So when we finally realized that we needed to seriously think about evacuating, I realized we really didn't know that much about it; the nuts and bolts. What EXACTLY happens? If you take a military flight, how do you get on the list when the phones and internet are out? How do you physically get to the flight? What can you take? Do you pay for it?
The Internet came on for a period of time and I was so thankful to turn to trusty Google and draw from the accumulated wisdom of the ages, because the answers were sure to be out there.
Instead, I found fire, earthquake, and bomb evacuation procedures. Just about every kind of evacuation besides political.
How do you evacuate a war zone????
While the information must surely be embedded somewhere out there, I made a mental note to write my own post in the service of humanity, in case someone else out there might need it someday. It's the kind of thing you really need to live through to learn. So, here's my advice:
1. No evacuation is ever routine, so be ready for every eventuality.
2. Be prepared for normal stand-fast situations:
A. Have a week's worth of drinking water on hand.
B. Have a week's worth of daily-use water available. I bought big plastic storage tanks that I kept on the patio. You will need this for washing hands, flushing the toilet, etc.
C. Have non-perishable food for at least a week, including food that doesn't need to be cooked in case you have no electricity/gas.
D. Always keep your car's gas tank at least half full.
E. Refill your natural gas tank promptly, especially if there is a lead up to political tensions.
F. Know all the routes around your home; know multiple routes to the border and the airport.
G. Establish a network of local people on whom you can rely. Know at least one person in your neighborhood as phones may not work.
H. Have multiple phone providers, preferably at least one non-state owned.
I. Update your contact information with your embassy and attend at least one meeting to learn their emergency procedures. (Inside friendships can be very helpful here, too.)
J. Get bars on your windows if that is typical for your area. Keep with the security of your neighborhood.
K. Keep your personal documents together and handy. Always have your passport on hand, when possible.
L. Always have a current exit visa in your passport and papers for your car to cross the border. (Note: this is where we failed :) )
M. Keep a supply of local and foreign currency on hand - enough to secure plane tickets or other transport...and any accompanying bribes (now is not a good time for ethics).
N. But, don't have so much local cash that it would be difficult to leave with it, or so that you would loose significant amounts if the currency collapsed.
O. Have a well stocked medical kit.
P. Keep extra phone credit on hand. When tensions increase, stock up on it. You will need it to get advice, check in with friends and make logistical plans.
3. When tensions mount, increase your perishable food stocks, refresh your water, keep your clothes and dishes cleaned, as much as possible and purchase extras of the above. Try to pay any workers what you owe them; they will need the cash if the situation gets bad.
4. Seek out local advice. Locals know much better what is going on and the situation on the streets. Get advice on where and when to travel, and if and when evacuation is advisable. They can also help secure supplies when resources are limited or it is dangerous to be on the streets.
5. Know who among your friends is well-placed to help you overcome hurdles in bureaucracy.
6. Keep up with the news as much as possible. Use multiple media sources as they choose to report different perspectives and different amounts of information. Some report immediately and some wait to verify accounts.
7. Don't wait too late to leave. By the time you feel unsafe, it may be too late to leave safely. Watch the multi-national corporations. They often evacuate early-on.
8. Don't travel after dark or before dawn. Stay off the streets as much as possible.
9. A baseball bat is said to be the best home defense.
10. Lock interior doors and windows as you leave. But note, our landlord wanted to get into our kitchen to turn off the refrigerator.
11. If you have the time, photograph your apartment/car for documentation. It might be helpful to pack up special objects so they can easily be shipped to you, should that be necessary.
12. Flights:
A. Use whatever means possible to book a flight, possibly purchasing multiple tickets, just in case.
B. Flights may be available for purchase only at the airport while not being offered online or in the offices.
C. Large commercial carriers' insurance policies are jeopardized by war zones, so they may cancel their flights.
D. Local carriers may choose to use their flights to evacuation their nationals, e.g. Egyptians only on Egypt Air.
E. Talk to people who have been at the airport to find out which carriers are actually making their flights and pursue those tickets.
13. Airport:
A. Take food and water (enough to last several days and enough to share).
B. Take hygienic resources; any toilets there will probably be quickly overwhelmed.
C. Take a blanket; airport floors are hard and cold when you sleep on them; or you may be stuck outside. In this case, something waterproof is most helpful.
D. Use women or children to get to safer locations. In some cultures they will honor these "vulnerable groups." In this case, make children plainly visible and take them forward. Women can get through a barrier first and then call back for their husband. Follow cultural norms.
E. They may try to confiscate too much cash if you try to leave with excessive amounts.
F. The less luggage you have the easier it will be. You can't be sure what airline policy on baggage will be, especially as you may have to take a military flight. Plus, with surging crowds it is difficult to handle bags. Consider only a carry-on each plus your emergency supplies. Many people abandon bags in the airport.
14. Military Evacuation
A. Pay attention to the embassy updates
B. They will tell you their evacuation options and when the 'last boat' is leaving. Once that last boat leaves, you are on your own.
C. If it is unsafe to travel to the Embassy, head directly to the airport. There should be a representative there (see C below...).
C. Embassy personnel may not, indeed be present, even if promised. Don't count on it.
D. Look for embassy staff from other countries as they may have agreements for evacuating 'friendly' nationals.
E. Embassy personnel may be located 'out of the way' - beyond the fray and may be hard to find.
F. If the airport is overrun, embassy personnel may set up assembly points outside the airport in the parking lot.
G. You may get to take one regular-sized suitcase, or you may take only what you can fit on your lap (a carry-on). If you take a big bag, be ready for the eventuality that you might have to leave it behind. Weigh the option of leaving those items in your home.
15. Vehicles: Try to leave your car at a friend's house where it can be watched. Abandoned houses or work compounds are vulnerable.
16. Pets: We don't have them so I ignored this issue, but I do know colleagues who struggled greatly with it. Maybe there is a suitable blog about this somewhere else. In short, you probably won't be able to evacuate them. Have an idea ahead of time on what to do. Fluffy deserves your best planning.
17. Returning: Keep up with your local friends to support them through the crisis. Rely on their advice about the right time to return.
There it is - all those nagging questions you may have about the ideal evacuation experience.
Oh, and by the way, Americans DO have to repay Uncle Sam for evacuation costs.
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