaboration—even in times of crisis.

Sustainable Development

Sustainability is central to how IDG Security operates, recognising that climate change is hitting hardest in the regions it serves and approaches this responsibility with seriousness and innovation. IDG Security has adopted the E-Liability Accounting scheme, a cutting-edge system developed by leading academics to track carbon emissions across its services and supply chains with real-time, auditable precision. This tool enables the company to assess environmental impact as accurately as financial costs, guiding smarter sourcing and operational decisions and helping clients reduce emissions across their own supply chains.

During the Myanmar earthquake response, IDG’s commitment to sustainability continued despite the urgency of the crisis. The company remained mindful of minimising its environmental footprint, selecting responsible suppliers for relief materials and maintaining best-practice waste management even in challenging conditions. This approach ensured that urgent humanitarian support was provided efficiently, while also reducing negative impact on the local environment and setting a positive example for integrating sustainability into crisis management. Through these actions, IDG demonstrated that even in times of disaster, sustainable development remains fundamental to its mission and values and to the long-term recovery and resilience of the communities it serves.

As a company built on integrity and innovation, IDG are proud to lead the way in responsible, transparent security operations that protect both people and the planet.

Economic Stability

While the primary focus during the Myanmar earthquake was on ensuring safety and delivering immediate humanitarian support, IDG Security recognises that responsible security provision underpins economic stability in fragile contexts. As a major local employer, IDG maintained regular employment and fair, timely pay for its personnel despite challenging conditions, helping staff and their families weather the broader economic shock. By sourcing relief supplies and services responsibly and prioritising local vendors where possible, IDG aimed to contribute, albeit in a modest way—to local economic activity and resilience.

The destruction brought by the earthquake disrupted livelihoods and strained economic systems across Myanmar. With so many businesses shuttered and supply chains impacted, maintaining wage continuity, supplier relationships, and responsible business commitments became both a duty and a stabilising force. Although the scale of need surpassed what any single company could address, IDG’s continued presence and reliable operations provided a measure of economic continuity and support for those within its immediate reach, reinforcing the company’s values and its role as a responsible stakeholder during national recovery.

Outcomes and Impact

• Staff Wellbeing Protected: All IDG personnel survived the disaster, with the wellbeing of staff and their families proactively safeguarded through rapid relief—dry rations, clean water, medicines, and financial aid—demonstrating IDG’s genuine care and crisis-readiness.

• Human Rights Upheld: All operations were conducted with strict adherence to the ICoCA Code and human rights standards. There were no reported abuses or complaints linked to IDG’s activities, reflecting a culture of dignity and ethical conduct.

• Community Trust Strengthened: On-the-ground engagement, consultations, and collaboration with local organisations reinforced relationships and community resilience, earning trust from both staff and local stakeholders during an extremely turbulent time.

• Business Continuity: IDG maintained stable employment and reliable pay for staff, providing a lifeline amid widespread economic and infrastructure collapse.

• Environmental Responsibility Maintained: Sustainable practices were applied where feasible, minimising environmental impact while responding to an urgent humanitarian crisis.

• Model for Responsible Security: The demonstrated practice of compassionate crisis response, principled leadership, and ethical teamwork has set a clear example for responsible private security providers operating in conflict or disaster-affected settings.

These outcomes affirm that IDG Security’s approach is not only robust in theory, but resilient in practice, even under the unprecedented strain of the Myanmar earthquake.

Conclusion

IDG Security’s work in Myanmar demonstrates how responsible security combines human rights due diligence, deep community partnership, sustainability, and economic empowerment to set industry standards for ethical conduct, compassion, and operational excellence. By standing firmly with its people and leading with integrity, IDG Security shows that true security is holistic, protecting not just assets, but also dignity, trust, and the enduring promise of a safer, more resilient future.

Take the Next Step

Ready to protect your organisation with security solutions grounded in integrity and resilience?
Connect with IDG Security today to discover how  we deliver  peace of mind, in the toughest environments, with an ethical and people focused approach.