This document provides information and tools for assessing risks associated with travel to challenging destinations. It defines different types of risks like terrorism, crime, and health issues that travelers should consider. It also discusses how risks are perceived, noting that emotions can influence perceptions more than rational calculations. Data on deaths of US citizens overseas is presented, showing that vehicle accidents and homicides are leading causes. The document recommends collecting risk information from government websites, embassies, and local sources, and presents tools like a worldwide risk map and State Department travel warnings to help assess safety in different locations. Small steps for risk mitigation are outlined. Two case studies on assessing risks in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are presented.

1. SLIDE 1
TRAVEL TO CHALLENGING DESTINATIONS
PREPARED FOR:
Joseph Mroszczyk
Manager, Intelligence Products and Services
Global Rescue

2. SLIDE 2
To provide tools and knowledge to
empower you to identify, assess, and
mitigate risks associated with your
travel destination.
OUR MISSION

3. DEFINING RISK
Factors to Consider
• Destination – Country, Region,
City/Town, District
• Traveler – Risk tolerance,
intent/objective
• Types of risks – Terrorism,
environmental, civil unrest, crime,
health, transportation
Levels of Risk
• Dependent on subjective assessment
of factors
SLIDE 4

4. PERCEPTIONS OF RISK
How do we perceive risks?
• Emotional vs. rational calculations
• Probability and impact
• “Terrorism” versus
crime/accidents/natural disasters
• Being your own worst enemy –
many risks are self-induced
misperceptions or preventable
through small steps
Impact
Probability
SLIDE 5

5. *Total deaths = 10,545
Source: US State Department
42% of homicides
occurred in Mexico
U.S CITIZEN DEATHS OVERSEAS (October 2002 – June 2015)
Vehicle accident,
30%
Homicide, 19%
Suicide,
14%
Drowning,
13%
Air accident
3%
Terrorist action
3%
Other, 18%
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6. COLLECTING AND ASSESSING
RISK INFORMATION
SLIDE 6
Where can you get information?
• Government websites (U.S. State Dept., British FCO, Australian Smart Traveller, etc.
• Government travel warnings
• Embassies (Regional Security Officers, Consular offices)
• Travel websites (TripAdvisor, WikiTravel, etc.)
• Ask locals
Awareness of risks ≠ increased risks
Being prepared but not scared
Note: Most trips to most locations occur without incident!

7. WORLDWIDE RISK MAP
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8. • Risk ratings (overall, medical, and security), security & health
assessments, destination details, entry & exit requirements,
important numbers
• Updated at least every 45 days
DESTINATION REPORTS
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9. State Department Products
• Travel Warning
• Travel Alerts
• Worldwide
Consular Messages
• Messages
• Security Messages
• Emergency Messages
STATE DEPT TRAVEL WARNINGS
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10. RISK MITIGATION
Small steps can reduce risk
• Know the “no go” areas (country and city levels)
• Take simple precautions
• Trust your instinct
• Follow local news
• Have plans in place – map your visit
• Always maintain situational awareness
• Be resilient
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11. CASE STUDY
Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Situation: Security trending downwards –
intertribal tensions and government
crackdowns. Client has a trip scheduled
in upcoming months.
Solution: Multi-modal intelligence
collection effort, periodic updates to the
client, local on-the-ground report.
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12. CASE STUDY
Eastern Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC)
Situation: Multiple non-profit clients
traveling to eastern parts of the DRC –
one of the most hostile, violent, and
unstable regions in the world.
Solution: In-depth analysis of trends,
violence, militant groups in the region,
road infrastructure/safety
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13. Know your own vulnerabilities and unique risks – ignorance is your worst enemy.
Use rationality (rather than emotion) to guide risk assessments.
Be curious – ask questions and find answers!
CONCLUSION