Crisis communication
(CT:PEC-98; 09-02-2026)
(Office of Origin: R/EX)
10 FAM 331 crisis communication
(CT:PEC-98; 09-02-2026)
a. The GPA Assistant Secretary and the Office of the Spokesperson (GPA/SPOX) advise the Secretary on all aspects of the Department's communication and messaging during a crisis.
b. GPA's Crisis Communications Unit (GPA/FO/CCU) is the lead entity within GPA for crisis response and management and monitors global activity to prepare the Bureau and Department communicators for emerging crises. The team can be reached 24/7 via CrisisComms@state.gov or via the Operations Center. Posts should also consider requesting digital training, on-camera media training, Public Affairs Section consultations, or tabletop readiness exercises from GPA.
c. CCU is responsible for increasing crisis communications capabilities across the Department of State. GPA encourages missions and bureaus to engage with GPA on preparing for, responding to, and learning from crises. Posts will develop a crisis communication plan targeting U.S. citizens in the country, host country, international, and U.S-based audiences. Plans should be cleared by the CCU, and include pre-cleared messaging templates, an outline of probable staffing resources, impact to PD programs (like American Spaces or exchange programs), and operations that might require augmented support such as media monitoring, USG reporting, digital platform management, and imagery collection. Many issues will require coordination across the Mission country team, and events like drawdowns/evacuations or delivery of humanitarian assistance may need significant interagency, Washington, or White House/National Security Council coordination. Completed and cleared plans should be uploaded as an attachment to a post's Emergency Action Plan.
d. In the event of a crisis, GPA will work closely with the relevant regional bureau's PPD office, which is posts' primary point of contact for policy messaging guidance. GPA also remains responsible for the Global Public Affairs chair of any activated Operations Center Task Force (TF). Additional support for posts responding to crisis can include assistance from GPA teams, including the Regional Media Hub for press management and foreign language spokesperson (FLOX) engagement, digital surge support for web or social media, and activation of TDY support from GPA's Fly Away Communications Team (GPA FACT) for major events of intense international media interest.
10 FAM 332 through 339 UNASSIGNED