Overseas Disasters: the Immediate Aftermath

Members of Disaster Action, all of whom have been directly affected by disasters, have written this checklist for those whose friends and family may be missing in a disaster outside the UK. Additional guidance can also be found in the "Injury or death overseas" leaflet.

Every disaster is unique, but our aim is to suggest what you could do in the immediate aftermath. You may not feel able to do all this yourself. If not, try to get someone close to the family to do so.

Depending on the nature of the disaster, help in making travel plans, getting insurance, etc. may be available from the Consular Directorate in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Help may also be available from an airline, travel company or, if the missing person(s) was travelling on business, from their company. General information on the disaster is likely to be available through Internet news services.

When you believe someone may be missing overseas:

Try to:

• Establish their last known location
• Call their mobile phone
• Contact their hotel
• Call the mobile phones of friends who may be with them
• Contact friends and family in the UK to check if they have had any contact

If you still cannot locate them:

Call the emergency number. Try to have the following information ready before you call:

• Details of their travel itinerary (flights, hotel and tour operator) if relevant
• Full names, address and date of birth for those missing
• Photocopy of their passport if possible
• Name of their travel insurance company if known
• Keep trying the emergency telephone number – it is likely to be very busy.
  NB: When you get through, the operator is unlikely to have any specific information about the person you are calling about at that time. They will record the details you give to assist in the process of identifying those who are likely to be involved in the incident, and so that you can be contacted if need be.

NB: Remember to call the emergency number back if you hear from those you are concerned about. This will help those who are still missing and their families.

Credit and bank cards:

If you know what credit and bank cards they hold:

• Contact the card companies to see if they can confirm recent use and the location. Explain your circumstances, but remember that Data Protection rules restrict what can be disclosed. They can advise you of the procedures to follow.

Preparing to Travel to the Disaster Site:

You may feel it is right for you to travel to the site; if so, seek advice on issues such as whether it is safe to do so and the conditions you may encounter before making your decision. If you do decide to go, see the checklist below:

• It is best not to travel alone – take someone with you if possible
• Check that your passport is valid and its expiry date – some countries require six months validity for entry
• Check if a visa is required
• Check if the FCO can arrange travel for you as quickly as you want to go. If not, book yourself through the missing person’(s) travel company
• Tell the FCO if you are happy for your name and contact details to be given to other families
• Ask the FCO if other families are travelling on the same flight
• Ask for British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate contact details for where you are going
• Check the FCO Travel Advice for the country you are travelling to (www.fco.gov.uk)
• Check weather at destination and pack accordingly for 4/5 days
• Arrange travel insurance for yourself and anyone accompanying you
• Agree with family and friends one person to be the single point of contact in UK
• Get the most recent photograph of the missing person(s) and make multiple copies (height and body size should be clear - no sunglasses)
• Prepare a list of any special identifying features (scars, tattoos, piercings, birthmarks, etc.)
• Obtain their dental records/X-rays if possible
• Photocopy of their passport
• Photocopy/details of their travel documents
• Copy of their insurance details
• Ask their insurers what will be paid for (such as flights, hotel, meals, hotel telephone, taxis)
• Charge your mobile phone and pack the charger and a power converter (remember it costs you to receive calls overseas – it is much cheaper to text. Also travel insurers may be less likely to pay mobile phone bills than hotel phone bills). Cheap phone cards are available in some countries – these will be cheaper to use than your mobile for internal and also UK calls
• Get foreign currency for destination
• Tell your credit card company where you are going and check your card has capacity

When you arrive at your destination:

• Contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for the latest information
• Call your UK contact with your hotel phone number and room number
• Agree set times for daily contact (bearing in mind the time differences)
• Get in touch with relevant local tour operator if appropriate
• Keep receipts for everything (these will probably be needed for insurance reimbursement)
• Drink lots of water in hot countries and try to eat healthily as this will help your energy levels.

Disaster Action would like to express its appreciation to all those involved in the preparation of this leaflet, especially to those affected by the Sharm El Sheikh bombings of July 2005, who suggested that a checklist could be valuable to those affected by other disasters.