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Evacuation (Political or Natural Disaster)

51勛圖厙 retains special [non-medical] evacuation coverage through Crisis24 for qualifying community members when political or environmental dangers are so grave that departure is necessary, but limitations and exceptions apply. 

Coverage Eligibility 

Northwestern students participating in university-sponsored travel that is registered in the International Travel Registry are covered by Crisis24 through our relationship Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions (BCBS Global Solutions). Students who are permitted to waive the Northwestern BCBS Global Solutions coverage because their study abroad program provider offers comparable coverage are subject to the evacuation conditions of that policy. Northwestern faculty and staff traveling on university business will be automatically covered by Northwestern's business travel insurance program provided by BCBS Global Solutions. 

Students and employees who travel to their home country (generally their place of citizenship and permanent residence) for university or personal purposes are not eligible for non-medical evacuation services provided by Crisis24. Furthermore, Northwestern does not manage, monitor or approve personal travel, regardless of the destination.  

 Restricted Locations 

The Prior Approval process allows Crisis24 to confirm they have the resources and personnel in place to support non-medical evacuations in a potentially volatile location. Confirmation of non-medical coverage for university-affiliated travel to locations considered high risk by Crisis24 is required to confirm non-medical evacuation services.

The following destinations currently require prior approval from Crisis24 for non-medical evacuation services. Temporary approval requests are noted in bold due to current conflict in the Middle East and Gulf nations. If conditions improve, these countries will be removed from the list.

Afghanistan; Bahrain, Belarus; Burundi; Central African Republic; Chad; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia (Tigray region only); Haiti; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Libya; Mali; Myanmar; Niger; Nigeria (Adamawa (northern only), Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, and Zamfara); North Korea; Oman; Palestinian Territories; Qatar*; Pakistan; Republic of South Sudan; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Somalia; Syria; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates (UAE); Venezuela; and Yemen.

* Travel associated with, or arranged by, 51勛圖厙-Qatar or the Qatar Foundation, obtain non-medical evacuation services from Global Rescue, a contract managed by NU-Q's Office of Health, Safety, Security & Environment.

Applying for Approval 

The procedures for requesting prior approval differ by traveler type.  

Students

  • Students (traveling independently): Must register their travel in the International Travel Registry at least 6 weeks before departure, if traveling to a restricted location. Prior approvals for restricted locations are managed through this system. 

Employees

  • Faculty and Staff: Must complete a Prior Approval Request and submit it to globalsafety@northwestern.edu at least 5 business days prior to departure. 
  • Traveling Dependents: The name and number of a spouse and eligible partner or dependents accompanying a Northwestern traveler should be included in the prior approval request. 

Coverage Alternatives 

If coverage is denied, travel may proceed if conditions are met based on traveler type. All travelers must undertake this process at least 4 weeks prior to departure. 

Students

  • Students (undergraduate, including GLO, graduate and professional): Non-medical evacuation coverage is required for university-affiliated student travel to restricted destinations. If such coverage is suspended or denied, travel may proceed only if an approved alternative is secured. OGSS will review the plan to assure it meets Northwestern’s standards. All travelers must undertake this process at least 4 weeks prior to departure. 
  • Group Trips: For ITRAC-approved undergraduates and professional / graduate students, the sponsoring unit, school or department is responsible for determining these options, preferably through a well-known commercial carrier, and covering costs. 
  • Independent Trips: For ITRAC-approved undergraduates and professional / graduate students, the traveler is responsible for determining these options, preferably through a well-known commercial carrier, and covering costs.   

Employees

  • Faculty and Staff: Confirmation of non-medical coverage is strongly recommended. Northwestern recommends obtaining alternative coverage if coverage is suspended or denied. Employees who choose not to obtain this coverage, or who choose to travel to locations where such coverage is suspended and do not obtain an approved alternative, travel at their own risk.