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THE_British Embassy in Bahrain has sent out an SOS urging their expats - believed to number around 10,000 - to register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) using its new online service called LOCATE.
Officials are keen to make contact with their nationals to allow them to forward urgent information if needed.
It could include an email or SMS message with details concerning a serious demonstration in the kingdom or advice during an emergency.
Fifty long-time residents of Bahrain have also been asked to set up a network of contacts and between them make contact with 300 British nationals as part of the initiative.
Tried and tested for the last few months the LOCATE system enables the British government to ascertain and provide assistance to their citizens in any part of the world that may have been struck by catastrophe or urgent situation.
In recent weeks it helped provide information to Britons in Zimbabwe and Lebanon. Simon Hart, second secretary management officer, consul and entry clearance manager, British Embassy, Bahrain, said that the on-line service replaces an earlier system that was labour intensive.
He said: "The positives of using LOCATE is that it becomes very useful during matters of life and death. The system will help embassies anywhere in the world track closest relatives back home during emergency situations.
"We urge people to include both their mobile phone number and email address when registering.
"It also advises every citizen to be insured before they travel as repatriation costs are the responsibility of the individual and can be covered only through insurance or other means."
Britain has 16 million of their countrymen living outside the UK and an estimated 68,000,000 foreign trips were made by British nationals in 2006.
LOCATE is a two-way service and in the event of an emergency worried family members can register details of a loved one who may be caught up in an incident.
If the traveller also confirms with the FCO that they are well, LOCATE will match the two bits of information and the good news can be quickly passed on to relatives.
'LOCATE' can be updated online from anywhere - home or office and the consular section here is enabling citizens who do not have access to a computer, or internet service, update their information through a laptop provided at the embassy in Manama.
Getting a user name and password is instantaneous and the rest is according to officials a matter of a few clicks.
The earlier system was not popular among non-resident Britons for several reasons said Mr Hart.
He added: "There was always the assumption that data is not safe and will be lost. However, there has not been even one incident of that nature in the Foreign Office. Glitches in the earlier system have been rectified and 'LOCATE' is much more user-friendly and simple to use programme."
As details on LOCATE are valid only for a year, the system is programmed to automatically email users to update their details. Information on proposed travel plans including short trips with calendar dates can be updated at anytime from any place.
Register on www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locatepublic or call the consular section on 17574118/119.
