Emergency Preparedness for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad

Among the highest priorities of the Department of State and our missions abroad is the safety and security of locally-resident Americans overseas.  In the past year the Department has intervened to assist in the evacuation of Americans from half a dozen countries throughout the world, as a result of serious political or economic unrest, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.  Hundreds of expatriate Americans each year are forced by personal emergencies (e.g. death or illness in the family) to return to the United States on short notice.  Evacuations, especially under crisis conditions, are inevitably very disruptive and distressing for those involved.  The State Department routinely provides standard advice to its employees on prudent steps to take to ensure they would be prepared in the event of such an evacuation.  This and other advice on crisis preparedness is available on the Department's website, www.travel.state.gov.

Earthquakes

China is a seismically active country and earthquakes occur throughout the country.  Notable earthquakes include one in Qinghai in 2010 in which 3000 were killed; the major quake in Sichuan when more than 87,000 perished in 2008; and in 1976, a temblor centered in Tangshan, Hebei, also caused damage in Beijing and Tianjin and left an estimated 255,000 persons dead.   U.S. citizens should make contingency plans and leave emergency contact information with family members outside of China.  Information about earthquake preparedness is available at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare, and general information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Where can I find more information about earthquakes?

·         United States Geological Survey (USGS): http://www.usgs.gov 

·         FEMA earthquake webpage: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake 

·         FEMA for Kids: Earthquakes: http://www.fema.gov/kids/quake.htm

Be Prepared

To prepare for an earthquake or other emergency situation, we recommend taking these elementary preparedness steps:

ü  Create an emergency plan. This includes establishing meeting points, should any family members become separated, evacuation routes, and collecting a disaster kit. For more information on creating an emergency plan and a disaster kit, please visit www.Ready.gov.

ü  Assemble all vital documents such as passports, birth and marriage records, vaccination, insurance and bank records in one readily accessible location.

ü  Keep your passport and visa valid and enroll in the Embassy’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  Non U.S. citizen, immediate family members should keep their U.S. visas current, and apply for visas with as much time in advance of planned travel as possible.

ü  Decide how to contact family members if they are away from home, keeping in mind that phone service may be unavailable.