Middle East Crisis: Emergency Response Highlights

During the onset of the recent crisis in the Middle East, On Call’s Global Response Center provided targeted support to hundreds of travelers in need, including families with young children, students, volunteers, expats, and leisure travelers. During this time, On Call’s Global Response Center:

• • Coordinated overland transfers to operational airports across Gulf states  

  • Conducted complex ground transports, including the deployment of Close Protection Officers for travelers with heightened security concerns.  

  • Facilitated comprehensive visa support and assistance with border crossing procedures.  

  • Offered standing advisory support for travelers electing to shelter in place as well as supply delivery support, as needed.

  • Issued regular Incident Briefs to deliver regional updates and actionable guidance for travelers and organizational stakeholders.

Provided access to mental health support for travelers experiencing stress or crisis-related emotional impacts. 

As the situation still remains fluid and uncertain, On Call’s Security, Medical, and Operations Teams stand ready to continue to assist our clients and their constituents in need.  

To read more about On Call’s recent response efforts in the Middle East, check out our latest case study round-up. 

Group Evacuation from Istanbul to the United States 

When Middle East airspace abruptly closed due to political unrest, 17 travelers en route to the United States were diverted to Istanbul, Turkey, leaving them stranded with disrupted travel plans. Facing uncertainty, the group contacted On Call International for assistance. On Call’s team quickly identified alternative flight options to the United States and secured seats for all travelers while managing complex ticketing logistics and coordinating with the airline on rebooking options. On Call maintained close communication throughout and continued to monitor the group’s journey until all 17 travelers safely reached their final destinations. 

Ground Transport from Jerusalem to Egypt 

While traveling in Jerusalem, travelers were impacted by the escalating political unrest and contacted On Call International for assistance. With airspaces rapidly closing and limited evacuation options, On Call quickly arranged early morning ground transportation from Jerusalem to Sharm ElSheikh, Egypt, and coordinated close protection officers (CPOs) to support the travelers through the border crossing. From Egypt, On Call secured commercial flights that routed the travelers through Cairo and Istanbul before returning safely to the United States. Throughout the evacuation, On Call remained in close contact, managing logistics and providing reassurance for the travelers in need. 

Evacuation from Doha, Qatar to the U.S. 

Amid political escalations in the Middle East, a graduate student in Doha, Qatar, contacted On Call International for evacuation support. Adding complexity to the situation, the traveler required a Saudi transit visa to reach the nearest safe departure point in Riyadh, creating delays and uncertainty around when it would be safe to evacuate. On Call provided advice for the visa process and advised him on the best travel options amid evolving security conditions.  

Due to a backlog, the traveler’s visa for Saudi Arabia was not approved, so On Call sourced available commercial flight options from Doha and ultimately to the United States, where the traveler safely returned.  

Alternative Flight Departures: UAE to the United States

While traveling in in the UAE, several travelers were impacted when their return flights home were cancelled due to regional airspace closures. Unsure of when flights would resume, they contacted On Call International for guidance. On Call closely monitored airspace developments and reviewed alternative departure options, including commercial flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi and contingency overland routes to Oman, if needed. Once preferred routing became available, On Call helped secure safe returns onward for the travelers.  

Cross Border Evacuation: Israel to Egypt to Europe 

While visiting family in Israel, a traveler was impacted by the rapidly evolving geopolitical situation and needed to evacuate in order to rejoin an academic program in Europe. With commercial options limited, the traveler contacted On Call for assistance. On Call coordinated a cross-border evacuation, arranging ground transportation from Israel into Egypt, securing overnight accommodations, and booking onward commercial flights to Europe. Throughout the journey, On Call worked closely with trusted local contacts to confirm border crossings, transportation, and flight logistics. The traveler safely exited the region and continued onward to her final destination, supported by On Call’s end-to-end coordination every step of the way. 

Critical Evacuation from Dhahran Near High-Risk Military Zone

When unrest escalated in the Middle East, a student in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia contacted On Call International for assistance. Due to the dormitory’s proximity to a nearby military base, the situation was deemed high risk, prompting immediate evacuation efforts. On Call’s Operations team quickly coordinated ground transportation and secured international flights from Dammam, routing through Medina and Amsterdam before continuing to the United States. On Call maintained close oversight throughout the journey, monitoring the student’s movements until safe arrival home was confirmed. 

About On Call International:
When traveling, every problem is unique–a medical crisis, a political threat, even a common incident such as a missed flight. But every solution starts with customized care that ensures travelers are safe and protected. That’s why for over 30 years, On Call International has provided fully-customized travel risk management and emergency assistance services protecting millions of travelers, their families, and their organizations. Visit www.oncallinternational.com and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more.