How MFA assists Singaporeans during crisis situations overseas
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Following the recent Paris attacks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) today (Nov 18) shed some light on its consular assistance to Singaporeans during crisis situations and provided a guide on how Singaporeans travelling overseas can stay safe in times of emergencies.
“When an overseas crisis strikes, MFA’s utmost priority is the safety of Singaporeans,” said a ministry spokesperson. “The first 24 to 48 hours are crucial in any crisis, and there is a multiplicity of tasks around the clock,” the spokesperson added.
Among the first tasks is to verify the safety of Singaporeans in affected areas. People who have registered with the MFA will be contacted, while the ministry will also verify the safety of Singaporeans who are not registered if their next-of-kin contact the ministry and provide relevant leads.
Depending on the severity of the situation, the MFA may also issue travel notices or advises against non-essential travel. These are reviewed regularly and are conveyed through conventional and social media platforms, the spokesperson said. In the notices, the MFA will also advise Singaporeans in the affected localities to contact the ministry on their well-being.
The MFA says it will only advise not to travel to a particular country after a “thorough and rigourous assessment”. The issuance of a travel advisory against travelling to a country is considered “very carefully”.
And in very serious situations, the MFA will dispatch a Crisis Response Team to the affected country to assist Singaporeans who wish to leave, such as in the cases of the Nepal and Sabah earthquakes earlier this year.
HOW TO REGISTER ONLINE
Last year, the MFA received more than 100,000 eRegistrations by Singaporeans who travelled overseas. Registration is free for all Singaporeans and is on a voluntary basis and you can record your travel information and intinerary.
Details provided will help the MFA and its embassies contact Singaporeans in times of crises and emergencies, said the ministry spokesperson.
MFA TIPS FOR SAFE TRAVEL
The MFA advised Singaporeans to plan carefully before travelling overseas and to take all necessary precautions while overseas. These include observing local laws and keeping abreast of significant developments in the countries they are in.
“It is important that Singaporeans take responsibility for their own safety when they travel,” the ministry spokesperson said.
Singaporeans should be mindful of their personal belongings (especially their passports), and purchase comprehensive medical and travel insurance, the MFA added.
The MFA also has an app (MFA@SG) for Singaporeans to eRegister and have access to useful travel information. Singaporeans with Twitter accounts can also follow @MFASgConsular for important updates.
Below is a list by the MFA on what it can and cannot do in rendering consular assistance.
What can our Consular Officer assist in?
1. Provide you with information, advice and consular assistance.
2. Issue you with an emergency travel document if you have lost your Singapore passport overseas. (Note: It is an Immigration requirement that you report the loss of your passport to the local police and furnish our Mission with a copy of this report.)
3. Contact your relatives or friends to request them to send you emergency funds for your repatriation or other necessary emergency expenses.
4. Notify your next-of-kin in the event you are injured, arrested or detained abroad.
5. Visit a Singapore citizen who has been arrested or imprisoned abroad and monitor that due process under the judicial system of that country is accorded to him or her.
6. Help to obtain a list of officially registered local lawyers and translation services, where this is available.
7. Help in arranging for the remains and personal belongings of a deceased Singaporean to be returned to Singapore.
8. Help you during emergencies such as natural disasters or civil disorder in the foreign country.
What our Consular Officer cannot assist in?
1. Pay your medical, hospital, legal, accommodation, travel or other bills.
2. Provide loans or cash your cheques.
3. Post bails or pay fines on your behalf.
4. Intervene in the judicial process of a foreign country or ignore local laws.
5. Intervene in or act as an intermediary in disputes which are of a civil or commercial nature.
6. Provide legal advice or initiate court proceedings on your behalf.
7. Act as your guarantor or sponsor.
8. Arrange for your accommodation or for your employment.
9. Provide translation, mail-forwarding, telephone, fax/telex or other personal services.
More information on consular services can be found here: http://mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/consular_information/for_singapore_citizens/consular_services.html.
More travel advice by the MFA is available here: http://mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/consular_information/for_singapore_citizens/advice_for_singaporeans_going_overseas.html.
