Large-scale emergencies outside Canada

Natural disasters, civil unrest and conflicts that spread across countries, can happen anytime, anywhere in the world, often without warning.

Learn what to do if there is a large-scale emergency at your destination.

Before you go

Get advice and recommendations about safety and security conditions abroad. Make your own informed decisions, including those that may affect your safety and well-being when outside of Canada. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

Consult our Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination.

Access our free Registration of Canadians Abroad service.

If you must travel to a country affected by a large-scale emergency, despite our advice to avoid all travel or non-essential travel:

check the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination and carefully evaluate how the situation in the country may affect your security and safety
check whether an advisory has affected your travel insurance coverage
leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact details with family or friends
give family or friends the contact information of our Emergency Watch and Response Centre
- carry the contact information for the Canadian embassies and consulates serving the countries you plan to visit

If you're affected by a large-scale emergency outside Canada

Consult the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination often for latest updates and information
Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information
Continue to seek additional information from trusted sources on the ground, if possible (a large-scale emergency may affect communications networks)
Contact your family and friends as soon as you can, even if aren’t affected, and continue to update them on your situation until you leave the affected area
If conditions deteriorate, consider leaving by commercial means if you can do so safely (but it's best to leave a country before a situation escalates into an emergency)
Monitor local news for the latest information on the situation and follow the instructions of local authorities
If there is civil unrest or conflict, keep a low profile and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings
If your destination is affected by a severe storm, read our advice on what to do before, during and after the storm
If you need consular assistance, contact:
- the nearest Canadian office abroad
- Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa

Government-assisted departures or evacuations

Government of Canada-assisted departures or evacuations of Canadians from another country are never guaranteed. They are an option of last resort, when all means of personal and commercial transportation have been exhausted and the safety and security of Canadians is compromised.

You should not rely on the Government of Canada for assisted departure or evacuation. The best time to leave a country is before a situation escalates into an emergency, while commercial options remain available.

Our ability to help you may be affected by:

the severity of the situation
our duty of care obligations to our staff
limits on our resources
local laws and regulations

If you ignore our advice to avoid all or non-essential travel to a country or region, you’re putting yourself and your family at risk.

Information on assisted departures or evacuation

Assisted departures and evacuations are limited to Canadian citizens

Assisted departures and evacuations are limited to Canadian citizens. In exceptional circumstances the Government of Canada may consider extending the eligibility to include permanent residents of Canada and eligible family members, as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

The expanded eligibility is not guaranteed. Family members may not be eligible for assistance.

Your pets will have to stay behind.

Transportation may not take you directly to Canada

Transportation we provide during an assisted departure or evacuation may not take you directly to Canada. In most cases it will only be to a safe location near the affected area.

The cost to you could be very high

You may have to pay for your assisted-departure travel to safe location near the affected area. You are also responsible for all additional costs, including temporary accommodations, food and basic necessities at the safe location, as well as your onward travel beyond it.

All travelers will require valid travel documents

During an assisted departure or evacuation, you and everyone travelling in your group must have valid travel documents. Be sure that your travel documents and those of your family members, accessible and secure.

Strict baggage limits will be enforced.

In most cases of assisted departure or evacuation, you’ll be allowed to bring with you only 1 piece of carry-on luggage.

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