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U.S. Department of the State H1N1 and U.S. Citizens Abroad Informational Briefing October 19, 2009, LHOB 1100, 10:30 AM Panelists Michelle Bond, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Bureau of Consular Affairs
Michelle Bernier, Director of Office of American Citizens Assistance
Tyler Mason, H1N1 Specialist Briefing Overseas Bureau of Consular Office Overview: - 1. Office of American Citizens Services (ACS)
- - Lead in Bureau of Consular Affairs during crises (ex. Tsunami), evacuations of American citizens from countries for political reasons, and cases involving destitution, disease, disappearance, detention and death while abroad.
- 2. Office of Children's Issues
- - Help with overseas adoptions and issues involving Parental child abduction internationally
- 3. Office of Policy Review
- - Attorneys help to interpret international laws and provide expert advice. Also provides victims assistance.
Historical Background of H1N1 Preparation
Since 2004, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has been planning for the worst case scenario of an Avian Flu pandemic by working to include provisions about Americans who are both living and traveling overseas into any national plans. This has work included ensuring that international transportation would not be immediately shut down in the event of an emergency, and that Americans abroad would have a window of opportunity to return to the United States if necessary. In recent months, ACS has spread the word to Americans overseas that they should expect to remain in country during an H1N1 outbreak, and that they are responsible for having personal emergency plans in place, such as stockpiling food and water and becoming vaccinated if possible. As of now, there is no plan to close U.S. borders in the event of a pandemic emergency, but it is up to each country to do as they see fit in this situation, so it is important to be aware of local guidelines for an H1N1 outbreak when abroad. How American Citizens Services CAN help those abroad in the event of widespread H1N1 outbreak by: - helping families locate people abroad
- facilitating communication between family members overseas and those in the United States
- providing financial services to those who are severely destitute by either finding family to send money or offering a loan.
- monitoring groups of ill people
- monitoring conditions where people are being held in quarantine and can intervene if necessary (i.e. there is no potable water, people are not receiving food, etc.)
- intervening when minors are separated from parents, or receive treatment that is not authorized by a guardian
- providing information about what might happen to travelers or those living abroad if they should get quarantined
American Citizens Services CANNOT: - intervene with foreign governments to shorten the amount of time spent in quarantine, there is no international standard so each government may have a set amount of time that must be followed
- directly provide medicine to those who are sick abroad-- but can help indirectly by locating doctors and hospitals in the area
American Citizens Services advice for travelers: - Visit http://travel.state.gov/ before traveling internationally. This site provides H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions, H1N1 travel alerts and notices, Quarantine Measure in some countries, information about travel delays and H1N1 screening procedures, and an H1N1 Fact Sheet.
- Visit the American Embassy website for the specific country in which you are traveling. These websites will have information that can help people manage expectations, what resources they specifically can and cannot provide, and emergency travel warnings.
- If possible, receive H1N1 and regular seasonal flu vaccines BEFORE travelling internationally.
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