Large-scale emergencies outside Canada - Travel.gc.ca (original) (raw)

Natural disasters, civil unrest, conflicts, and other emergencies can spread across countries and can happen anytime, anywhere in the world, with or without warning.

Learn what to do if there is a large-scale emergency at your destination.

Before you go

Get advice and recommendations about safety and security conditions abroad. Make your own informed decisions, including those that may affect your safety and well-being when outside of Canada. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Consult our Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination.

Register your trip with us when travelling outside Canada. This helps the Government of Canada contact you in case of emergency.

Access our free Registration of Canadians Abroad service.

If you must travel to a country affected by a large-scale emergency, despite our advice to avoid all travel or non-essential travel:

check the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination and carefully evaluate how the situation in the country may affect your security and safety
check with your travel insurance provider to see if an advisory has affected your travel insurance coverage
leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact details with family or friends who are not travelling with you
give family or friends the contact information of our Emergency Watch and Response Centre
carry the contact information for the Canadian embassies and consulates serving the countries you plan to visit

If you're affected by a large-scale emergency outside Canada

Frequently consult the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination for latest updates and information
Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information
Frequently seek additional information from trusted sources on the ground, if possible (note that a large-scale emergency may affect communications networks)
Contact your family and friends as soon as you can, even if you aren’t affected
- Continue to update them on your situation until you leave the affected area
If conditions deteriorate, consider leaving by commercial means if you can do so safely (but it's best to leave a country before a situation escalates into an emergency)
Monitor local news for the latest information on the situation, and follow the instructions of local authorities
If there is civil unrest or conflict, keep a low profile and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings
If your destination is affected by a severe storm, read our advice on what to do before, during and after the storm
If you need consular assistance, contact:
- the nearest Canadian office abroad
- Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa

Beware of misinformation, especially during large-scale emergencies outside Canada

Misinformation and disinformation often occur during emergency situations.

Avoid becoming a victim while facing a large-scale emergency abroad:

before you go, identify credible information sources, including on social media
- be wary of sensational claims and videos
follow the advice of trusted local authorities and reputable services
check sources and confirm information with official channels
don’t provide personal or financial data without verifying the reliability of information

Government-assisted departures or evacuations

Government of Canada-assisted departures or evacuations of Canadians from another country are never guaranteed. They are an option of last resort, when all means of personal and commercial transportation have been exhausted and the safety and security of Canadians is compromised.

You should not rely on the Government of Canada for assisted departure or evacuation. The best time to leave a country is before a situation escalates into an emergency, while commercial options remain available.

Our ability to help you may be affected by:

the severity of the situation
limits on our resources
local laws and regulations

If you ignore an advisory we have issued to avoid all or non-essential travel to a country or region, you’re putting yourself and your family at risk.

Eligibility for assisted departures and evacuations

Consular assistance is for Canadian citizens. In situations of emergency response leading to assisted departures or evacuations, some assistance may extend to permanent residents of Canada and eligible family members of Canadians, as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Justice Canada).

The expanded eligibility is not guaranteed. Family members may not be eligible for assistance.

Transportation may not take you directly to Canada

Transportation we provide during an assisted departure or evacuation will probably not take you directly to Canada. In most cases it will only be to a safe location near the affected area.

The cost to you could be very high

You may have to pay for your assisted-departure travel to a safe location near the affected area.

You are also responsible for all additional costs, including:

temporary accommodations
food and basic necessities at the safe location
your onward travel beyond it

All travellers will require valid travel documents

During an assisted departure or evacuation, you and everyone travelling in your group must have valid travel documents. Be sure that your travel documents and those of your family members, are accessible and secure.

Know which documents you need and where to get them.

Additional preparations

Be prepared for strict baggage limits and be aware that your pets will have to stay behind. The priority for assisted departures and evacuations is to remove Canadians, not belongings or pets, from the affected area.

Date modified:

2024-11-01