Navigating current challenges: A business continuity checklist for the Middle East & Cyprus

1. People first

1. Confirm/collate employee contact details, and create simple check‑ins.
2. Share regional/office specific safety guidance.
3. Promote wellbeing and mental‑health helplines.
4. Encourage employees to report concerns early.
    

2. Decisions/Plans

1. Stand up a small Crisis Management Team with defined roles.
2. Keep a decision log for time & transparency.
3. Play through scenarios (“If X happens, we do Y”), and create response plans with triggers them.
    

3. Remote working

1. Make early calls on WFH or temporary relocation to reduce uncertainty.
2. If allowing people to work from abroad, check visas, right‑to‑work, insurance cover and license to practice requirements.
3. Be clear about what support the organisation can and cannot provide.
    

4. Evacuation & shelter planning

1. Identify safe locations, assembly points, and fallbacks.
2. Map primary & secondary evacuation routes/destinations.
3. Communicate and practice move and shelter instructions.
4. Check visas etc as above, also have travel document details collated & ready.
    

5. Internal comms

1. Create single source of truth to counter external misinformation
2. Share short, factual updates at steady cadence.
3. Maintain backup channels (SMS, offline apps, emergency messaging)
4. Avoid speculation, only communicate only what is confirmed
    

6. Situational awareness

1. Monitor trusted intelligence, media & official advisories.
2. Stay connected with local authorities, embassies, and security partners.
3. Regularly review threat levels vs triggers, adjust posture accordingly.
4. Connect with peer groups or WhatsApp networks.
    

7. Operational continuity

1. Identify what must continue (critical processes) and what can pause in a major disruption.
2. Enable and prepare remote access to essential systems and documents.
3. Ensure data backups and alternative suppliers are in place.
    

8. Keep plans simple

1. Brief teams on who to contact, what to do, and where to go.
2. Make plans accessible offline (print contact lists of employees and suppliers etc).
3. Keep instructions short and easy to follow.