U.S. consuls can assist U.S. citizens abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the Consulate General or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). Consular officers can help destitute Americans contact family, bank, or employer to arrange for transfer of funds. In some cases, these funds can be wired through the Department of State. For information on how a consular officer can help under these circumstances, please visit the Embassy website at https://za.usembassy.gov/emergency-financial-assistance/ .

Additional information is also available at the Department of State’s website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html , select “International Travel,” select “Emergencies,” and follow the guidance under “Emergency Financial Assistance for U.S. Citizens Abroad”.

If you would like to speak to someone directly regarding Emergency Financial Assistance in South Africa, call or email the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Johannesburg: ACSJohannesburg@state.gov or 27 11 290 3000

Cape Town: ACSCapeTown@state.gov or 27 21 702 7411

Durban: ACSDurban@state.gov or 27 31 310 3300