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1 1 (January 20, 2016)

handle is hein.crs/govcdvr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 01;0i E~$~ & January 20, 2016 Helping U.S. Citizens Abroad During a Crisis: Role of the Department of State The November 13, 2015, Paris terrorist attacks prompted the Department of State (DOS) to review its warning systems for Americans overseas for any possible improvements, a senior Diplomatic Security official testified on December 8. Such systems are used to communicate threat information when Americans find themselves confronted by a crisis in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster, heightened terrorist threat, or the outbreak of war. The Department of State is required by law to provide a range of threat-related services to Americans abroad. In all but the most extreme situations, the department will serve primarily in an information-distribution role. However, when the departure of U.S. citizens is advised, additional assistance may be provided. ,Frovding Tlhrcaut ad (Crisis h~omain Kiwd~~~ P ~ tw T , ,gvrarn The Department of State is required by law to serve as a clearinghouse of information on any major disaster or incident abroad which affects the health and safety of U.S. citizens abroad (22 U.S.C. 2715). The department carries out this function through the Consular Information Program, which provides a range of products, including Country Specific Information; Travel Alerts; Travel Warnings; Worldwide Cautions; Messages for U.S. Citizens, Security Messages for U.S. Citizens, and Emergency Messages for U.S. Citizens; and Fact Sheets. These messages are posted on the travel.state.gov website; 48 travel warnings or alerts were listed on the DOS website as of November 14, 2015 (see Figure 1; the number of alerts can change frequently). DOS also maintains active social media accounts, which may serve as communication channels in an emergency. No Double Standards Policy In its crisis communications, DOS applies a no double standard policy: any threat information shared with U.S. officials and their families must also generally be made available to other Americans. The department encourages-but does not require-U.S. citizens traveling abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to facilitate communication in an evacuation or other emergency, addressing the requirements of another law, 22 U.S.C. 4802. STEP is an Internet site through which U.S. citizens residing or traveling abroad can enroll themselves online (DOS does not collect information on non-U.S. citizens). The system provides country-specific and post-specific email lists that registrants can join to receive updates. The site allows both short- and long-term travelers abroad to provide their itinerary, residence, and emergency contact information. Organizations such as travel agencies or firms with employees overseas may also enter information on their clients or staff. Figure I. Active Country-Specific Travel Warnings and Alerts as of November 14, 2015 \** C, * * , * * ?k * *~ Alerts & Warnings : Both Source: Graphic created by CRS using Department of State (2015) and Esri (2014). Should telephone or Internet services be interrupted during a crisis, DOS also uses local television and radio to broadcast emergency information and may also use a system of predesignated U.S. citizen wardens to pass on information to other U.S. citizens through means such as text messaging. The wardens are individuals connected to communities of Americans, such as hotel representatives or business contacts, who agree to serve in a liaison role. When crises overwhelm embassy and consulate switchboards, DOS also uses creates crisis-specific web- based databases that accept identifying information about U.S. citizens that may be used to locate the individual and offer emergency consular assistance; special email addresses established for public inquiries during a crisis; and/or a central phone number for the Bureau of Consular Affairs' Overseas Citizen Services staff. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) is a key channel of communication between DOS and U.S. private sector entities abroad. Created in 1985 as a public-private partnership, OSAC provides liaison and interchange of information concerning developments in the overseas security environment. The OSAC Council comprises 34 private and public sector member organizations that .O 'T p\w -- , gnom goo mppm qq\ a , q 'S I 11LULANJILiN,

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