Clog you are right on the money. The second you lose your job in this current environment your career has ended unless you find something within a reasonably short amount of time. The minute your aircraft/instrument rating lapses as an expat no one will touch you. No flight within last 12 months and no contracting company will want to know who you are.
Maybe you can head home to an airline but I am near certain they are not going to be hiring for most. Train and Truck drivers seem to be the pathway for many going ahead. It really is a desolate reality out there.
We had no choice but to lay down and accept the beating.