British expats on alert

If roads are blocked by demonstrators and Bahrain’s military in an extreme case of unrest, contingency plans have been put in place to evacuate British expats, says British Ambassador Iain Lindsay.

British Embassy officials held a meeting at the British Club in Adliya to address UK expats concerns about the anniversary of the unrest that swept the kingdom last year.

In the lead up to February 14, anxious Brits in Bahrain were eager to know what measures the embassy was taking to ensure their safety in the coming months and what procedures have been put in place in the event an evacuation is required.

Mr Lindsay said: “Although we are only a small embassy, we are taking all measures possible to ensure the safety of British citizens here in Bahrain.

 “While I am confident that security forces have a grip on the situation, we have put contingency plans in place if it comes to a worst case scenario.

“February 14 is only the beginning and so throughout the month and next month, the British Embassy will be in discussions with the Bahrain government to help ensure our citizens safety.”

There are various stages of the contingency plan, ranging from informing the public about what is happening to advising them to stay put in their homes until it is safe to leave.

The embassy’s head of mission Rupert Potter said that in the event of a high-level security situation measures have been put in place to help evacuate British citizens.

He said: “We learnt lessons from last year and rehearsed emergency procedures last week to ensure we can evacuate people if necessary. This involves using alternate airports and even exiting via sea and neighbouring Saudi Arabia.”

Britons have been advised to regularly check the UK in Bahrain Facebook page and to sign up for the LOCATE online service, which registers them with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Residents are also advised to check the embassy’s website for important updates and revisions to its travel advisory.

Mr Potter said: “The information we post is very valuable and as up-to-date as possible.

“We will keep posting relevant security updates in the coming months and adjust our travel advice accordingly.

“I would also like to remind people about the Warden system. The Warden’s role is to facilitate information flow in a crisis, and if need be, to provide additional hands-on support to the British Embassy. 

“In recent years new information channels such as Facebook and e-mailing via the UK registration system LOCATE became the key channels of communication with the British community. But following the crisis in 2011, the embassy and wardens have also revived and restructured the system, and are working to update the information they hold, all of which is taken from the details of British citizens registered on LOCATE. 

“The aim is for the wardens network to provide a further method of ensuring communication reaches as wide an audience as possible.”

Registration with LOCATE must be renewed yearly.

Mr Lindsay added: “I strongly encourage all Brits in Bahrain to register on LOCATE. Their details will then be given to wardens in the area who will therefore be able to contact them in the event of an emergency.”

To register on LOCATE, visit https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal