International SOS

Since the July 2023 coup that deposed the government led by Mohamed Bazoum the operating environment in Niger has changed, requiring a different approach to security. The country has now reopened its borders with Nigeria after the removal of sanctions that had been imposed by the Economic Community of West African States. International SOS’ Lead Security Analyst for the Sahel region, Rory Keith, d...

International SOS has been working to enhance our analysis and advice around travel risks for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our new report can help them, and their managers, understand and assess challenges in complex environments. Our security and medical experts explain how it can be used to help improve experiences for members of the community and those travelling with them.

People in Mexico are due to vote in a general election on 2 June. Among the many offices being elected, voters will elect a new president, with the ruling Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum widely expected to win. International SOS’ Lead Security Analyst for Mexico, Raul Iglesias looks at the security environment ahead of the election, and offers advice for travellers and domestic workforce.

Bengaluru witnessed a water shortage in 2024, with businesses looking to understand how they could mitigate operational and duty-of-care risks. It is vital to understand the underlying causes, the shortage's geographical impact and how that has affected businesses, both from security and medical standpoints.

France has declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia amid unrest relating to proposed electoral reforms. Security reinforcements have been sent to regain control of access routes to key ports of departure, including La Tontouta International Airport. International SOS’ security and medical experts offer advice to clients whose workforce may have been affected by the p...

India is holding its parliamentary election in phases, with voting spanning 19 April to 1 June. Anugya Chitransh, the Lead Security Analyst for South Asia, discusses the travel and security risks in the states going to polls on 7, 13 and 20 May.

Voting in Chad’s presidential election is due to take place on the 6 May. Nine candidates, including transitional president Mahamat Deby, are due to take part in the contest. Our security experts say there is a substantial risk of unrest following the announcement of the result scheduled for 21 May and offer this advice to keep you and your workforce safe.

International SOS recently conducted a complex evacuation of multiple clients impacted by the escalation in gang violence in Haiti. International SOS' Chief Security Analyst - West, Mike Rogers, Regional Air Transport Manager for the Americas, Cat Peltier as well as Security Director's Henning Snyman and Paul Doucet describe how a multidisciplinary crisis management team overcame security, logisti...

We are continuing to closely monitor tensions in the Middle East following recent escalations involving several countries including Israel. Polina Vynogradova, International SOS’ lead security analyst covering the Middle East and North Africa, offers an update about latest situation and assesses what effect it could have on the wider region.

We recently conducted a trip to Jamaica to assess the in-country security situation, accommodation options and provider capability. Security Director, Assistance for the Americas region Paul Doucet travelled to the capital Kingston and other locations popular with business travellers and tourists. His visit followed the US state department's updated advice, saying people should reconsider tra...

Road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, causing nearly 1.2 million deaths annually. According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, two-thirds of people killed in crashes are aged between 18 and 59 - a demographic critical to the global workforce. International SOS has teamed up with the Global Road Safety Partnership to develop a new digita...

France has raised its terror alert level to its highest tier after the recent security incident in a concert hall in Moscow. It comes months before Paris is set to host the Summer Games, which are expected to draw millions of visitors to the country. International SOS' lead security analyst Rory Keith and our Global Director for Security, Assistance James Waddington offer insights into why France...

International SOS recently conducted an in-country assessment of South Africa's security environment. High crime rates pose a risk to many business travellers and International SOS recommends that people exercise heightened vigilance at all times. The country also suffers from widespread power cuts and water shortages. Security Manger for Assistance Edward Callow, who carried out the assessme...

A team from International SOS recently conducted a trip to Rwanda and Burundi to assess the security situation in both countries, as well as vet accommodation options and security provider capabilities. Our lead security analyst for Central Africa, Tarun Nijjer, discusses his findings with regard to the upcoming Rwanda elections, broader regional tensions amid the conflict in eastern Congo (DRC) a...

International SOS is advising travellers to defer all travel to Haiti and is working to help organisations whose workforce are in the country leave safely, as soon as it is feasible to do so. Heavily armed gangs have recently targeted critical infrastructure, putting pressure on Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign, which he has now agreed to do. Our security experts share their assessment of the...

International SOS has raised its Risk Rating to HIGH for more areas of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, close to the Turkish and Iranian borders. This decision was taken following a review of the security landscape, including an in-country assessment by Lead Security Analyst for Iraq Polina Vynogradova.

Countrywide fuel shortages have caused significant disruption to air and road travel across Papua New Guinea. Our security and operations experts give their assessment of the current situation and provide details on how International SOS can support clients in the event of an escalation.

Business travel to Israel and the West Bank has been disrupted since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on 7 October 2023. While International SOS continues to advise against non-essential travel, the risks posed to workforce in southern Israel have now fallen, with rocket fire targeting major Israeli cities having decreased significantly. International SOS’ Lead Security Analyst for Israel an...

Farmer groups in India have reignited protests, aiming to replicate their success in 2020-21, as the country heads towards a crucial general election. Our Security Specialist Preetish Kamat, who was recently on the ground at the Singhu border between Haryana state and the capital New Delhi, witnessed first hand the security measures used by the security forces to prevent the protesters reaching th...

A team from International SOS recently deployed to Guatemala to assess the country's security environment, and to observe the inauguration of President Bernardo Arevalo following several months of political uncertainty and protests. Lead Security Analyst Raul Iglesias witnessed tensions ahead of the inauguration while he was in Guatemala City and offers an assessment of the challenges Arevalo face...

Two years into the conflict in Ukraine, we look at what is happening on the front line and the challenges that Ukraine faces domestically and internationally. Lead Security Analyst for Ukraine and Russia Louise Hogan also offers her predictions as to how we expect the conflict to proceed over the next six to 12 months.

We recently conducted a trip to Equatorial Guinea to assess the in-country security situation, accommodation options and provider capability. Security Manager Ricardo Lenoir offers tips for workforce travelling to Malabo or Bata, and offers advice about what they can expect while they are there.

International SOS recommends non-essential travel to Senegal can resume with caution following protests in Dakar after the country postponed its presidential election to December. The opposition said it is planning to challenge the deferral. Lead Security Analyst for West Africa Kirna Kataria and Security Manager Benedikt Zimmermann tell us what the delay means for the country and offer an assessm...

A rise in global measles cases is causing concern amongst health officials. The World Health Organization states that there was more than a 30-fold increase in cases in Europe last year. Experts in the US are also worried about the spread of the highly contagious disease. International SOS’ Regional Medical Director Dr Kate O’Reilly and Nurse Co-ordinator Katie Williams tell us what’s behind the r...

There is a heightened risk of unrest in Pakistan linked to political activity around the upcoming general election. International SOS is advising people to defer all travel to the country from 5-12 February. International SOS' Lead Security Analyst Louise Hogan and Senior Security Specialist Irina Skvortsova offer our latest insight on the situation in Pakistan and the security challenges ahead.