Risk Management

Travel Risk Assessment 

• Identify potential travel risks and security risks, how to reduce or avoid them, and how to respond to emergencies when they occur.
• Register with iJET/Worldcue to get real-time intelligence, notices, and alerts via email about political unrest, natural disasters, and health warnings as well as information about required immunizations, entry/exit, safety and security, transportation, weather, communications.
• Review State Department information sheets and travel warnings and discuss with participants to identify potential travel risks and emergencies that may arise.
• Agree on an emergency communications plan; consider establishing a “buddy system.”
• Agree on guidelines for handling emergencies and contacting parents and family members.
• Make certain that all participants register for travel insurance.
• Know how to contact local law enforcement authorities.
• Transportation from one site to another.
• Know how to contact the local US Embassy/Consulate.

Emergency Response 

• How will you respond to hospitalization for injury or illness; rape, sexual assault, or physical assault; crime; severe psychological problems; or civil unrest, terrorist attacks, or outbreak of war.
• Know how to seek appropriate medical care (medical emergency) or a safe location.
• Notify the Travel Assist Provider AXA Assistance of your location and status. 24/7 Travel and Medical Assistance Emergency contact numbers:
            Tel. +1.630.694.9804 (From anywhere in the world, collect.)
            Tel. 855.327.1420 (From U.S. and Canada)
  Email: medassist-usa@axa-assistance.us
• Notify the Risk Management office and your department of your location and status. Risk Management office:
            Tel. (951) 827-5528
            Fax: (951) 827-5122
            Email: risk@ucr.edu 
• The Travel Insurance provider and Risk Management will assist and coordinate emergency action as required, including notifying the State Department or local authorities.

Emergency Contact with Family

• Travel leaders should not make direct, initial contact with family members without student’s permission.
• When possible, students should communicate with their parents when emergencies arise.
• Do not presume that a student’s parents are the listed emergency contact.
• Travel leaders should contact their department if a student is ill or injured, even if it’s not an emergency, so the department and University are not caught off guard if contacted by parents.
• If a student is ill or injured abroad, the student should be encouraged to inform their parents, but this disclosure is ultimately up to the student.
• Travel leaders may choose to inform emergency contacts about a potential emergency abroad without the student’s express permission, if the student is unable to speak for him or herself; the student has been missing for more than 24 hours; the student is perceived to be a danger to themselves or others; or when a significant health, safety, or security incident has occurred that affects the entire program.