The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing concern among expats and their families alike.
Over the weekend, the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Iran has since retaliated hitting targets including expat hubs across the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
But international private medical insurance (IPMI) and assistance providers are responding to customer enquiries about flights, disruptions to care and prescriptions to ensure they and their families can continue to be supported.
A thousand cases
“In the last few days, we have opened over 1,000 assistance cases alongside 60-plus requests handled by MedAire, our dedicated aviation subsidiary,” Adam Lakhani, security director at International SOS, tells Health & Protection.
“The most common assistance requests from our clients relate to evacuation or relocation from Israel and the GCC states, accommodation and travel arrangements due to flight cancellations and safe locations, such as shelters, for people in affected areas.”
A large portion of the Middle Eastern and Gulf air space remains closed due to the ongoing conflict and Lakhani adds he expects to see closures extended.
“However, land borders, as of now, are open,” he continues.
“Two of the most active routes are the Sheikh Hussein Bridge into Jordan and Taba, Egypt. Roads are very busy so we are advising customers to be prepared for large amounts of traffic.
“We are continuing to issue tailored guidance on mobility, shelter-in-place, and continuity measures and working with aviation and logistics partners to plan evacuation routes and we stand ready to support further medical and security movements when and where viable.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate intense military activity to continue, including in the maritime domain near the Strait of Hormuz.”
Expats and travellers most affected
According to Claire Hargreaves, managing director for EMEAA at Trawick International, the expats most directly impacted are those residing in or traveling through regions currently experiencing airspace restrictions or heightened security measures.
“This includes individuals living and working abroad as well as those transiting through affected corridors,” Hargreaves explains.
Hargreaves adds other issues expats are raising including material concerns connected with ongoing medication requests and/or family members with specialist medical needs.
“Those with complex or ongoing medical needs also experience heightened impact,” Hargreaves continues.
“This includes individuals who rely on controlled medications, time‑sensitive therapies, specialty prescriptions, or routine appointments that may now be disrupted due to cancelled services or constrained medical access.
“Additionally, families with dependents who have significant clinical needs, such as chronic conditions, mobility impairments, or developmental or medical support requirements are disproportionately affected when local care pathways become unstable or unavailable.”
Most common enquiries
The most common enquiries from expats globally relate to flight cancellations or rerouting, evacuation planning, access to medical care, and clarification around trip interruption or delay benefits.
Insurers are also seeing requests for assistance with prescription continuity and understanding contingency options should travel advisories or operational conditions shift.
The insurer added the primary concerns of customers and resultant outreach to us is centred around safe advice around mobility, continued access to medical services and coverage, trip delay benefits and emergency prescription access for acute prescriptions.
Policyholders are being told to monitor official government and embassy advisories and keep personal documents safe.
They should also contact the assistance team immediately if facing diminishing supplies of essential medications, cancelled or inaccessible medical care, concerns related to a family member with complex clinical needs and uncertainty about whether it is safe or medically appropriate to travel.
Hargreaves added the company’s priority is ensuring that every insured person, especially those with complex medical needs or dependent care responsibilities has access to support.
