Page 85 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT DECEMBER 2023

12/19/23, 11:30 AM International SOS releases Risk Map 2024 | UAE News 24/7
provides quantified estimates of the impacts of climate change on
the future risk of humanitarian crises and disasters. This risk index
is intended to inform policy choices across climate mitigation and
adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and
humanitarian assistance for greater resilience to the adverse
impacts of climate change.

The 2024 Risk Map can be used as a tool to build a
comprehensive view of the risk landscape around the world.

Climate change increases health risks

International SOS is seeing a rising trend in the number of climate-
related alerts being issued to clients as rising global temperatures
are increasing health risks around the world. Greater support has
been requested by businesses on this issue. There were 80%
more medical alerts issued by International SOS relating to climate
change factors in 2023 compared to 2022. This statistic highlights
just how significant the issue is to businesses and their leaders.

Dr Irene Lai, Global Medical Director at International
SOS comments, “Just one example, the extreme heat events this
year, with the first ever named heatwave “Cerberus” hitting
Europe, may become commonplace. In addition to the physical
impacts of extreme heat, there can be significant negative effects
on mental health. It is essential businesses plan for this, adapting
our way of living and working to protect health, while also taking
steps to slow and eventually reverse the trend in rising
temperatures.”

Changes to medical risk continue to vary across countries and
regions. Two notable improvements in medical risk this year are
Bolivia and Côte d’Ivoire, largely based on the gradual
improvement in access to quality medical care, particularly in the
major cities.

Geopolitical risks continue to dominate global security
concerns

The Risk Map also provides a better understanding of the wider
security situation in countries which employees may be travelling
through or working in. It helps to better inform organisations so
they are able to create tailored solutions to mitigate the specific
risks that their workforces may encounter.

Sally Llewellyn, Global Security Director, at International
SOS comments, “For the coming year, geopolitical tensions, unrest
and political instability are expected to impact business operations.
This is reflected in the map with the Sahel, parts of the Middle East
and Ukraine in the ‘high’ or ‘extreme’ security risk
category. International SOS continues to support organisations

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