International SOS

As the crisis in Sudan continues hostilities are expected to persist in the coming days. Essential services such as water, electricity supply, internet and communications have also been disrupted. Healthcare services are currently restricted to emergency care only and there's growing concern about critical shortage of medical supplies. International SOS Regional Medical Director for Assistance for...

As the crisis continues in Sudan, concern is growing for people affected by the hostilities. Residents are reported to be low on food and water as the situation continues and looting increases. There are also fears that hospitals face shortages of blood and medical supply. International SOS’ Lead Security Analyst for the Mashreq and Iran region, Polina Vynogradova, and Dr Ryan Copeland, Regional M...

In a world of abundance, beyond the traditional modes of transportation and accomodation, it has become more common for young people to choose budget-friendly options while travelling abroad. In favour of a shared economy, driven by the convenience of our smart phones and technology, it is imperative to understand how to stay safe even when picking cheaper options. International SOS Security Direc...

Widespread power cuts are causing huge problems across South Africa, with millions of people affected every day. As the days go by, the crisis continues to impact the economy, businesses as well as the security environment. In the latest podcast, International SOS' Lead Security Analyst for East and Southern Africa, Salome Odhiambo, joins Senior Security Specialist, Anelisiwe Hatto, as both have r...

Guinea is currently undergoing a political transition following a military coup in late 2021. Although the military government has agreed to hold elections in the West African country in 2025, tensions remain high. Despite the ban on demonstrations, protests are likely to become more frequent. International SOS' Lead Security Analyst for West and Central Africa, Kirna Kataria, and Senior Security...

Pakistan is simultanously experiencing three crises: a deteriorating economic situation, an escalating terror threat and increasing political instability. Tensions have been running high since the country’s former prime minister was removed from office in April 2022.  International SOS' Lead Security Analyst covering Pakistan, Louise Hogan, has been giving her assessment on the problems...

A long-lasting tropical cyclone that hit Mozambique for the second time in a month has caused widespread floods and damage to buildings, exacerbating the conditions that allow cholera to flourish. Malawi has also been heavily impacted by the storm and the government has declared a state of disaster in at least ten of the southern districts.  International SOS Deputy Medical Director in Mozamb...

International SOS recently undertook a review of the security landscape in Mexico and as a result, revised our Risk Ratings for the country. Our teams consider a wide variety of sources when making assessments including trends in the media, data from recent reports as well as in-country visits. Mexico has also recently seen a number of demonstrations and our experts predict further unrest in the r...

Protests and civil unrest sweeps across West Africa during a period of political instability. But what does that mean for businesses and their people operating in the countries in the region like Mali and Burkina Faso? International SOS Lead Security Analyst for Sahel, Maghreb, Israel and Palestinian Territories, Rory Keith and Senior Security Manager, Intelligence & Assistance, Alexandre Moll...

As part of our recognition of International Women's Day this week, International SOS' Security Manager, Mackenzie Grahek, provides some insight to ensure travellers, particularly women, are confident on their next business trip. She provides tips to help better prepare for trips and for mitigation against any potential security risks. For more information on how to keep safe on your next travels,...

What are the potential economic and political impacts of the Turkey earthquake? Three weeks after the series of earthquakes and with the country's general elections happening in a few months time, International SOS Lead Security Analyst for Mashreq and Iran, Polina Vynogradova outlines the challenges in rebuilding infrastructure and the potential risks in the political landscape. To learn more on...

Cambodia records the country's first known human case of H5N1 bird flu in nine years. We have been monitoring the virus and outbreaks in birds, mammals as well as sporadic human cases around the world. Human cases of bird flu may be rare but cases of bird flu have increased globally. International SOS Medical Director, Dr Kate O'Reilly and Global Medical Director Dr Irene Lai discuss the severity...

Ukraine: A Reflection on One Year of the Conflict. This is the third episode in a short series where we hear from our experts as they reflect on the crisis and its continued impact. Twelve months after the start of the conflict, what is the situation on-the-ground? What is likely to happen in the coming months which may impact organisations? We hear from International SOS Lead Security Analyst for...

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is going into a critical general election as the country faces significant security and economic challenges. International SOS Lead Security Analyst for West and Central Africa, Kirna Kataria and Security Specialist Olajide Olasehinde provides the latest insight on the elections, the security challenges ahead and advice for those needing to keep their peopl...

Ukraine: A Reflection on One Year of the Conflict. This is the second in a short series of podcasts from our experts as they look back on the crisis and its continued impact.  After a year of challenging situations in Ukraine, how is the country's healthcare system coping? In episode 2 of this 3-part series, we hear from our experts from International SOS, Regional Medical Director for Assist...

An outbreak of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) has been confirmed by authorities in Equatorial Guinea and the World Health Organization is deploying teams to trace the spread of the disease. It is a rare viral haemorrhagic fever and there is no known treatment or vaccination against the disease. International SOS' Medical Director Dr Kate O'Reilly and Security Director Holly McGurk share the lates...

When a series of earthquakes struck south eastern Turkey on 6 February, International SOS responded rapidly to the unfolding situation by sending an Incident Management Team to Turkey to support clients and their people in the region. Security Director for Assistance, Phil Nolan, who coordinated our team in Kayseri, provides insight into the decision-making process behind our response and how we h...

Ukraine: A Reflection on One Year of the Conflict . A first in a short series of podcasts from our experts as they look back on the crisis and its continued impact.  International SOS Security Director for Assistance, Phil Nolan and  Security Solutions Director, Viktor Panchak look back at how we prepared for hostilities and helped our clients from the beginning. We also learn about the...

A week after the devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, the relief operations is shifting to care for the survivors. International SOS Global Security Manager, Gizem Acar, who is our expert on-the-ground in Turkey, shares her insights in another situation update episode about the aftermath of the earthquake in one of the worst affected areas, Hatay province. For example, she shares how the l...

More than 13 million people across 10 provinces have been impacted by the earthquake in Turkey. International SOS Global Security Manager Gizem Acar, who has been deployed to Turkey, tells us aid trucks are beginning to get through as access to affected areas begin to open up. However, there are many fresh challenges still emerging. Learn more on how International SOS is supporting our clients in...

In the aftermath of the earthquakes that hit south eastern Turkey and northern Syria on 6 February, International SOS Global Security Manager, Gizem Acar was deployed to Turkey. She gives us on-the-ground insights about the challenges of operating in the affected region and advice on how to keep you and your people safe in our latest situation update. Learn more on how International SOS is su...

Peru is gripped by political instability with protests for the return of their former president. This rapidly changing situation has seen adverse impact on business travellers, students and visitors travelling there.  In our latest podcast, International SOS' Security Director for Assistance, Paul Doucet and Senior Security Manager, Jamie Lopez-Aranda set the context of the protests and the l...

Coronavirus cases have soared in China after restrictions on daily life have been relaxed. Furthermore, in the United States, a new variant is spreading rapidly in some areas. We hear from two experts at International SOS — Dr Neil Hu, Medical Director for Medical Services in China, and Dr Ahmed Fahmy, Regional Medical Director for Asia on how COVID-19 can affect our lives in 2023 and if you’re tr...

Winter infections are on the rise in many countries — but medical experts are warning it is getting harder to treat some conditions. As efforts are stepped up to combat Antimicrobial resistance, we hear from Dr Irene Lai, International SOS’ Medical Director for the latest information and analysis. She shares advice for travellers this holiday season, how to avoid getting sick, and what to take wit...

Authorities in Papua New Guinea are being challenged with a rise in crime and violence. In this podcast, International SOS Security Manager for the ANZ Pacific region, Alex Murray, sets out the latest intelligence on the situation, gathered on a recent trip to the country. He shares advice on how to stay safe in Papua New Guinea, and the vital preparations you need to make before travelling there....