International SOS

Growth and acquisitions

In 2006, International SOS opened an Assistance Center in Dubai, where the company would manage services for the Middle East and northern Africa.[15]

In 2008 the firm launched a strategic alliance with Control Risks to offer combined medical and security services, launching TravelTracker,[16] and acquired MedAire, a provider of remote medical services for aviation and maritime founded by Joan Sullivan Garrett.[17] The company would expand on its strategic alliance with Control Risks two years later, launching TravelTracker Mobile, an accompanying software to TravelTracker.[18]

In 2009, the company acquired a majority stake in Abermed, a UK-based provider of occupational health and remote medical services to the energy sector.[19] In 2010, it developed a strategic alliance with RMSI, an international rapid deployment medical and rescue service, with activities in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia and Pakistan.

In 2011, it merged with VIPdesk, a North American provider of concierge services, customer care and loyalty programs, acquired the medical supplies division of SMI (Service Médical International), acquired of L.E. West, EMC, Shenton Pharmacy and Nutracare Pharma, and launched a joint venture in Brazil with International Health Care.

In 2012, it acquired EMSM, a concierge and lifestyle company in South Korea. And in 2013, it acquired Norwegian companies SBHT, KBHT, Haugaland HMS, and Nordic Medical Services (NMS), and partnered with Aerosafety, a medical and aviation safety equipment company in Brazil.

In 2014, it launched Response Services Australia, a provider of emergency response, rescue and recovery services, entered a partnership with AMAS medical Services in India, acquired Aeromed in Mozambique, and created strategic partnership with West African Rescue Association (WARA), a clinic and medical services company in West Africa.[20]

In 2016, it entered a strategic partnership with Everbridge. In that same year, International SOS became the first company in the world to be ISO/TS 13131 certified, dealing in the processes and practices of telehealth care.[21]

In 2017, it entered a Duty of Care integration with Rocketrip, started joint venture partnerships with Global Excel and Iqarus,[22] acquired International Health Solutions[23] and launched a digital consultation service from Aberdeen Health Centre.[24] It also started the world's first emotional support service for the mobile workforce.

In 2018, International SOS partnered with Al Rushaid to form a joint venture, providing medical services tailored to the construction, infrastructure and entertainment industries, while also providing services to the Saudi government.[25]

In 2019, it took full responsibility of the services it was previously providing as part of the Control Risks joint venture, to provide its consolidated Security Services suite to clients.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it rapidly expanded its TeleConsultation services, part of its TeleHealth services, to over 30 countries. International SOS partnered with the International Chamber of Commerce in that same year to launch ICC AOKpass, an app for digital verification of COVID-19 compliance status.[26]

In December 2022, the firm signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates to strengthen cooperation and partnership in providing health care services to UAE nationals abroad.[27]

In 2024, International SOS partnered with Ontic, a software firm, to co-develop security-based software that supports remote employee safety and workforce risk management.[28]

In 2025, International SOS partnered with SAF Aerogroup to jointly provide on-demand aeromedical services, including medical evacuation, disaster relief, crisis response, and humanitarian support internationally.[29]

Major assistance

International SOS has provided medical advice, assistance, and travel safety services during and after a number of major incidents.[30] These include the COVID-19 pandemic,[31] the Jakarta unrest,[30] the Mumbai terrorist attacks by helping those directly impacted by the event,[32] and the Yemen crisis.[33]

It has provided service during disease crises, including the provided medical assistance during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2003 SARS outbreak,[34] the Ebola outbreak in West Africa,[35][36][37] and the escalation of the 2016 Zika virus.[38] It also provided assistance to victims of the 2002 Bali terrorist bombing[39] and the 2019 Sri Lankan bomb attacks.[40]

It has dealt with major natural disasters such as the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the 2005 Hurricane Wilma,[41] the 2010 Haiti earthquake,[42] the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami,[43] the 2014 Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu,[44] the Sabah earthquake in Malaysia,[45] the 2023 Typhoon Mawar in Guam,[46] and offered security advice on 2024's Hurricane Milton[47] and 2025's Hurricane Melissa.[48]

The firm has also provided services to major sporting events such as the Summer Olympic Games in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012, and the 2010 Asian Games.[49]

In 2006, International SOS's medical transports became the first direct flights between mainland China and Taiwan to be flown since 1949.[50]

In 2021, International SOS coordinated a multiple patient COVID-19 evacuation from La Réunion Island to Paris.[51]

In 2023, the company participated in providing support for multiple security escalations, including those during elections in Nigeria[52] and Turkey,[53] a coup in Niger,[54] conflicts in Sudan[55] and the Israeli-Gaza crisis.[56]

In 2024, International SOS provided security advice and support during the Israel-Lebanon hostilities.[57]

In 2025, International SOS delivered evacuation assistance and continued to supply security advice to entities during the Twelve-Day War.[58] Additionally, the company provided similar services in regards to travel safety during the 2025 European and Mediterranean wildfires.[59]

International SOS Foundation

The International SOS Foundation launched in March 2012 with a grant from International SOS as a registered charity that is a fully independent and non-profit organisation.[60]

The Foundation has the goal of improving the safety, security, health and welfare of people working abroad or on remote assignments through the study, understanding and mitigation of potential risks. It has published, and acts as a repository for, a number of academic papers, articles and advisory notes on these topics.[61]

In 2016, the Foundation introduced the Duty of Care Awards to recognise organisations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to protecting their staff as they travel and work overseas.[62]

In 2017, the Duty of Care Summit was launched, bringing together industry leaders to share best practices in the safety and security of the mobile and remote workforce; this event took place on the day of the Duty of Care Awards.