Crisis Preparedness


U.S Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs

Current Crisis Overseas

Crisis Awareness

Keeping Informed About A Crisis: When a crisis occurs abroad involving large numbers of U.S. citizens, such as a natural disaster, transportation accident, civil or political unrest or a terrorist incident, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy abroad utilize a variety of means of communicating with the American public, including the Internet.

Monitoring the Consular Updates on the Internet: Monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and the home page for the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country for up-to-date information about the crisis.

Communicating With Families of U.S. Citizens Involved in a Crisis: Families in the United States whose U.S. citizen relatives abroad are directly affected by the crisis can also communicate with the Department of State through our Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management at (202) 647-5225. If a 24-hour task force or working group is established in the Department of State Operations Center to manage the crisis, you will be directed to the Task Force at (202) 647-0900.

Letting Your Family Know You Are Okay: If a crisis occurs in a country you are visiting, contact your family in the United States to reassure them regarding your safety.

If You Are in a Foreign Country Involved in a Crisis:

  • Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need help.
  • Be sure to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate by phone, fax or in person.
  • Monitor the U.S. Embassy and State Department home pages.
  • Monitor Voice of America and BBC broadcasts for announcements.

Crisis Preparedness

The following information may be helpful to you in preparing for a crisis abroad. While some of the material was designed by other U.S. Government agencies for a crisis occuring in the United States, the guidance about preparedness may be useful to Americans making plans for similar emergencies abroad.

This is an official U.S. Government source. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.

Preparedness

Overview

Children

Seniors

People With Disabilities

Food and Water

Generators

Pets and Animals

Natural Disasters

General

Earthquakes

Fires

Floods and Flash Floods

Hurricanes

Typhoons

A typhoon is a hurricane that occurs in the Pacific region generally near the Philippines or the China Sea. See the information on Hurricanes above for additional information.

Tsunamis

Thunder Storms

Tornadoes

Heat Waves

Volcanoes

Winter Storms/Cold Weather Safety Tips

Health Concerns

Safety/Security

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Diplomatic Security Publications

OSAC Publications

Evacuations

U.S. State Department, (Official State Department Personnel) Family Liaison Office (These documents were prepared for U.S. Department of State employees. Not all of the guidance will apply to private citizens, but the information may still be helpful for planning purposes.)

U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security, Overseas Security Advisory Council

Terrorism

U.S. Department of State, Office of Counterterrorism

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security

U.S. Department of State, Press Statement:

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of the Historian

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Department of Justice

Other:

Aviation Disasters

Aviation Safety and Security

Family Assistance

Manifests

Coordination

U.S. Government Aircraft

Laws

Private Support Organizations for Victims of Aviation Disaster and Their Families

Disclaimer:  The following are links to web sites for private organizations. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links to sites does not imply endorsement of contents.

Other Transportation Accidents

Technological Disasters

U.S. Department of State

FEMA

Red Cross

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

International Cooperation

Disaster Victims

Grief and Bereavement

Children and Families

Stress, Mental and Emotional Health

Disaster Workers

International Issues

Crime Victims

Torture, Kidnapping and Hostages

Disaster Relief

Death Investigations

Crisis References