Northwestern University in Qatar

IN THE EVENT OF ANY EMERGENCY

PLEASE REFER TO THE BELOW USEFUL EMERGENCY CONTACTS:

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU MAKE A HARD COPY OF ALL YOUR IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS, INCLUDING FAMILY, DOCTOR, ETC., AND KEEP IT IN YOUR EMERGENCY GO-BAG.

INTRODUCTION

The safety and security of the Northwestern Qatar community is the utmost priority of both Northwestern and Northwestern Qatar leadership. Therefore, in an event where the safety and security of our community and/or the operational viability of the University may be threatened, Northwestern Qatar will respond rapidly and effectively, placing the highest priority on protecting our community members.

In the unlikely event of man-made or natural situations threatening political, security, environmental, utility infrastructure, or other high-risk areas, Northwestern Qatar and Northwestern University senior leadership may justify the decision to cease or suspend operations and commence evacuation procedures resulting in the removal of international students and employees and their dependents from Qatar.

The evacuation process will be supported by our security partner, Global Rescue. This quick guide is produced to brief members of our community on the concept of a country emergency evacuation and offer advice on preparing yourself or your family.

Would we really have to evacuate?

An evacuation to an international safe haven, or to a community members home country is only one of various options in managing a security crisis. Other options include: (a) conduct business as usual; or (b) remain at home (shelter-in-place). Evacuating under hostile conditions can be very dangerous. Generally, waiting for the situation to stabilize is far less risky than attempting to implement an evacuation hastily. It is anticipated that there will be sufficient warning of heightened threat conditions for a planned and orderly evacuation. Every effort will be made to place evacuees on scheduled commercial aircraft to their home countries. In instances where commercial aircraft become unavailable, chartered flights may be required.

Following lessons from the Qatar blockade in 2017, evacuation options will most likely utilize scheduled airlines at Hamad International Airport. Northwestern Qatar holds a non-indemnified security evacuation agreement with Global Rescue to acquire chartered aircraft, if needed.

It is important to be vigilant and keep abreast of potentially emerging security threats. The Crisis Management Team (CMT) at Northwestern Qatar, in consultation with its contracted security support services provider, the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer (RSO), the Qatar Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), and the Joint University Higher Education Hazard Vulnerability Planning Forum (HVAP), continually assesses all threats with potential impact to the Northwestern Qatar community.

AN IMMEDIATE EVACUATION SCENARIO IS UNLIKELY, SO WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PHASED APPROACH BASED ON SECURITY POTENTIAL THREAT SCENARIOS OR ‘TRIGGERS’

Normal operations/preparation

• There is no specific threat to personnel or operations—business as usual. This is the phase we are normally in, unless otherwise informed by Northwestern Qatar senior leadership.
• We are not sitting idle in this phase. Northwestern Qatar continually reviews and tests the plans and communication capability.

Alert

• An event significant enough has occurred to threaten—or potentially threaten— the safety and security of the Northwestern Qatar community members to consider raising the response level and preparations for evacuation.
• You will be informed in a timely manner. Our Crisis Management Team will meet to discuss the events and appropriate response. We might ask you to consider evacuating domestic staff and/or visitors (and pets).

Recall and Assembly

• The situation is such that Northwestern Qatar is in preparation to evacuate Qatar. Northwestern Qatar-covered individuals will shelter-in-place, in their own accommodation, and wait for further instructions from the CMT/Global Rescue and advice from the Embassy/Home Campus.
• We will request you to return to your residence, shelter- in-place, and wait for further instructions on evacuation. Our goal will be to evacuate dependents and non- essential staff first. Global Rescue will be on the ground.

Evacuate

• The situation dictates that a call to evacuate will be made.
• We will plan to use commercial flights. If not feasible, Global Rescue will charter flights and fly you to an international safe haven before flying you home. No pets or domestic staff will be evacuated.

Hold and Deploy

• Remain as NU-Q members and out of Qatar until deemed safe to return.
• You will remain at home or at an international safe haven until a security assessment deems it is safe to return.

COMPOUND WARDENS, CALLING TREE COORDINATORS, and EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY AREAS

Location of Emergency Assembly Areas (EAA) and Resources

The Compound Warden System is an additional level of coordination and communication with students, employees, dependents, and visitors in the event of an emergency or evacuation. This communication network ensures that significant events, warnings, and instructions related to security and safety are shared with you in an accurate and timely manner. The wardens will be your communications link to the Crisis Management Team and vice versa.

• Make sure you know who your warden is
• Be alert to receive instructions from them
• Add your warden’s cell phone number to your emergency contact list

Your Emergency Assembly Area (EAA) is a pre-selected point where you will gather before a coordinated move to the airport. The least disruptive and most manageable assembly areas are our residencies. We have nine EAAs. Individuals and families residing outside these hubs will be allocated to their nearest EAA before any evacuation order. From there, a convoy/bus will transport you to the airport for departure.

Shelter-in-place

Some emergencies, including natural disasters, may require an order to shelter-in-place, i.e., to remain at home or on standby while waiting for emergency evacuation out of Qatar. Community members should consider a situation where food and water supplies in shops are very limited. Although previous plans recommended provisions for 3-5 days, advice from security service providers indicates that a 14 days of supplies should be planned for a worst-case scenario.

Below is a list of items recommended for a shelter-in-place order. This list is not exhaustive, and community members are encouraged to consider their own and family needs during a potentially prolonged period. Northwestern Qatar HSSE can be contacted for further advice.

Water and non-perishable Food

• Enough dry goods to sustain each family member for 14 days
• Enough bottled water (three (3) liters/person/day) for each family member for 14 days

Medical Supplies

• Consider your and your family’s need for prescriptive drugs
• First aid supplies

Sanitary supplies and personal hygiene items

EmErGEnCy Go-BaG

Each employee and international student is recommended to prepare an Emergency Go-Bag. It should be large and sturdy enough to grab-and-go in an emergency situation. You should personalize your own bag based on your own needs. Keep your Emergency Go-Bag at home and ready for use.

EmErGEnCy dEparturE KIt

Check your checklist as you pack. Easy-to-carry bags are preferable to large suitcases. Luggage may likely be restricted in case of emergency evacuation. We recommend one (1) 20 KG bag and one (1) carry-on (7 KG) per person. Critical items should be packed in a carry-on, where possible, to ensure they are not lost in transit.

Suggested items to carry

• Passport (with visa if required)
• Air travel ticket (if received or issued)
• Company ID, driver’s license, national ID, allergy/vaccination cards, other photo ID
• Insurance card
• Records: medical/immunization/dental
• Certificates: birth/marriage/residency/naturalization
• Emergency contact list (keep a hard copy)
• A list of required medications
• Sufficient bottled water
• High-energy food, such as chocolate/protein bars
• If not available, other types of non-perishable food items
• Sanitary items
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat or head scarf
• Good, closed walking shoes/boots
• Mobile phone, including chargers, extra batteries
• Cash, including U.S. dollars and/or local currency in various denominations (U.S. dollars are recommended)
• Reading material
• Pack of cards (boredom)
• Change of clothes
• Toiletries

Make sure Northwestern Qatar HR has your emergency contact details for you and your family.

Actions Checklist

In the event of an evacuation, you should follow these instructions:

• Ensure you are always in communication with your compound warden.
• Pack your emergency departure kit.
• Ensure you have your ID documents with you.
• Secure your accommodation and possessions.
• Wait for instructions to move to your allocated EAA.
• Travel to the airport in convoys/buses (not on your own unless instructed to).
• Stick together as a group at the airport.

During the evacuation:

• Follow the instructions of the compound warden/CMT.
• Monitor the morale, health, and safety of your family and colleagues.
• Keep your families overseas up to date on your situation.
• Remain flexible and prepare for potentially long delays
• Remain in contact with your compound warden/CMT throughout.
• Monitor news and information sources.

It is important to note that you must make arrangements for your pets, as Northwestern Qatar and Global Rescue cannot evacuate them. Speak to Northwestern Qatar HSSE about this.