International SOS medical, aviation, security and logistic resources in Bangkok, New Delhi, Jakarta and Singapore have been activated in response to the disaster wrecked by the Sumatra earthquake.
Upon notification of the tragedy, four Crisis Management Teams in Bangkok, New Delhi, Jakarta and Singapore were assembled and advance contingency planning for individual and mass medical and security evacuations was initiated.
A team of two security and logistics specialists were deployed immediately to Phuket to assist at the disaster scene. A medical team will also be arriving in Phuket this evening to assist clients.
Two other teams will also be deployed to Male in Maldives and Colombo in Sri Lanka respectively to provide medical and travel-related assistance to travellers and expatriates affected by the disaster. First-hand information from the teams on the ground will assist the crisis management teams to organise evacuations when necessary.
International SOS is also working closely with embassies and consulates in the affected areas to render assistance to travelers and expatriates. Ongoing medical and security advice and assistance, crisis decision support will continue to be provided 24 hours via the International SOS network of alarm centres across the Asia region.
SOS Travel Advice
In addition, we are updating clients with travel advice regularly to assist them with preparing and responding to the crisis. The latest travel advice is as follows:
Individual SOS Members in the affected locations are strongly advised to move to a location away from coastlines. Further tsunamis are possible as a result of aftershocks, although these are unlikely to be as large as the initial wave.
Once in a secure location, individuals should wait for emergency response provided by the government.
Those who have been evacuated or are likely to be evacuated from their hotels or residences, should do the following:
- Ensure access to reliable water and food supplies. The availability of potable water is likely going to be a problem in the affected areas in the near-term.
- Take a small emergency kit containing first-aid supplies, emergency lights, and medicines especially for those with existing medical conditions.
- Inform others of their location, condition, and immediate intentions.
- Limit mobile phone calls to a minimum to conserve battery life.
- Maintain awareness of the local situation through radio or other available means.
- Keep passports and travel documents ready in case of sudden repatriation.
Companies are strongly advised to proactively account for their personnel. In particular, they should consider individuals who might be on holiday in the affected areas. If possible, obtain travel details of employees on holiday, such as hotels they are staying, airline bookings and travel schedules. SOS Members who have been injured in the disaster are advised to contact their nearest SOS Alarm Center or Clinic in the following locations:
Jakarta, Indonesia : +62 21 750 6001
Bangkok, Thailand : +66 02 256 7146
New Delhi, India : +91 11 5189 8800
Singapore : +65 6338 7800
About International SOS
International SOS (
http://www.internationalsos.com/) is the world's leading provider of global medical and security assistance. International SOS provides clients with a comprehensive portfolio of medical and security services to ensure that people travelling and working internationally have access to immediate help. Services range from 24-hour medical advice, referrals to qualified doctors and hospitals and provision of emergency medical and security evacuations when there is a critical illness or accident, or civil unrest.
The emergency assistance programme of choice for thousands of multi-national and Fortune 500 companies, International SOS handled over 370,000 assistance cases last year, including more than 10,000 medical evacuations. It also provided care to a further 170,000 patients at its network of 22 International SOS clinics.
International SOS has global operations in over 60 countries, spanning five continents and employs over 3,700 dedicated professionals in SOS Alarm Centres, clinics and remote medical facilities. With 30 years of experience, International SOS has established a global reputation for an unmatched level of service known for its quality, professionalism and integrity.
For more information, please contact:
Grace Ngoh
International SOS
DID: (65) 6330-0134
Mobile: (65) 9878-9623
Email:
grace.ngoh@internationalsos.com
