AMERICAS Severe Drought Severs Global Trade as Panama Canal Reduces Capacity This past October marks the driest on record for the Panama Canal, an interoceanic waterway that is reliant on fresh water to operate. The severe lack of water for the Panama Canal has caused a major traffic jam to occur on both the Atlantic… Read more »
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Monthly Risk Spotlight: October 2023
AMERICAS Political Unrest and Transitions in Latin America In the dynamic landscape of Central and South American politics, nations often find themselves at crossroads, grappling with the dual challenges of political transition and societal unrest. While these challenges manifest differently across countries, the themes of governance, justice, and societal response remain consistently intertwined. For instance,… Read more »
Assessing and Mitigating Risk in a Dynamic Global Travel Environment
Travel in the modern world is more accessible than ever. Amid the added complexities of the global risk landscape, many organizations are expanding their global operations—while travelers are poised to discover new, less-traveled destinations. However, with this accessibility and increased global exposure, comes a certain degree of risk. Whether that risk stems from an organization/individual’s… Read more »
Travel Assistance 101: What is a Political Evacuation?
As we’ve seen recently, sometimes our travels take us to areas that are politically unstable. These tensions can quickly escalate into violence or even war, making an evacuation out of these areas the best course of action. Should you find yourself in a situation where a political evacuation becomes necessary, here’s how On Call can… Read more »
Monthly Risk Spotlight: September 2023
AMERICAS Atlantic Hurricane Season This month marks the midpoint of hurricane season in the Atlantic, which has the potential to be one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent decades. The hurricane season has not only been active but also powerful. For the first time since the 1950s, there have been two Category 3… Read more »
Monthly Risk Spotlight: August 2023
AMERICAS Indigenous Leaders from the Amazon Basin Gather in Brazil Brazil is perhaps best known for its Amazon Rainforest, yet only about 50% of the Amazon is in Brazil. The Amazon is known for its tropical flora, fauna, and biodiversity, yet forgotten is the immense diversity of its native population and the varied threats they… Read more »
The Risk Intelligence Toolbox: Streamlining the Travel Decision-Making Process
Navigating an increasingly uncertain global risk climate can be challenging—particularly for those responsible for fostering a safe and rewarding environment for students, faculty, and staff abroad. Luckily, intelligence can play a critical role in making sound decisions even during the most complex circumstances—allowing organizations to avoid ‘analysis paralysis’ while identifying the best path forward. In… Read more »
Monthly Risk Spotlight: June 2023
AMERICAS Second Attempt at South American Integration In a continent historically divided among itself, where political ideologies can manifest in extreme shifts to the right or left side of the political spectrum and where regional rivalries are plentiful, there is an ongoing, revitalized attempt to create a South American regional block. If successful, a South… Read more »
Common Travel Safety Scams and How to Avoid Them
We travel for many reasons, but meeting and interacting with people of other cultures surely tops most lists. Most of the time, these interactions are quite positive and rewarding – but sometimes, travelers can find themselves victims to scammers who love to prey upon travelers. Learn more about some of these most common travel safety… Read more »
Monthly Risk Spotlight: May 2023
AMERICAS Haiti’s Crisis: A Humanitarian Disaster in the Western Hemisphere In a country where elected officials are not elected, the police are ineffective and outgunned, and the ports and major highways are controlled by gangs with more influence and power than the central government, it is hard to imagine what a more cliche Hollywood dramatized… Read more »