News of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye this week reminds us that a disaster can occur at any time, unexpectedly, and the best time to prepare for one is now.
AIT reminds U.S. citizens in Taiwan that Taiwan is in a region prone to disasters. If you find yourself affected by an unexpected disaster, your own preparations will be most important.
Please consider the following:
Organize a “go-bag” to ensure your documents and necessary supplies are easily accessible in case you need to leave your home quickly. ready.gov/evacuation
Build a “stay-bag” or disaster supply kit to ensure you have enough supplies to shelter safely in place for an extended period of time. ready.gov/kit
Use this free form to create a personal communication plan. ready.gov/plan-form
Ensure all your documents and IDs are up to date. Renew your passport early. ait.org.tw/passports/
Please also find more information on how to be ready for a crisis on travel.state.gov, including what the State Department can and can’t do during a crisis. See ait.org.tw/u-s-national-preparedness-month for additional resources.
Assistance:
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit of either AIT Taipei or AIT Kaohsiung.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler-Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.