Emergencies abroad

Using the Insurance: International SOS

You have access to International SOS as an international emergency assistance provider. You should create and activate your International SOS account as part of your travel registration. If you are a student participating in a UW study abroad program, accessing your International SOS materials will be part of your study abroad application. Individual travelers who call International SOS to set up medical or security evacuation services shouldn’t have to submit reimbursement claims. International SOS membership provides access to emergency medical, mental health, and security services and evacuations. Travelers will have access to 1,000 International SOS clinics in 90 countries and additional local clinics that have previous agreements with International SOS. Travelers will also have access to online and app-based resources, unique to their itinerary location.

• Phone number: +1 215 942 8226
• Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by an ISOS service center.
• Use the chat function in your ISOS Assistance app, downloaded during travel registration.
• Use the “find a provider” function in your ISOS Assistance app to locate the nearest facility that ISOS works with.

Mental heath support:

International SOS can connect you with free mental health support. Call the Philadelphia Assistance Center at: +1.215.942.8226

Husky Helpline: Free, same-day counseling, available via app, phone or online chat.

UW Hall Health: The Mental Health unit can provide more long-term counseling for a fee.

Crisis Clinic: 24-hour crisis line and community resource directory, +1.866.4CRISIS (+1.206.427.4747)

Contact U.S. Embassy for assistance

• If your are the victim of a crime
• If you have been arrested / detained
• If you lost your passport

For U.S. citizens, the U.S embassy/consulate can:

• Provide a list of attorneys who speak English if you require legal assistance
• Assist in contacting your family in the U.S. if you wish it
• Help you obtain money from your family in the U.S.
• Monitor your health and welfare if you are in a hospital or in jail

If you are a victim of a crime, the embassy/consulate can:

• replace a stolen passport
• contact family, friends, or employers
• help you obtain appropriate medical care
• provide information about the local criminal justice process and the case itself

The U.S. embassy/consulate cannot:

• Demand the immediate release of a U.S. citizen arrested abroad or cause the citizen to be released
• Represent a U.S. citizen at trial, give legal advice, or pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government funds

When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Under international agreements, the U.S. government has a right to provide consular assistance to you upon your request.

Sexual harassment and assault:

For additional resources available to you through the UW, including Title IX and Student Conduct, see Campus Community Safety for a list of units and contact information.

Harborview Center for Sexual Assault & Traumatic Stress (HCSATS)

Public Health Seattle and King County Planned Parenthood

Office of the Title IX Coordinator, Reporting

Sex or Gender Based Violence or Harassment, Know Your Rights and Resources

Security evacuations:

If the physical or political situation in your city becomes dangerous or unstable, you may be asked to evacuate – by the US Department of State, by the University of Washington, or by your host organization. In the case of an evacuation, you will work with Global Travel Health and Safety, as well as your in-country partners and our insurance provider, in order to coordinate your safe exit. To initiate an evacuation process, contact Global Travel Health at Safety: travelemergency@uw.edu or 001-206-632-0153 (for 24/7 emergency assistance).

When calling the UW 24/7 international emergency line, your call will be answered by UW PD. They will ask for your name, contact information, and an assessment of the situation. They will pass along your information to UW Global Travel Health and Safety, who will immediately return your call.