ASSISTANCE ABROAD
If you plan to stay more than two weeks in one place, if you are
in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, or if
you are planning travel to a remote area, it is advisable to register
at the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
This will make it easier if someone at home needs to locate you
urgently or in the unlikely event that you need to be evacuated
in an emergency. It will also facilitate the issuance of a new passport
should yours be lost or stolen.
Another reason to contact the Consular Section is to obtain updated
information on the security situation in a country.
If you are ill or injured, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate for a list of local physicians and medical facilities.
If the illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical
assistance from this list and, at your request, will inform your
family or friends. If necessary, a consul can assist in the transfer
of funds from the United States. Payment of hospital and other medical
expenses is your responsibility.
If you run out of money overseas and have no other options, consular
officers can help you get in touch with your family, friends, bank
or employer and inform them how to wire funds to you.
Should you find yourself in legal difficulty, contact a consular
officer immediately. Consular officers cannot serve as attorneys,
give legal advice, or get you out of jail. What they can do is provide
a list of local attorneys who speak English and who may have had
experience in representing U.S. citizens. If you are arrested, consular
officials will visit you, advise you of your rights under local
laws, and ensure that you are held under humane conditions and are
treated fairly under local law. A consular officer will also contact
your family or friends if you desire. When necessary, consuls can
transfer money from home for you and will try to get relief for
you, including food and clothing in countries where this is a problem.
If you are detained, remember that under international agreements
and practice, you have the right to talk to the U.S. consul. If
you are denied this right, be persistent; try to have someone get
in touch for you.
Thank you for taking the time to become an informed traveler. We
wish you a safe and wonderful journey.
Copyright 2005 by Cardinal Points
Travel.
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