Practices by Stakeholder 3

Type of Practices by Stakeholder: 
States of origin
Description: 

Crisis alert systems

Alert systems that monitor crises in host States and direct authorities to act based on the intensity of the crisis provide certainty for authorities and for citizens abroad. Actions corresponding to the level of crisis may range from voluntary restrictions on travel, voluntary return, or mandatory evacuation or return. Phases of crisis alert systems can include:

A precautionary phase, where the response can include:

  • Monitoring the situation;
  • Assessing and updating contingency plans;
  • Activating a crisis management team and other support structures;
  • Coordinating with employers to ensure their preparedness to implement their respective contingency plans;
  • Advising citizens to acquire or locate identity documents.

A restriction phase, where the response can include:

  • Advising citizens to shelter in place with due regard to heightened risks;
  • Mobilizing key personnel to relevant sites;  
  • Securing travel clearances and exit routes;
  • Preparing for the return and reintegration of citizens.

A voluntary return phase, where the response can include:

  • Implementing procedures for citizens to relocate elsewhere within the host State;
  • Urging and assisting citizens to return to their State of origin.

A mandatory return phase where the response can include:

  • Implementing evacuation and return procedures.

Local consular contingency plans

States of origin may have standard contingency plans for protecting citizens abroad but these may need to be adapted to the local context in host States. Mission-specific contingency plans can include:

  • Data on citizens in the host State (e.g., number, location, characteristics);
  • Crisis management team organization, functions, procedures, and specific roles of team members for emergency response. Such teams can be established on a permanent basis at the mission level and, as appropriate, be headed by the ambassador or consul general, and be comprised of labor attachés, welfare officers, social welfare attachés, police attachés, military attachés, or political officers;
  • Exit routes by air, land, or sea;
  • Temporary relocation sites, including within the host State;
  • Logistical requirements and cost estimates;
  • Key contacts in the host and transit States and international organizations;
  • Contact information of consular officials and staff;
  • Contact information of transport, accommodation, and other key service providers;
  • Details on capacities and resources for the relocation or evacuation of citizens;
  • Cooperation mechanisms with other consular missions in the region;
  • Cooperation mechanisms with consular missions of other States of origin.

Evacuation plans and guidelines

Clear rules and criteria for carrying out evacuations could include:

  • Criteria for making the decision to evacuate;
  • Eligibility criteria for who will be evacuated (e.g., whether evacuations cover citizens, non-citizen family members, internationally recruited staff, or nationally recruited staff);
  • Documentation requirements to prove eligibility;
  • Procedures to provide temporary documentation if identity or travel documents were lost, destroyed, or confiscated;
  • Communication of evacuation procedures (e.g., including information on evacuation procedures in document packages that accompany issuance of passports, as a followup to registration of foreign travel, or on consular post websites);
  • Mechanisms to request assistance;
  • Responsibility for associated costs;
  • Identification of evacuation sites, in the host State as well as neighboring or other States;
  • Arrangements for particularly vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied and separated children, persons with disabilities, and victims of trafficking or exploitation;
  • Procedures to take personal belongings, including pets and personal property;
  • Customs and other clearance processes;
  • Identification of and liaison with recruitment and placement agencies sending workers abroad or major employers in the host State.

Crisis or rapid response teams

Crisis or rapid response teams can be established to be deployed on short notice in the event of emergencies to support structures in place in the host State. Such teams could include consular specialists and officers from appropriate agencies of the State of origin that are trained to undertake consular or humanitarian assistance. The roles and functions of teams can include:

  • Updating and maintaining information on citizens in the host State;
  • Gathering intelligence reports and providing local, real-time, independent and credible assessments of the political and security situation in the host State;
  • Assisting in updating and implementing evacuation and contingency plans;
  • Negotiating with host States, States of transit, employers, or other relevant actors, as necessary, to remove barriers to providing citizens with assistance;
  • Assisting in locating citizens and relocating them to a safer and more secure area.