Page 89 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT DECEMBER 2023

12/19/23, 11:32 AM Latest News
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 operating in these locations, including through

providing verified information and advice on how such risks will affect their workforce or by supporting
evacuations where needed.”

Due to new and evolving conflicts, some of the most notable risk rating increases this year have been parts
of Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Russia and across the Sahel. Ecuador and parts of Colombia have also
increased following a consistent rise in criminality and unrest.

In some regions, the risk rating has decreased. Most notably, the risk ratings for El Salvador and parts of
Nepal have reduced following sustained downward trends across a number of risk factors.

ENDS

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