If you need help while on a Harvard-related trip:
If you experience or witnesses a serious medical or safety incident while abroad, report the event to help us protect the safety and security of the community and ensure you receive the proper support.
Reportable incidents include illnesses and injuries (needing a health care professional), accidents, crimes of all kinds, missing persons, harassment, property damage, and incidents that forced a significant itinerary change.
- Call the local equivalent of “911,” if appropriate. Review the U.S. State Department’s global “911” list.
- Call International SOS for additional help:+1-617-998-0000 or start a chat or phone call through the Assistance App.*
If you’re unsure whether local emergency services can be trusted or can provide adequate care, then your first point of contact should be International SOS. Case managers are available to help you 24/7.
Reporting Incidents Abroad
If urgent:
Call local police, fire or medical responders, if appropriate (local equivalent of “911”). Review the U.S. State Department’s global “911” list.
Call International SOS at +1-617-998-0000 (worldwide, 24/7) for additional assistance and to report the incident. The phone line is answered immediately.
If not urgent: Report the incident within 72 hours.
Report an Incident
While abroad, report any serious medical or security incidents that you experience or witness to our Safety & Security team. Doing so enables us to track incident patterns, educate future Harvard travelers, and ensure you receive the proper support. Reportable incidents include illnesses and injuries (needing a health care professional), accidents, crimes of all kinds, missing persons, harassment, property damage, and incidents that forced a significant itinerary change.
In the event of an emergency, you may be contacted by staff from International SOS and/or the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, please respond as quickly as it is safe for you to do so. Remember to return to the MyTrips to edit your trip details if there are changes to your itinerary or you obtain a local cell phone. It is incredibly important to update your information if it changes so that efforts are focused appropriately during an emergency.
HSPH Designated Emergency Officials from Student Affairs are:
Leah Kane: Director of Student Affairs
E-mail: leah_Kane@hsph.harvard.edu
Phone: 617.432.0488
Colleen Cronin: Associate Director of Student Affairs
E-mail: ccronin@hsph.harvard.edu
Phone: 617.432.1542
*International SOS may alert GSS to your call. This standard procedure enables case managers to confirm that you’re eligible under the University’s International SOS membership and enables us to provide further assistance if you need it.
