Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1852, 9 September 2026

QUESTION

Mr Gabriel Lam: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) how does Singapore assess the effectiveness of its contingency planning for Singaporeans caught in sudden overseas conflicts or major security incidents; and (b) whether the Ministry has identified improvements needed in evacuation, communication, and consular assistance following recent international crises.

REPLY

1        MFA has contingency plans to safeguard affected Singaporeans’ safety and welfare during overseas crises. These plans are regularly exercised, reviewed, and updated, including through after-action reviews of major consular operations. Recent international crises have also provided valuable lessons which we have incorporated into our contingency planning. MFA works closely with our Overseas Missions (OMs) to ensure that our contingency plans are robust. MFA’s Emergency Preparedness Framework is updated regularly.

2        Our 24/7 Consular Response Centre has enhanced the reach and responsiveness of our consular assistance and strengthened our ability to disseminate timely information and alerts to Singaporeans through the MFA website, eRegister, and social media. Where necessary, MFA deploys Crisis Response Teams to assist in evacuation of Singaporeans in crisis zones overseas.

3        Singaporeans travelling overseas must do their part to ensure their own safety. They should eRegister with MFA, monitor our Travel Notices and Advisories, purchase comprehensive travel insurance, and follow the advice of local authorities during any emergency.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

9 SEPTEMBER 2026