English
International SOS Provides On the Ground Assistance Ongoing Support In Mali
London, UK
International SOS, the world's leading medical and security services company, and its joint venture partner, Control Risks, the world's leading global risk consultancy firm, are providing advice, evacuation planning and assistance to clients who have travellers, expatriates and employee family members in Mali.
Following a March 21 coup against President Amadou Toumani Toure's government, widespread looting and opportunistic crime has led to a breakdown in the security situation in Mali's capital city of Bamako. A crisis management team established last weekend at International SOS' Paris assistance center - supported by teams in London, Philadelphia, Germany and Singapore- has been working to identify and communicate with 55 affected client organizations with more than 350 individuals in Mali to provide advice and direction, align support resources and plan for evauations via commercial flights or charter during this critical time.
This global team, which includes International SOS and Control Risks security experts on the ground in Mali, also includes aviation and logistics personnel. Working with secured assets and specialized providers, the team has assisted five companies with evacuations and are working with others on current planning.
Simultaneously, the team in Mali is providing the company's network of 27 International SOS assistance centers around the world with up-to-the-minute reports to help their locally based members who may be seeking information on colleagues in Mali or conditions on the ground.
"We are always prepared for an event like this and are able to tap into our pre-established network in Mali to provide advice and evacuations assistance to our clients," said Michael Hancock, Group General Manager, Assistance Worldwide for International SOS. "Many of the organizations we support also had their own emergency plans in place before the unrest. This is something we always advise - by preparing the organization and its employees in advance of an incident like what we are seeing in Mali, these companies have provided excellent duty of care and helped to ensure the safety of their employees. "
International SOS estimates its assistance center in Paris has received more than 220 calls for assistance related to events in Mali since the incident began. The global security assistance center jointly operated by International SOS and Control Risks has seen an eight-fold increase in security-related activity during the period of airspace closure.
The team is currently working for 55 unique clients whose various employees, students, faculty and relief workers have been affected by the unrest. These clients include private corporations, non-profit organizations and universities.
International SOS and Control Risks have issued, and continue to push out, Travel Security Alerts to clients around the world. These alerts advise of the developing unrest and include timely analysis and advice on emerging security issues.International SOS and Control Risks have utilized their proprietary travel tracker system to identify client's employees who are currently located in the affected areas.
The security situation in Mali remains fluid. Clients and members who are affected or need evacuation support are encouraged to call one of International SOS' 27 assistance centers for assistance. Up-to-date information, advice, and analysis are available via the International SOS membership website (https://www.internationalsos.com/).
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Notes to Editors
About the International SOS Group of Companies The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity and sustainability. Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by 12,000 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions and NGOs. 12,000 multicultural medical, security and logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.
To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: www.internationalsos.com
