Embassy responsibilities in the event of CANFU
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Firstly, for a definition of CANFU, please refer: http://www.all-acronyms.com/cat/9/CANFU
My elite upbringing doesn't allow me to articulate such filthy language.
Anyway, does any of your expats (from U.S., Europe or Aust) know your rights with embassies in the event of a civil war?
Would they give a shit?
On my embassy website, it says they are not responsible for physical security.
What a waste of tax payer money.
Where to go in the event of CANFU? Frescos?
Thanks,
Foobar
fresco would be a good idea... they have a promotion on right now
To the Lord God Almighty! 
The idea that government would be on your side in the event of a civil war -- ANY government, ANY civil war, in ANY country -- is, at best, optimistic.
Australian Consular service:
"in the event of war, civil unrest or natural disaster, provide current information and assistance in arranging an evacuation if appropriate and subject to the state of disruption of communications and transport on the ground"
Read into that however you want.
You can read the rest of the Australian Consular Services Charter here:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/services/consular-services-charter.html
When is this civil war kicking off?
Western embassies have emergency plans which they update regularly. Some western embassies have warden networks so that in the event of civil unrest the burden of contacting those in the community that the particular embassy has consular responsibility is shared. However, you need to register with your embassy.
In terms of what particular governments would do in the event of civil unrest - it depends. They'd advise their nationals to evacuate when things start getting hairy. If you don't heed that advice and hang out till the bullets start flying overhead then really you've only got yourself to blame. Simple as that.
"If you don't heed that advice and hang out till the bullets start flying overhead then really you've only got yourself to blame. Simple as that."
Really? Speak for yourself mate. I have family here and assets here.
I have family and assets here too.
However I wouldn't expect a carrier group to position itself off shore and helicopters to be sent to my rescue should it all go pear-shaped. If things were getting serious I'd leave. Perhaps you'd stay? Good luck to you! Envotech sell bullet proof vests. So as I said, you'd really only have yourself to blame.
To blame for what? Staying with my family instead of running away? We've all gotta go sometime. I'd rather go with my family around me thanks. I certainly don't expect a carrier group to be sent by my country of birth. I'd be surprised if they did anything bar getting their embassy staff out. Bullet-proof vests? Don't you think you are being a bit over-dramatic? What exactly are the threats right now? I'm more worried about the Mekong bursting its banks than any civil unrest.
The initial poster asked what an embassy's responsibilities are in the event of a civil war. So I'm not being over-dramatic. Just posting a response.
In terms of the embassy getting their staff out well I'd hope they would do. Their staff are only public servants after all, often carrying out administrative duties. They're not soldiers, although some may have military or police guards. To say that they'd do nothing other than get their staff out is a little silly. The western embassies would be in constant touch with each other, their governments back home and the local government trying to placate matters if possible. They'd also issue warnings to their nationals. Really that's all they could be expected to do. If things went bad quickly though then there may be a greater response e.g. Sierra Leone a few years ago etc.
I get an SMS from the US Embassy virtually every time the weather forecast is for high winds, or someone says the word "bomb" on Al Jazeera...even if I weren't in dtm's position, I'd be broke now if I'd heeded such ridiculous advice each time. Given the 'iron bubble' that most of these diplomats live in, I think the average expat on the street probably has a better sense of the threat than they do anyway.