As emigration from South Africa increases, so does the number of cases of emigrants ending up in emergency situations abroad.

The worst example in this regard was when the pandemic lockdowns took effect in 2020 and 2021. Suddenly, people’s work permits were suspended, they lost their income and often their places of residence. In addition, flights or other transport to South Africa were not readily available. The authorities of most countries then tried to cooperate to repatriate their citizens, but in the process people still experienced stress, uncertainty and inconvenience, as well as significant financial losses.

These were exceptional circumstances and after the pandemic, things returned to “normal”. Now, as before, people become stranded outside the country’s borders due to:

• Scammers that trap them by supposedly offering them work opportunities and permits, or study opportunities and permits, which do not actually exist.
• A combination of circumstances whereby the opportunities offered, suddenly dematerialise.
• Health crises that arise and where the host country cannot cover the cost of medical care.
• Divorces or relationships that go awry.
• The death of a partner and/or breadwinner.
• Emergencies back home, such as when a parent or child in South Africa suddenly requires care.
• Offences, such as drug smuggling (knowingly or unknowingly), causing a car accident, failure to renew a visa or residence permit in time, etcetera.
• Hostage situations, when people are held for ransom by criminals or terrorist organisations.
• War situations and natural disasters.

Regardless of whether the stranded person or persons were at fault or innocently ended up in the predicament, there are few resources at home that they can rely on. They alone remain emotionally and financially responsible for getting out of the situation.

Some people have the opportunity and ability to plan ahead for such emergencies. They have the necessary travel, medical, security or other insurance and when a crisis arises, they can afford assistance in the country where they are until they can repatriate themselves. Family or friends can help others, but unfortunately there are also many cases where loved ones end up with enormous amounts of debt in the process, or even cannot help at all.

The state’s responsibility towards people in such emergencies is limited. Sometimes representatives will visit detainees or hospital patients and offer advice, but even that is not always possible. The state can neither assist with financial expenses in the host country, nor with repatriation costs such as flight tickets or other transport. This applies not only to the South African authorities, but to those of most countries in the world.

Institutions such as AfriForum are also unable to bear these costs. People who experience problems sometimes forget that each country has its own laws and although AfriForum, for example, has a panel of experts on South African legislation, these people are not knowledgeable about the legislation of other countries. In order to assist someone who is stranded outside the country’s borders for whatever reason with legal aid, experts in that country who know its laws and systems will have to be consulted, which may literally cost from hundreds of thousands to millions of rands. AfriForum’s focus is on helping our people in the country and therefore we are not authorised to incur expenses of such magnitude outside the borders. This also applies to rescuing people from natural disaster or violent situations, as well as assistance with medical emergencies.

Often, incidents of this nature have tragic consequences. It is extremely difficult to explain to a sobbing family member or friend that there is no institution that will make funds available for someone’s repatriation. Even commercial banks will require some form of security before granting loans. Our hearts break for the situations that are sometimes brought to our attention.

For this reason, AfriForum Worldwide consistently warns that prospective emigrants should make a thoroughly informed decision and not just try to emigrate on the spur of the moment. They should be wary of scams, know to which extent labour legislation will protect them in the host country, be sure of the available insurance such as for medical care, comply with all the conditions of their visa or residence permits, avoid dangerous or unstable destination countries and make wills to ensure certainty about what will happen to minors and other dependents if those responsible for them should unexpectedly pass away.

As is the case with any other kind of relocation, ensuring that there will be safety nets in case of unforeseen emergencies is the responsibility of the person deciding to go – with the important exception that any unexpected setbacks abroad will have far more perilous and costly consequences than if your domestic move does not work out as planned.

Nine things to keep in mind before you emigrate:

1. Create an emergency budget: Make sure you have the cost of at least three to six months of living expenses set aside before you take the leap. Emergency funds make the difference between crisis management and purposeful decision-making.
2. If possible, keep your South African bank account open: Access to your money in two countries can help you out if you find yourself in an emergency. Also consider international banking services that facilitate fast transfers and access from abroad.
3. Save digital copies of important documents: Your passport, visa, medical information, insurance – all of these documents should be securely available online, in order that you will always be able to access them easily, even in an emergency.
4. Join community networks: Find other South Africans or trusted diaspora communities in the vicinity of your new home. In difficult times, these are often the people who will be the first to step in to help.
5. Prepare yourself mentally: Emigration is not just a logistical move – it affects you emotionally. Isolation, culture shock, loneliness and homesickness are real, and their effects should not be underestimated. Make sure you know where to get help, including online.
6. Plan ahead to protect your children: Do the necessary research about schools and children’s rights in the new country, especially in the event of the loss of parents. What will happen to your children if something happens to you? It is a tough question – but an essential one.
7. Be careful what you share on social media: Don’t share your plans, location or personal details unnecessarily. You don’t want to become a target for scams or other risks.
8. Make wills that are valid both in your country of origin and your host country: If you have assets in more than one country, your will should be clear and legal in both jurisdictions. This protects your dependents in the event of you unexpectedly passing away.
9. Have a plan B – and maybe a plan C as well: Know what you will do if things don’t work out. Do you have alternative options or a safety net if everything doesn’t go according to plan? An alternative plan if your job, health or residency status changes?