What AGB Members in Affected Areas Can Do

The devastating tsunamis caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean last week have affected much of the Pacific Rim. While the complete scale of this tragedy is still unknown, we know the impact is profound. Due to the severe conditions associated with the aftermath of the tsunamis, there is also a fear of significant health impact to the survivors.

Tourists and business travelers have also been affected. To date, Argentina, Canada, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Norway and the United States report several thousand citizens dead or missing.

We urge you to continue to check your rosters to determine if you have employees that are either on assignment or traveling in affected areas and to contact us if we can be of assistance. It is probable that your employees are without personal records, cash, passports, and other essential information and could likely benefit from our help.

AGB’s International Health Advisory Team (IHAT) together with our Emergency and Security Assistance partner, MedAire, Inc., have been monitoring the situation very closely, and continues to assist members and plan sponsors throughout the area. We have arrangements with hospitals and other medical facilities throughout Asia to which we can facilitate payments directly. To date, we have been able to confirm that the Global Doctor clinics in Bangkok, Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia that are owned and operated by MedAire are fully staffed and prepared to provide medical assistance locally and can facilitate medical evacuations as necessary.

Countries directly affected include:

1. Bangladesh
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Kenya
5. Malaysia
6. Myanmar
7. Seychelles
8. Somalia
9. Sri Lanka
10. Tanzania
11. Thailand
12. The Maldives

Quick Tips for Immediate Assistance

1. Contact the AGB International Service Center toll free at
   800-231-7729.
   If you have an employee that needs emergency assistance, including medical evacuations, assistance with finding a hospital, recovering lost documents such as critical insurance information or passports, or other related services, and has access to a phone, they should call the AGB International Service Center where they will be able to speak with an IHAT specialist for assistance. You may also contact the AGB Service Center on their behalf by dialing 800-231-7729 (toll free) or 813-775-0190 (direct or collect).
   
   
2. Free counseling available through AGB’s International Employee Assistance Program (IEAP).
   We have set up a dedicated hotline for telephonic counseling, free of charge, through our IEAP partner, Aetna Behavioral Health. We have made this service available through March 31, 2005 for all members, regardless of their participation in the IEAP plan. The stress and other psychological effects could be tremendous. If your employees need counseling, please encourage them to contact our IEAP line toll free at 800-231-7729 or 813-775-0190 (collect).
   
   
3. Log in to www.aetna.com/agb for the most up to date information on relief efforts and health concerns
   Together with our partners we have implemented a special website that compiles information from relevant news and health organizations to help you keep apprised of the situation in affected countries. Upon logging in to the AGB website:
      •  Click on "Members"
      •  Click on "Global Health Information"
      •  Click on the link "Tsunami Health and Safety Resources"
   

Addressing Ongoing Needs

• In-person counseling and other available services
  If you have IEAP as part of your plan of benefits, we can help arrange individual counseling sessions for your employees. Given the state of affairs in the Pacific Rim, provider availability for face-to-face sessions may be limited; however, we will make every effort to accommodate your requests. At this time we have confirmed that we have counselors available on site in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand and are actively confirming availability in other countries in the Pacific Rim. Please contact the AGB International Service Center and ask to speak with an IEAP counselor.
  
  
• Critical Incident Support Debriefing (CISD)
  This is group counseling service that helps organizations to prepare for or respond to traumatic events. If you are interested in arranging for a CISD session for your employees, please contact your AGB representative for more information regarding pricing and availability.
  
  
• Warn those in affected areas to be careful what they eat and drink.
  According to the World Health Organization (WHO) those who have survived the tragedy are at risk for malaria, cholera and dengue fever. Clean drinking water is the key to avoiding these diseases. For more information on mitigating health risks, visit the WHO website at: http://www.who.int/hac/crises/international/asia_tsunami/en/
  
  
• Avoid travel to affected and neighboring countries.
  Recovery and relief efforts are under way. If possible, please keep your employees out of the affected regions. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Canada issued a statement on December 27, 2004 that travel to Thailand is not advised, but all of the countries affected are considered to be at risk. Avoiding these areas will help facilitate relief efforts and will protect potential visitors from encountering disease.
  
  The assessment of the extent of the damage, cleaning up of debris, and rebuilding essential infrastructure will take months. As a result, political, security and health officials are encouraging individuals and companies to delay future travel to countries affected by the tragedy until further notice.

As this situation continues to unfold, please let us know if we can be of any assistance. You may direct communications to your AGB representative or to the AGB International Service center directly at

800-231-7729 (toll free) or 813-775-0190 (direct or collect).

Regards,

Aetna Global Benefits