Page 87 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT DECEMBER 2023

12/19/23, 11:30 AM Riyadh Daily
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.

The world’s leading security and health risk services company, International SOS, is today releasing its annual interactive Risk Map
2024. The map has been designed to help organisations and their mobile workers better understand their global risks.

The Risk Map 2024 provides organisations with underlying medical and security risk ratings reflecting the impact of disruptive events,
such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas. Using data-driven tools, such as this Risk Map, can help
organisations maintain their Duty of Care responsibilities as global security, medical and climate change risks continue to evolve.
For the first time, the Risk Map includes a layer which also outlines climate change risks. Compiled by INFORM (a collaboration between
the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Joint Research Centre of European Commission), the data 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 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.

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