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Before traveling to a conflict zone, make sure you understand the risks, put plans in place to mitigate them, and always prioritize your personal safety over your academic and research goals.
How to Understand & Mitigate the Risks
Traveling, working, or researching in a conflict zone is challenging and could be dangerous. It requires extensive research and planning, plus extra safety measures once on the ground. The video and resources below can help you start the process.
Preparation
Only proceed with your trip if you understand the risks and can implement strong mitigation measures like the ones outlined below and in the video. And don't forget to register your trip to receive incident alerts and emergency messages.
Understand the local context. Research the nature of the conflict, local security conditions and threats, government presence and capacity, and locals’ attitudes towards and engagement with foreigners. Identify organizations or other travelers operating in the area, and know what communication, lodging, and transportation options are available, especially what to look for in accommodations and remote road travel.
Vet your research, materials, methodologies, and any local affiliations. Assess whether your research topic, activities, or partnerships may be seen as partisan or inflammatory.
Prepare a go bag and protective equipment. A go bag is an easily-transportable bag containing emergency supplies and documentation that you would need if you had to quickly evacuate. Learn how to pack a go bag. Also determine if you need items such as a helmet, ballistic vest, or other personal protective gear.
Schedule a consultation with us. We encourage you to meet with a member of our International Safety & Security team to discuss your travel and receive feedback on your plans.
Familiarization Period
Get to know the area. Soon after you arrive, one of the most important things you can do is familiarize yourself with the location. Understand the operational challenges you’ll face, identify key resources, and test your communication and transportation plans.
Establish rapport. Meet with guides, translators, drivers, research assistants, and any other local experts you’ll be working with. Local organizations, international NGOs, and the US government may be useful if the situation on the ground intensifies.
Be mindful of surveillance. Depending on the nature of your research and partnerships, you might be under intense surveillance by the government, surrounding militant groups, or locals. Use discretion when communicating and moving about.
Staying Safe
Always prioritize your safety. If it’s “maybe safe,” don’t do it. Borderline safety isn’t good enough. Your research is important, but your safety is more important—every time.
Stay alert and informed. Conflict zones tend to be volatile, and you don’t want to be caught off guard. Follow multiple reputable news and information sources. Don’t rely solely on government messaging.
Don’t be predictable. Vary the time you come and go from your residence or work site. Avoid falling into patterns.
Assess your appearance and equipment. Dress to show you’re a non-combatant, and identify your vehicle as such, if applicable. Make sure your personal protective gear is readily available.
Become familiar with and test emergency plans at your place of work or residence. This knowledge and practice will be invaluable if you encounter difficulties during the trip.
Establish regular check-ins with someone back home that’s familiar with your itinerary. This person can initiate a pre-established emergency action plan if something happens to you.
Know when to change your itinerary. Identify events that may necessitate an itinerary change or evacuation, such as a break in a cease-fire, increased militarization, or a coup. Those events may indicate the situation is becoming more unpredictable, volatile, and dangerous.
Seek help in an emergency. If you need medical, mental health, or security advice and evacuation support while overseas, call International SOS at +1-617-998-0000 or connect through the Assistance App. Understand that International SOS and similar emergency services are bound by local government regulations and their ability to respond in an area of armed conflict may be limited.
