Case Studies - What we do

Case Study 1 – Medical Evacuation (Liberia 2003)

A French media crew were covering the Liberian crisis in Monrovia when the journalists were caught in crossfire between the factions, one of the journalists was shot through the thigh shattering his femur and totally incapacitating him.

The Odyssey Hotline was contacted and immediate medical advice provided direct to the scene whilst the evacuation plan was put into action.  The journalist was extracted to a safe house where his wounds were treated.  Whilst this was happening an Odyssey medical team departed for Monrovia. The journalist was met at the safe house by our medical team, treated on site, and subsequently escorted to the Airport for evacuation to Cote d’Ivoire.  He was then transferred to a waiting aircraft and flown directly to Paris for surgery.  The journalists family and French authorities were kept up to date at all phases of the evacuation through our Hotline.  The timeframe from receiving the call to landing in Paris was just 12 hours.
 

Case Study 2 – Business Fraud (Africa/China 2004)

A major international company who had been operating across Africa for many years was seeing declining turnover for no discernable reason.  Odyssey were asked to review operations and identified a quantity of high quality counterfeit product in the marketplace.  A detailed surveillance operation was undertaken over six months which identified several lines of import across four African countries of the counterfeit product all originating from factories in China.

The investigation identified the head of the counterfeit ring as a high level government executive with significant influence and regional contacts, this presented a range of difficulties for the company and its continuing relationship within that particular country.

Odyssey were able to intercept, cease and destroy a large component of the shipment in a neighbouring country with the assistance of local authorities not connected to the importer, this had the effect of making the counterfeit importation un-commercial which ultimately caused it to wind up.  The international company saw an immediate rise in turnover of 30%.  The operation ran for over 12 months in total.
 

Case Study 3 – Emergency Evacuation (Côte d’Ivoire 2004)

In 2004 talks of democratic elections in Cote d’Ivoire sparked riots on the streets of Abidjan between the government sponsored group ‘Le Jeune Patriots’ (Young Patriots) and rebel forces opposed to government rule.

Anger spilled into the streets with white Europeans bearing the focus of this anger resulting in many rapes and murders.  The civil unrest grew so quickly many expatriates were caught at work unable even to make it home.

Odyssey immediately reacted our local Guard Force who were able to move about the streets and recover a number of clients to pre-planned safe houses in accordance with our evacuation planning.

Whilst this was occurring other Odyssey staff were enroute to Africa in a specially charted 767 from Paris, landing in Abidjan with our Evacuation and Medical Teams to commence a mass evacuation of our clients.  Upon landing our Evacuation Team moved through the rioting town via bus collecting clients from their homes and safe houses and returning them to the aircraft.

Over 150 people were evacuated from the destroyed city landing in Paris before any government organised evacuation had even departed Europe.  The smooth process was achieved through detailed planning and preparation coupled with close communication with French Forces and Government authorities.
 

Case Study 4 – Remote Medical Support (Mali 2006) 

The rise in Gold prices has seen expansion in previously decommissioned mines and offshore rigs.  As part of reopening a remote mine site in Mali for an Australian client Odyssey were called upon to provide a Medical Centre and Emergency Doctor to support mine staff.

The Medical Centre included a Doctor and Nurse plus all the necessary equipment and drug stocks.  The Centre was raised in under two weeks and immediately provided Emergency Specialist treatment with a surgical capability to local and expatriate personnel.  Several evacuations were undertaken for serious crush and vehicle injuries which occurred on site.

In addition to the mine site support local villagers were regularly treated with basic medical care including immunisations and vaccinations which provided a great public relations boost for the Mine.

Odyssey have since raised a medical company providing assisted medical insurance and support to employer groups and employees on a shared basis, improving the health of third world employees.  See www.MedicisWA.com.
 

Case Study 5 – Security Risk Assessment (Australia 2006)

A major Defence Industry supplier was advised by Federal authorities that controlled stores on site were being targeted for theft by criminal groups.  The items posed a risk to National Security should any theft occur.

Odyssey staff conducted widespread analysis of the site including interviewing staff, reviewing existing security arrangements, penetration testing, liaison with local Police and a variety of other actions to determine the vulnerable areas and weak points.  A number of mitigation strategies were developed to counteract the potential threats.

A range of works were undertaken to strengthen the site including fencing, cameras, access control, alarms, patrol routines, response procedures and physical barriers.  The site was recently reviewed by Defence personnel under Australian legislation and successfully passed.