Bengaluru witnessed a water shortage in 2024, with businesses looking to understand how they could mitigate operational and duty-of-care risks. It is vital to understand the underlying causes, the shortage's geographical impact and how that has affected businesses, both from security and medical standpoints.

France has declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia amid unrest relating to proposed electoral reforms. Security reinforcements have been sent to regain control of access routes to key ports of departure, including La Tontouta International Airport. International SOS’ security and medical experts offer advice to clients whose workforce may have been affected by the protests.

India is holding its parliamentary election in phases, with voting spanning 19 April to 1 June. Anugya Chitransh, the Lead Security Analyst for South Asia, discusses the travel and security risks in the states going to polls on 7, 13 and 20 May.

Voting in Chad’s presidential election is due to take place on the 6 May. Nine candidates, including transitional president Mahamat Deby, are due to take part in the contest. Our security experts say there is a substantial risk of unrest following the announcement of the result scheduled for 21 May and offer this advice to keep you and your workforce safe.

International SOS recently conducted a complex evacuation of multiple clients impacted by the escalation in gang violence in Haiti. International SOS' Chief Security Analyst - West, Mike Rogers, Regional Air Transport Manager for the Americas, Cat Peltier as well as Security Director's Henning Snyman and Paul Doucet describe how a multidisciplinary crisis management team overcame security, logistical and diplomatic challenges with the help from risk solutions provider, ExLog Global, to assist clients and evacuate them to safety.

We are continuing to closely monitor tensions in the Middle East following recent escalations involving several countries including Israel. Polina Vynogradova, International SOS’ lead security analyst covering the Middle East and North Africa, offers an update about latest situation and assesses what effect it could have on the wider region.

We recently conducted a trip to Jamaica to assess the in-country security situation, accommodation options and provider capability. Security Director, Assistance for the Americas region Paul Doucet travelled to the capital Kingston and other locations popular with business travellers and tourists. His visit followed the US state department's updated advice, saying people should reconsider travel to the island due to crime. Here he offers tips for workforce including understanding the threats from the country’s gangs, as well as advice on what travellers can expect while they are in Jamaica.

Road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, causing nearly 1.2 million deaths annually. According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, two-thirds of people killed in crashes are aged between 18 and 59 - a demographic critical to the global workforce. International SOS has teamed up with the Global Road Safety Partnership to develop a new digital course on road safety. Dave Cliff from the GRSP and International SOS' Security Director Henning Snyman say the course will offer employees who travel for business increased knowledge and the skills to navigate roads safely.