EWB-USA Travel Safety Procedures

EWB-USA Travel Safety Procedures
Updated November 2009

The health and safety of our members is a fundamental value of Engineers Without Borders – USA. EWB-USA believes that consistent monitoring of travel conditions is a key component to ensuring the safety of EWB-USA members due to the inherently dynamic environments of developing countries. In response to these concerns, EWB-USA has developed procedures to obtain up to date news and information from around the world and then to create a methodology by which we approve new EWB-USA programs and approve travel by EWB-USA chapters.

EWB-USA receives travel and safety advice through two primary conduits:

International SOS (ISOS)
http://internationalsos.com/en/
EWB-USA member login: 11BCPA000270

EWB-USA subscribes to an assistance policy provided by International SOS (ISOS), an organization that provides assistance to travelers in emergency situations whether they are medical, political or other safety issues. Through its subscription, EWB-USA and its members have access to timely information and 24/7 security advice to help ensure travel safety.

All members of EWB-USA should be aware of the services provided by ISOS. EWB-USA encourages all traveling members to call the hotline for an update closer to their departure date. EWB-USA project managers review the security alerts on the ISOS website prior to trip approval.

***PLEASE SEE PAGE 4 FOR ISOS TRAVEL RISK DEFINITIONS***

U.S. Department of State & the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
http://www.state.gov/travel/
http://www.osac.gov/

The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) is a Federal Advisory Committee associated with the U.S. Department of State, whose charter is to “promote security cooperation between American business and private sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State.” EWB-USA’s Project Coordinator receives daily newsletters from OSAC with a summary of global security news and reports gathered and reported by the OSAC Regional Coordinators. The content of the newsletters include Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Warden Messages issued by the US Department of State. The Project Coordinator monitors the newsletter to stay abreast of changing security environments in the countries where EWB-USA operates.

***PLEASE SEE PAGE 5 FOR DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRAVEL WARNING AND TRAVEL ALERT DEFINITIONS***



Safety and Security of EWB-USA Members

In addition to obtaining and disseminating information concerning travel safety and security, EWB-USA has developed a series of procedures by which it will approve new EWB-USA programs, as well as restrict and allow travel, based on information from International SOS, OSAC, or other sources. The following is the procedure by which this occurs:

1. During every 501 - New Program Application review and during every travel review, EWB-USA will consult the International SOS (ISOS) Travel Security Advice and Country Risk Guide, as well as the U.S. Department of State/OSAC before approving a program or awarding travel approval to chapters. If any of the following situations arise, EWB-USA will handle them as follows:

• EWB-USA will not approve new programs or allow travel to any country or areas within a country rated at “Extreme Risk” by the ISOS Country Risk Guide.

• EWB-USA will not approve new programs or allow travel to any country rated at “High Risk” by the ISOS Country Risk Guide.

• Travel to areas within a country rated at “High Risk” by the ISOS Country Risk Guide and/or have a U.S. Department of State “Travel Alert” issued through OSAC will only be considered if the chapter can, at a minimum, demonstrate to the satisfaction of EWB-USA:
1. That the chapter will not be spending time in high risk regions;
2. How the chapter will adhere to International SOS Travel Security Advice;
3. The precautions that will be taken by the chapter to mitigate risk; and
4. How safe travel to, from, and within specified location(s) will be provided for chapter members.

• Travel to countries or areas within a country which have a U.S. Department of State “Travel Warning” issued, through OSAC, will be considered on a case by case basis and, at a minimum, must demonstrate the same criteria as stated above to the satisfaction of EWB-USA.

The chapter shall provide this information within the “Travel Safety” section of the 521 – Pre-Assessment Report; 525 – Pre-Implementation Report; or 525B – Pre-Implementation Report (Short Form).

• EWB-USA may pull all programs from an entire country if the ISOS Country Risk Rating changes from a Low or Medium Risk level to a High or Extremely High Risk level..

• No new program applications for Haiti will be accepted. Upon careful review of the travel safety plan, chapters with current programs in Haiti may be approved for travel.

2. In addition to the ISOS and Department of State travel security assessments, during every travel review, EWB-USA will also utilize other sources of travel safety information. If any of the following situations arise, EWB-USA will handle them as follows:

• EWB-USA will not allow travel to a country if UN Peace Keepers are in-country due to a threat of violence.

• EWB-USA will not allow travel to a country if major airlines have pulled their travel operations due to security reasons.

• EWB-USA will not allow travel to any country which has no diplomatic or consular ties with the United States. As of November, 2009, this includes: Iran, Cuba, and North Korea.


• EWB-USA will not allow travel by a student chapter if its University/College provides an objection to their traveling. In accordance with the Student Chapter Agreements, all student chapters are also obligated to adhere to and satisfy the requirements of their university.

• Travel restrictions will be considered on a case by case basis to countries where the U.S. Peace Corps has pulled out or has been suspended due to security reasons.

If EWB-USA determines it is necessary to put travel to a country on hold, within one business day, the Chapter Relations Manager will notify all chapters that travel to this country has been put on hold. EWB-USA will provide support to the chapters relative to this decision, such as liaise with the local community/NGO, sponsors, etc. Travel to the country will remain on hold until the security environment has improved to a standard deemed appropriate by the US Department of State and International SOS and EWB-USA has notified the chapter that travel may be resumed.

All EWB-USA chapters and members are highly encouraged to utilize the services of International SOS and to consult the different websites as they research their countries and the travel requirements. If assistance is needed to find these sources, each chapter should consult the EWB-USA website at www.ewb-usa.org or contact their Chapter Relations Manager.



International SOS Risk Definitions

Travel Risk Definitions
The travel security rating evaluates the threat posed to travelers and expatriates by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) as well as violent and petty crime. Other factors, such as the robustness of the transport infrastructure, the state of industrial relations, the effectiveness of the security and emergency services and the country’s susceptibility to natural disasters are also considered where they are of sufficient magnitude to impact the overall risk environment for personnel. However, not all of these issues must be present for a country to warrant a particular risk rating.

Ratings for countries and territories (hereafter known as country risk ratings) are, by nature, broad and cannot adequately describe nationwide conditions in even the smallest of countries. The country rating provides a consolidated overview and point of comparison between countries to assist travelers, expatriates and their managers in their decision-making process regarding secure travel.

In order to provide further clarity, the country risk rating includes an exception statement that highlights regions or cities that constitute a higher or lower level of risk. This is reinforced by nuanced risk mapping that indicates areas of risk variation within countries.

Extreme travel risk
Countries or areas rated at EXTREME RISK may be in a state of war, failed states or states in which the government has lost control of significant portions of the country. Government control and law and order may be minimal or non-existent. There is a serious threat of violent targeted attacks against travelers and expatriates by terrorists, insurgents, sectarian, criminal or other extremist groups. Government and transport services are typically severely degraded or non-existent. Foreigners are likely to have no access to significant parts of the country. Armed escort and stringent preventive security precautions are essential and may not be sufficient to prevent serious injury, kidnap or loss of life.

High travel risk
Countries or areas rated at HIGH RISK have regular periods of political instability and associated problems of poor governance, including high levels of corruption and failed or failing institutions. Protests are frequently violent and may target or disrupt foreigners. There may be a high level of incidental risk to travelers and expatriates from terrorism or insurgency. Communal, sectarian or racial violence is common and foreigners may be directly targeted. Violent crime rates are typically high and scams targeting foreigners are common and often have police complicity. Infrastructure and internal security and emergency services are poor and there may be regular abuses of due legal process. Certain parts of the country are inaccessible or off-limits to the traveler. There is a persistent risk to the traveler and expatriate and employment of security precautions is required to ensure personal protection.

Medium travel risk
Countries or areas rated at MEDIUM RISK may experience periodic political unrest, violent protests or insurgency. The country or area is prone to sporadic acts of terrorism and there may be terrorist organizations with significant operational capacities. Travelers and expatriates may face a risk from communal, sectarian or racial violence. Violent crime rates are likely to impact on foreigners as well as the local population. There are infrastructural weaknesses and inadequacies in the security and emergency services. Industrial action is not uncommon and can impact upon the traveler and expatriate. Transport services are likely to be subject to periodic disruption and safety records are inconsistent. Increased vigilance is warranted for travel or expatriation.



Low travel risk
Countries or areas classified at LOW RISK are on the whole secure and the authorities maintain adequate security and emergency services and sound infrastructure. These countries or areas have low violent crime rates and are generally free of racial, sectarian or political violence or civil unrest. Terrorist organizations have only limited operational capabilities and acts of terrorism are extremely rare. Industrial action and transport disruption are typically infrequent and the government has the capacity to minimize the effect on travelers and expatriates. Travelers and expatriates face few problems and are unlikely to be directly targeted or severely disrupted. Commonsense precautions help minimize associated risks.

U.S. Department of State Definitions

Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert.

Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.