Emergency Help for American Citizens Traveling Abroad

For Americans planning to travel abroad it’s worthwhile to have contact information for the local embassy or consulate. The American Embassy can be a lifesaving resource for Americans traveling abroad. For a US citizen the local embassy is a wealth of information and resources. They can notify you in the event of an emergency, provide you with medical resources such as physicians, air ambulance companies and hospitals, or help you if you have been the victim of a crime.

If you’ve ever seen the television show, “24” or any of the “Bourne Identity” movies you may believe that the embassy is a place of non-stop political action and adventure. The reality is far less heart stopping but they can be a useful resource for an American traveling in a foreign country.

Before you travel you can register with the Embassy in the country where you will be traveling at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp. This will ensure your safety in the event of an emergency as officials will know where to contact you.

When disasters happen abroad, American consular officers can assist you in evacuating the country, if they know where to locate you. When you register you will provide them with a detailed itinerary and passport information for all in your party. If you are traveling with a tour group, they will likely register the tour group but do ask.

Registering with the embassy is especially important if you plan on an extended stay or if you are traveling to countries subject to natural disasters, civil unrest or political instability. You can also contact the embassy in advance to check on conditions in the country.

The embassy will not serve as a personal concierge but in an emergency, they can assist you with much needed help. For example, if you were injured or became ill while traveling they could provide you or your family with the information for an air ambulance service. The air ambulance company could then coordinate with the local hospital and safely transport you to a hospital in your home location.

The embassy can help not only in medical emergencies but also personal emergencies. If your passport was lost or stolen while traveling the embassy could help you to secure replacement documentation.

Many people travel abroad without incident. However, it pays to plan in advance by having a list of emergency resources just in case. This can be particularly important for medical emergencies. Make sure that you have an emergency list of contacts that includes your local physician, pharmacy (if taking prescribed medication), insurance company, medical evacuation company (they will have a 24 hour line accessible worldwide), hospital and of course the local U.S. Embassy.