There used to be a day, not so long ago, that the bombing of Moscow’s airport would have been considered “their problem and not ours”. But the world, in so many ways, isn’t so big anymore. What affects them can easily affect us and we need to be careful to take note of that fact. It has become more common in modern day travel to encounter situations like an airport or train bombing, a kidnapping, pirate attack or a regional uprising.
For some of us, travel is a part of our job description, so what do we do about it? I have listed some helpful links for things you need to know before you go and things you might need to know while you are out on a trip away from your home area.
Guide for Emergency and Other Travel Situations While out on the Road:
Government Travel Safety Resources:
This particular website is geared for the traveling student, so some of the items may not apply to your situation. However, since travel is still travel no matter what your status may be many of these links and explanations will
be helpful.
This site covers some of the same information as the State Department website does but with a lot of helpful explanations. You will find links on Embassies, tips on safe travel, travel warnings and what travel help is available from the government. You will also find information on passports, travel health and safety, working
abroad as well as a whole list of links for student travel.
The next four websites come from the State Department’s Travel section:
International Travel:
You will find information about travel alerts and warnings as well as specific information on individual countries on this site.
International Travel Information:
This website deals with current travel warnings and a listing of any situations, worldwide, that US citizens are being advised against traveling into. You will also find specific travel alerts, warnings about international piracy and financial scams as well as specified warnings about any flu pandemic in any particular areas of the world.
Tips for Traveling Abroad:
This site offers the Smart Traveler enrollment program which registers you with the State Department for when you travel out of the country in case there is a need to evacuate you for any reason. You will also find regional
information, a list of US embassies and consulates as well as information on health and safety issues.
Emergencies and Crises:
Under this section you will find a whole list of helpful links for situations that might involve you as an American citizen such as; death or injury, arrest or detention, crime or kidnapping of either a child or an adult. You will also
find out how to get help while in a foreign country as well as what kind of help is available for disaster victims and victims of crime.
Sources:
http://studenttravel.about.com/od/travelemergencies/Travel_Emergencies_Student_Travel_Emergencies_and_Emergency_Help.htm
http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
