EWB Health and SafetyEWB Health and SafetyProgram & Project Program & Project

SecuritySecurity(Staying alive)(Staying alive)

OutlineOutline• Sensory overload/Culture Sensory overload/Culture

shockshock• Pre-trip Security Pre-trip Security

InformationInformation• Situational Situational

awareness/instinctsawareness/instincts• CommunicationsCommunications• Moving MoneyMoving Money• Crime Crime • Embassy servicesEmbassy services

Does anyone have a good photo of a crowded African/Asian Does anyone have a good photo of a crowded African/Asian marketplace or airport parking lot? I want to capture just how marketplace or airport parking lot? I want to capture just how shocking it can be to step off the plane and see the crush of people, shocking it can be to step off the plane and see the crush of people, livestock, cars, beggars, market stalls, and stuff they are likely to livestock, cars, beggars, market stalls, and stuff they are likely to encounter after a 17 hours of flying. I want to fill the screen with encounter after a 17 hours of flying. I want to fill the screen with that. This is Marrakesh (not my photo, it’s by that. This is Marrakesh (not my photo, it’s by Julian Huxley-Parlour of Julian Huxley-Parlour of LondonLondon))

YouYou

A reality check:A reality check:• Every year, 80 million people travel from developed countries to Every year, 80 million people travel from developed countries to

less developed countries.less developed countries.• For every 100,000 travelers per month: 50,000 get sick, 8,000 see For every 100,000 travelers per month: 50,000 get sick, 8,000 see

a physician, and 1 diesa physician, and 1 dies• For the every 500 to 1,000 who die annually, 50-75% die from For the every 500 to 1,000 who die annually, 50-75% die from

cardiovascular and chronic disease, 20-25% from trauma (mostly cardiovascular and chronic disease, 20-25% from trauma (mostly motor vehicular accidents), and 4% from infectious disease.motor vehicular accidents), and 4% from infectious disease.

• For every 100,000 travelers annually, 2 to 8 travelers are For every 100,000 travelers annually, 2 to 8 travelers are kidnapped annually. That's 1,600 - 6,400 people a year based on kidnapped annually. That's 1,600 - 6,400 people a year based on the 80 million travelers.the 80 million travelers.

• Statistics on non-natural deaths, including date, manner of Statistics on non-natural deaths, including date, manner of death and city and country are found on the website:death and city and country are found on the website:

• http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/death/http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/death/death_600.html?country=0death_600.html?country=0

Death of U.S. Citizens Abroad by Non-Natural CausesDeath of U.S. Citizens Abroad by Non-Natural Causes

• 1061 1061 reported reported deaths from deaths from non-natural non-natural causescauses

• 267 vehicle 267 vehicle accidentsaccidents

• 219 219 homicides homicides (many in (many in Mexico, Mexico, mostly mostly Tijuana and Tijuana and Juarez)Juarez)

• 133 suicides133 suicides• 125 were 125 were

caught in caught in natural natural disasters disasters (mostly Haiti (mostly Haiti earthquake)earthquake)

• 113 113 drowningsdrownings

PreparationPreparation

Before you go:Before you go:• Learn as much as you can about the host Learn as much as you can about the host

country as possible before traveling, including country as possible before traveling, including recent security issues/trendsrecent security issues/trends

• Get a decent night of sleep before travel and Get a decent night of sleep before travel and sleep on the planesleep on the plane

• Schedule lightly on the first day and last day of Schedule lightly on the first day and last day of traveltravel

• Start the trail of breadcrumbs with US-based Start the trail of breadcrumbs with US-based support:support:• Email/SMS Photo of passport/vaccination Email/SMS Photo of passport/vaccination

recordsrecords• H&S plan with itinerary, emergency H&S plan with itinerary, emergency

contacts, mapscontacts, maps• Establish method of communicationEstablish method of communication• Register your trip with the US State Register your trip with the US State

DepartmentDepartment

Researching your situationResearching your situation

• ISOS ISOS • US State Department US State Department • Travel guidesTravel guides• The NewsThe News• Your In-country partners and Your In-country partners and

associatesassociates• Other LocalsOther Locals

* Required in HASP* Required in HASP

US Department of StateUS Department of State

Travel.State.GovTravel.State.Gov

•Research your Research your countrycountry

•Register your Register your travel with the travel with the embassyembassy

•Get travel alerts Get travel alerts by SMS to youby SMS to you

* Required in HASP* Required in HASP

• EWB-USA membership EWB-USA membership no.: no.: 11BCPA00027011BCPA000270

• Health and Security Health and Security information, updated information, updated regularlyregularly

• Emergency extraction Emergency extraction serviceservice

• Custom reports can be Custom reports can be requested for your requested for your itineraryitinerary

International SOSInternational SOShttp://www.internationalsos.com/en/http://www.internationalsos.com/en/

http://www.fco.gov.uk/http://www.fco.gov.uk/United Kingdom Foreign and United Kingdom Foreign and

Commonwealth OfficeCommonwealth Office• Information Information

provided is very provided is very conciseconcise

• Often most Often most pragmatic and pragmatic and current current

• Very well Very well organizedorganized

Situational Situational AwarenessAwareness

In generalIn general• Don’t be aloneDon’t be alone• Don’t drink or take recreational drugsDon’t drink or take recreational drugs• Avoid displays of wealth Avoid displays of wealth • Have a means of communicationHave a means of communication• Be aware of where you areBe aware of where you are• Watch what is going on around youWatch what is going on around you• Let others know where you areLet others know where you are• Have an exit strategyHave an exit strategy• Have fun, but be purposefulHave fun, but be purposeful

The AirportThe Airport

• Keep your medications, a change of Keep your medications, a change of clothes, and your money in your carry-on clothes, and your money in your carry-on baggagebaggage

• Avoid random offers of currency exchange Avoid random offers of currency exchange or cell services, accept no packages or or cell services, accept no packages or unknown bagsunknown bags

• Pick up luggage quickly and always have Pick up luggage quickly and always have someone watch itsomeone watch it

• The shops inside the airport are a good The shops inside the airport are a good time to break a couple large billstime to break a couple large bills

Business travelers in the U.S., Europe and United Business travelers in the U.S., Europe and United Arab Emirates lose or misplace more than 16,000 Arab Emirates lose or misplace more than 16,000

laptops per week.laptops per week.

http://www.ponemon.org/local/upload/fckjail/generalcontent/18/file/LostLaptopsDell%20EMEA%20Final%208.pdfhttp://www.ponemon.org/local/upload/fckjail/generalcontent/18/file/LostLaptopsDell%20EMEA%20Final%208.pdf

Bring it• Emergency Contact

Page• Cell Phone and

charger• GPS • Headlamp• Extra batteries• Credit card• Copies of

prescriptions for any meds that you need

• Photocopy of passport/vaccination record

Leave it• Your brand new

laptop/camera/smartphone/iPad

• Jewelry/expensive Watches

• Large quantities (over $250) of cash

• Nonessential vitamin supplements

• Potentially offensive material (political books, religious pamphlets, anything racy)

• Pepper spray

In VehiclesIn Vehicles• Schedule car travel for daylight hoursSchedule car travel for daylight hours• Doors locked, seatbelts on. Avoid riding in Doors locked, seatbelts on. Avoid riding in

pickup bedspickup beds• Remind your driver to drive conservativelyRemind your driver to drive conservatively• Keep at least one person awake in the car Keep at least one person awake in the car

and know where you are going. Use GPS to and know where you are going. Use GPS to track position if you are somewhere newtrack position if you are somewhere new

• Traffic stops are common in Africa. Ask your Traffic stops are common in Africa. Ask your driver if there will be any on your trip driver if there will be any on your trip and what you need to have and what you need to have (money, passports, etc)(money, passports, etc)

On BusesOn Buses

• Be willing to pay more for a more secure Be willing to pay more for a more secure reputable companyreputable company

• Bus depots are popular spots for theftBus depots are popular spots for theft• Have luggage in your possession at all times Have luggage in your possession at all times

if possibleif possible• Valuables, money, and passports should be Valuables, money, and passports should be

on personon person• The middle of the bus is generally the safest The middle of the bus is generally the safest

place in an accident and from theftplace in an accident and from theft• Be suspicious of people whoBe suspicious of people who

sit unnecessarily close to you sit unnecessarily close to you on a bus or in the terminalon a bus or in the terminal

On TrainsOn Trains• Keep valuables on your berth while you Keep valuables on your berth while you

sleep instead of the overhead/under-seat sleep instead of the overhead/under-seat storagestorage

• Keep the window closed while sleeping at Keep the window closed while sleeping at nightnight

The MarketThe Market• Stay in groupsStay in groups• Avoid offers of currency exchange, appeals for Avoid offers of currency exchange, appeals for

help or moneyhelp or money• Giving money to beggars will not make them Giving money to beggars will not make them

go awaygo away• Avoid engaging with people that try to confront Avoid engaging with people that try to confront

you in a threatening manner- Just get awayyou in a threatening manner- Just get away• Expose cash only to pay, keep purchased items Expose cash only to pay, keep purchased items

securesecure• Taking photographs of peopleTaking photographs of people

can arouse suspicion and can arouse suspicion and anger. anger.

The CommunityThe Community• Be respectful of local customs, but obey your Be respectful of local customs, but obey your

instinctsinstincts• Women- avoid being alone with local menWomen- avoid being alone with local men• Men – avoid being alone with local womenMen – avoid being alone with local women• Children will be precocious, try to get hands on Children will be precocious, try to get hands on

everything; be patient and entertaining, but everything; be patient and entertaining, but keep an eye on your gearkeep an eye on your gear

• Beware persistent followers, people who get Beware persistent followers, people who get too friendlytoo friendly

• Decline offers of any illicit drugs, black market Decline offers of any illicit drugs, black market currency exchange, or anything you are unsure currency exchange, or anything you are unsure ofof

CommunicationsCommunications

Local cell phones or SIM Local cell phones or SIM cardscards• Rent or buy on arrival, from reputable vendorRent or buy on arrival, from reputable vendor

• Look at your own international plans, iPhones Look at your own international plans, iPhones might automatically workmight automatically work

• Program with key numbers immediatelyProgram with key numbers immediately• Know limits of coverage, dead zonesKnow limits of coverage, dead zones• Rent a satellite phone in advance:Rent a satellite phone in advance:

• http://www.mobal.com/satellite-phone-rental/http://www.mobal.com/satellite-phone-rental/• http://www.satellitephonestore.com/http://www.satellitephonestore.com/• http://www.satellitephonerentals.org/http://www.satellitephonerentals.org/

• Figure out how to keep the phone charged at Figure out how to keep the phone charged at all timesall times

• Find out where to buy minutesFind out where to buy minutes• Keep the adapter somewhere closeKeep the adapter somewhere close• 12V adapter12V adapter• Solar chargerSolar charger

Internet cafésInternet cafés• Go to the café in a group and sit together so Go to the café in a group and sit together so

your computer is never left unattended if you your computer is never left unattended if you leave to get soda/use bathroomleave to get soda/use bathroom

• Clear the browser history and clear cookies Clear the browser history and clear cookies before you leave the computer, restart it if before you leave the computer, restart it if possible.possible.

• Avoid logging into banking websitesAvoid logging into banking websites• Change your passwords when you get homeChange your passwords when you get home

US Check-in contactUS Check-in contact• Does NOT have to be an EWB-USA Does NOT have to be an EWB-USA

member, but they do have to take the job member, but they do have to take the job seriouslyseriously

• Use any method (Facebook, blog, SMS, Use any method (Facebook, blog, SMS, email, phone call) to check in—do so on a email, phone call) to check in—do so on a regular, pre-planned scheduleregular, pre-planned schedule

• Brief the check-in on the itinerary and Brief the check-in on the itinerary and schedule. Give them a copy of the H&S planschedule. Give them a copy of the H&S plan

• Make sure that the check in is ok with Make sure that the check in is ok with being available 24/7 in case something being available 24/7 in case something comes up. We need cell phones, not office comes up. We need cell phones, not office numbersnumbers

Moving MoneyMoving Money

MethodsMethodsCashCash

Bank to bank Bank to bank transfertransfer

Western UnionWestern Union

ATMsATMs

Mobile phone Mobile phone transfertransfer

Transfer to local Transfer to local NGO via NGO via Rotary Rotary InternationalInternational

theft, loss, duty fees or theft, loss, duty fees or confiscationconfiscation

fees, exchange rates, currency fees, exchange rates, currency availabilityavailability

fees, delay, “accidental” lossfees, delay, “accidental” loss

availability, limits, theftavailability, limits, theft

Not suitable for larger Not suitable for larger amountsamounts

Transfer to local NGO via Transfer to local NGO via Rotary InternationalRotary International

CrimeCrime

PreventionPrevention• Buddy systemBuddy system• Pay attention to your surroundings and instinctsPay attention to your surroundings and instincts• Be vague with strangers about who you are and Be vague with strangers about who you are and

what you are doingwhat you are doing• Be polite and respectful, but if you sense danger Be polite and respectful, but if you sense danger

do not hesitate to be firm and extract yourself do not hesitate to be firm and extract yourself from a situation.from a situation.

• If you hear or see something unusual, or see locals If you hear or see something unusual, or see locals running for cover, look for cover yourself; running for cover, look for cover yourself; otherwise avoid crowdsotherwise avoid crowds

• Remember that you are subject to host country Remember that you are subject to host country rule of law; in most cases it is very different from rule of law; in most cases it is very different from US lawUS law

• Drugs… Don’t be anywhere near themDrugs… Don’t be anywhere near them• Avoid leaving your secure lodgings at nightAvoid leaving your secure lodgings at night

• Laptop/camera/cash theft from hotel room is Laptop/camera/cash theft from hotel room is very common Never leave these items in open very common Never leave these items in open viewview

• Secure your own physical safety as quickly as Secure your own physical safety as quickly as possiblepossible

• If you are otherwise uninjured, make a quick, If you are otherwise uninjured, make a quick, accurate tally of what was taken and alert local accurate tally of what was taken and alert local law enforcement law enforcement

• Depending on the nature/severity of the loss, Depending on the nature/severity of the loss, contact your travel insurance provider, the US contact your travel insurance provider, the US Embassy, and other affected or assisting Embassy, and other affected or assisting partiesparties

Robberies and Property TheftRobberies and Property Theft

AssaultAssault

• Any assault, but especially sexual assault Any assault, but especially sexual assault should be treated as a should be treated as a medical emergencymedical emergency. Get . Get to medical attention immediatelyto medical attention immediately• Shock can mask injuriesShock can mask injuries• Emergency contraception and STD testingEmergency contraception and STD testing

• EWB-USA and ISOS have resources to get you EWB-USA and ISOS have resources to get you extracted and to appropriate medical facilitiesextracted and to appropriate medical facilities

• EWB-USA will keep information confidentialEWB-USA will keep information confidential

cathy.leslie@ewb-usa.orgcathy.leslie@ewb-usa.org

303-478-8244303-478-8244

Carjacking/KidnappingCarjacking/Kidnapping• Avoid nighttime drivingAvoid nighttime driving• Keep distance between you and car in Keep distance between you and car in

front of youfront of you• Always keep your doors lockedAlways keep your doors locked• Be on high alert during accidents Be on high alert during accidents

Your decision to fight should be based onYour decision to fight should be based on• The type of attackThe type of attack• Environment (isolated or public)Environment (isolated or public)• Mental state of the attackers Mental state of the attackers • Number of attackersNumber of attackers• WeaponsWeapons

Carjacking/KidnappingCarjacking/Kidnapping

In the event of a kidnapping, do what you can to In the event of a kidnapping, do what you can to survive, but you can play an active role in your survive, but you can play an active role in your rescue:rescue:

• Make sure people miss you quickly and Make sure people miss you quickly and know where you are supposed to beknow where you are supposed to be

• Leave breadcrumbs for rescuers to find you Leave breadcrumbs for rescuers to find you (write last 4 of SS #)(write last 4 of SS #)

• Gather data about your captors (appearance, Gather data about your captors (appearance, names, locations, numbers, cars)names, locations, numbers, cars)

• Buy some time for rescue: try to establish Buy some time for rescue: try to establish some rapport with your captorssome rapport with your captors

• Try to find your momentTry to find your moment

• Self-extraction is usually the least expensive and quickest Self-extraction is usually the least expensive and quickest optionoption

• Identify alternate routes, means of returning without Identify alternate routes, means of returning without external supportexternal support

• Consider funds, capability to pay via credit card or Consider funds, capability to pay via credit card or instrument for emergency transport or flightsinstrument for emergency transport or flights

• The best airport to leave from might not be the closestThe best airport to leave from might not be the closest

Emergency Exit Emergency Exit PlanPlan

• Have contact numbers and a dependable Have contact numbers and a dependable means of communicationmeans of communication

• Be able to give “hard” locations: street Be able to give “hard” locations: street intersection, GPS coordinates, well-known intersection, GPS coordinates, well-known landmarks or structureslandmarks or structures

• Be prepared to self sustain for at least 72 hoursBe prepared to self sustain for at least 72 hours• Food/WaterFood/Water• ShelterShelter• MedicationsMedications• CommunicationCommunication• SecuritySecurity

All volunteers must carry insurance that covers All volunteers must carry insurance that covers extractionextraction

If you need rescueIf you need rescue

US Embassy US Embassy ServicesServices

Embassy/Consular Embassy/Consular ServicesServices• Up-to-date, often unpublished information on Up-to-date, often unpublished information on

current political, social, and crime trends; current political, social, and crime trends; specific areas to avoidspecific areas to avoid

• STEP program; registry of visiting US citizensSTEP program; registry of visiting US citizens• Replacement of passport, and certain other Replacement of passport, and certain other

documents, if lost or stolendocuments, if lost or stolen• Limited legal consulting servicesLimited legal consulting services• Receive security alerts via SMSReceive security alerts via SMS

What a Consular Officer CAN Do What a Consular Officer CAN Do For YouFor You

• Assist you in contacting a loved one who is traveling or Assist you in contacting a loved one who is traveling or residing in a foreign countryresiding in a foreign country

• Assist you if a loved one dies while in a foreign countryAssist you if a loved one dies while in a foreign country• Help you replace a lost or stolen passportHelp you replace a lost or stolen passport• Visit you in jail, if you have been arrestedVisit you in jail, if you have been arrested• Provide you with a list of local attorneys who can Provide you with a list of local attorneys who can

represent you if you have been arrestedrepresent you if you have been arrested• Notify your loved ones if you have been arrestedNotify your loved ones if you have been arrested• Relay requests for money or assistance to your loved Relay requests for money or assistance to your loved

ones after arrestones after arrest• Work with local authorities to attempt to ensure that Work with local authorities to attempt to ensure that

you are treated humanely, in keeping with local laws, you are treated humanely, in keeping with local laws, and according to international human rights principlesand according to international human rights principles

• Protest your mistreatment or abuse while you are Protest your mistreatment or abuse while you are jailed or interrogated by foreign authoritiesjailed or interrogated by foreign authorities

•Have you released from jail if you have been Have you released from jail if you have been arrested in a foreign countryarrested in a foreign country•Act as your personal attorney or represent you Act as your personal attorney or represent you at trialat trial•Use government funds to pay any fees or fines Use government funds to pay any fees or fines with which you may be chargedwith which you may be charged

What a Consular Officer CANNOT What a Consular Officer CANNOT dodo

• US DOS maintains capability to assist US US DOS maintains capability to assist US citizens abroad in extreme emergenciescitizens abroad in extreme emergencies

• A Regional Security Officer (RSO) is assigned to A Regional Security Officer (RSO) is assigned to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in each US the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in each US embassy and most consulatesembassy and most consulates

• In emergencies, the US DOS will extract In emergencies, the US DOS will extract associated non-US citizens, but those team associated non-US citizens, but those team members should be aware of the services and members should be aware of the services and protections offered by their country of protections offered by their country of citizenshipcitizenship

Special NoteSpecial Note

QuestionsQuestions