In 1997 Consular Officers:

How Consular Officers Have Helped In An Emergency

 

responded to about 14,000 requests for assistance by private U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad

assisted families whose loved ones - some 6,000 - died abroad, including as many as 2,000 cases in which we aided in return of remains

handled about 2,700 arrest cases, including some 13,000 visits to Americans incarcerated overseas

provided assistance to Americans involved in accidents, victims of crimes and those who suffered medical emergencies

helped American parents adopt nearly 13,500 children abroad

maintained and updated the Consular Information Program: Travel Warnings, Public Announcements and Consular Information Sheets (one for each country in the world)

replaced some 200,000 passports overseas - many on an emergency basis

provided guidance on thousands of complex cases of nationality and citizenship determination, judicial and notarial services, and estates and property claims

in the last two years, we conducted five evacuations of all U.S. citizens in the following countries suffering instability and violence: Albania, Central African Republic, Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

What U.S. Citizens Say About The Service Of Consular Officers:

"The consul and his assistant ... were instrumental in getting my husband transported via an air medevac unit (from Mexico) to... Los Angeles. I will never be able to thank them enough for their support."

Sandra, Costa Mesa, California, March 28,1998

"My beloved daughter became ill ... and died in Merida, Mexico... I am writing to tell you that I honestly don’t know what my son-in-law and I would have done without the consideration and help given us by (the Vice Consul in Merida.)"

Theresa, Laredo, Texas, Jan. 24, 1997

"My brother was ambushed and murdered in Honduras. Were it not for the herculean efforts of (the consul), we would still be in Honduras trying to unravel the mass of red tape that is prevalent there."

Andrew, Pacific Grove, California, Feb. 24, 1998

"I fell down from a cliff (in Ethiopia) and was hit in the head by a boulder, fracturing my skull and maxilla and breaking several teeth... I am very grateful for all the help that I received (from the American Embassy) as it could have very well saved my life!"

Larissa, New York, New York, Nov. 28, 1997

"(While in Uzbekistan to adopt a baby girl,) I received word that the orphanage was taking the girl away from me and placing her back in the orphanage... What the Ambassador and his staff did for Emma is not part of their job description -- they went above and way beyond. (They) have made it possible for Emma and me to be a family." Holly, Oyster Bay Cove, New York, Feb. 21, 1997

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