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About Evacuation, Repatriation, and Closing a Program
Policy Information:Evacuation
If a crisis escalates making withdrawal necessary, the on-site administrator “must devote more attention to ensuring the safety of students, staff and dependents.” (Crisis Management Handbook, p.14) Information should be disseminated at the beginning of the program detailing the communication network, location of safe havens and transportation to them, along with alternatives/contingencies if the plan fails. Should a mass evacuation be necessary and commercial transportation is disrupted, embassies and consulates work to charter special flights and ground transportation to help U.S. citizens evacuate the country. If this type of evacuation is necessary, administrators should attempt to follow a study abroad emergency plan to close the study abroad center.
The U.S. State Department Family Liaison Office’s Direct Communication Project about Evacuation http://www.state.gov/www/flo/paper10.html
Repatriation
“No college or education abroad program should allow a student to travel abroad without sufficient medical insurance coverage for all possible medical needs, including coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, accident and life insurance.” (NAFSA's Guide to Education Abroad for Advisors and Administrators, p.224) The costs of repatriation of a body are often very high and they must be paid by the family.
Closing a Program
Sample Forms: Web Links:- Education Abroad Emergency Protocol
- Safety in University of Delaware Study Abroad Programs: Crisis Response Protocols
- Emergency Management Plan Workbook
- Potential Evacuation of Students from Program Site
- Getting Out
- Appalachian International Crisis Management Protocols
- SAFETI On-line Newsletter: A Student's Response to Injury and Medical Evacuation from Abroad to the U.S.
- US State Department: Emergency Services to U.S. Citizens Abroad
- The Center for Global Education Study Abroad Safety Handbook: Medical Care and Insurance