Steve Dennis

Steven Patrick Dennis, known as Steve Dennis, is a Canadian humanitarian worker who in 2012 was violently abducted from Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya, before being rescued in a gunfight by an armed militia. Dennis' litigation against his employer was the first time that a European court has ruled on the duty of care of aid workers.

Personal life Steven Patrick Dennis His parents are Carol-Ann and Peter Dennis.

Events in Kenya and Somalia

Dennis, while aged 37, The situation in the camp was tense. Bombs were sometimes heard and gunfire was common. unaware that the purpose of this car was to act as a "lightning rod" to attract any gun or improved explosive devices attacks, instead of the other vehicle that was transporting the Secretary General. The 29 June was a Friday, which is typically not a work day in Dadaab, the decision bring in workers a Friday resulted in increased attention from all surrounding people due to the lack of any other activities occurring. the newly hired driver of the third vehicle, with Sehl in it, was struck by four bullets and died immediately behind the steering wheel. about 60 km into Somalia. After some time, Norwegian Refugee Council stopped paying Dennis' medical bills.

Litigation commenced 23 February 2015 in the Oslo District Court

The court also found that there was no basis to apply a more lenient duty of care for staff working for aid agencies.

Lasting effects of the court case Security specialist Steve McCann, of Safer Edge said: "The case’s significance lies not in the uniqueness of the incident, but in fact it has put the issue of security in the industry under public scrutiny."

The European Interagency Security Forum's stated in 2016 that the court's judgement clarified that humanitarian agencies do have a duty of care to their employees, just as any other type of employer has.

The court case was described as a "wake up call for the aid industry" by The New Humanitarian in 2015 and prompted aid agencies to review their procedures, especially with regards to care for staff after incidents.

Dennis' actions were described by Brendan McDonald of the Be Well Serve Well camping as breaking a taboo "Few have the courage to speak out about anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression and burnout."