Haiti - Security : NOTICE for U.S. citizens traveling or living in Haiti - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7





iciHaiti - USA : The PNH received a batch of materials and equipment to fight against Gangs

iciHaiti - Special D1 Championship : 10th and last day (Calendar)

iciHaiti - Football : FIFA / CONCACAF seminar on the license of D1 clubs

iciHaiti - Humanitarian : Supply of essential supplies increasingly difficult

iciHaiti - Special D1 Championship : Complete results of the first 9 days


more news


Haiti - News : Zapping...

Haiti - Installation of the CPT : Rain of international reactions (Part 1)

Haiti - Politic : Statement by the President of Kenya

Haiti - CPT Installation : CARICOM Declaration

Haiti - Travel : JetBlue and American Airlines will resume their flights to Port-au-Prince


more news


Haiti - Security : NOTICE for U.S. citizens traveling or living in Haiti
07/08/2015 11:52:25

Haiti - Security : NOTICE for U.S. citizens traveling or living in Haiti
Updated August 5, 2015 : The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Haiti about the lack of adequate emergency medical facilities, and the security environment in Haiti. This replaces the Travel Warning dated December 4, 2014 and provides updated information regarding the changing nature of crime involving United States citizens in Haiti.

[...]

Haiti's emergency management infrastructure remains in poor condition. We strongly encourage visitors to Haiti to obtain evacuation insurance. A new private air ambulance company has opened recently, representing a significant advance in response services, but its service is limited https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-14640-icihaiti-health-important-agreement-between-ofatma-and-ayiti-air-anbilans.html . Those traveling in rural areas of Haiti should verify service to where they are traveling. Additionally, medical facilities in Haiti, including road ambulance services, are particularly weak. Some U.S. citizens injured in accidents and others with serious health concerns have been unable to find necessary medical care in Haiti and have had to arrange and pay for medical evacuation to the United States.

Reports of kidnappings have fallen off sharply, with just one incident involving a U.S. citizen reported to the Embassy so far in 2015, continuing a dramatic decline in such crimes since 2011. While the Government of Haiti, however, has made progress in arresting and disrupting perpetrators, kidnapping for ransom can still affect anyone in Haiti, most particularly those maintaining long-term residency in the country.

We urge U.S. citizens to remain aware of the possibility of robbery, especially in the Port-au-Prince area and in particular soon after leaving the airport. While Haitian authorities have taken serious measures to improve airport security and the frequency of these crimes is down, from May to October 2014 there were 64 reported cases of U.S. citizens being robbed shortly after departing the airport, a spike associated with the busy travel period during the summer. Three of these robberies resulted in the death of U.S. citizens. In almost all cases reported to the Embassy, the victims were U.S. citizens of Haitian descent visiting family and friends. Therefore, we urge U.S. citizens to be circumspect in sharing specific travel plans, and we recommend that U.S. citizens have their host or organization meet them at the airport upon arrival and/or have pre-arranged airport transfers and hotels. The Embassy is currently monitoring the occurrence of airport robberies as we move into the busy summer travel season.

We also urge U.S. citizens to exercise caution when visiting banks in Port-au-Prince. Robbery crews have been known to surveil banks and rob customers shortly after departure.

Regions of Haiti outside the capital have reported fewer incidents of crime. The Haitian authorities' ability to respond to emergencies is limited, however, and in some areas nonexistent. Embassy employees are required to adhere to certain required security and safety measures when traveling outside of Port-au-Prince, and they have restrictions on travel in certain areas or times [...]

While the United Nations’ Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) currently supports the activities of the Haitian National Police (PNH), their numbers will decrease during 2015 as mandated by the U.N. Security Council. The HNP, with assistance from MINUSTAH, is responsible for maintaining order and rendering assistance. Given the possibility and unpredictability of spontaneous protests, however, their ability to assist U.S. citizens during disturbances is very limited. U.S. government-facilitated evacuations, such as the evacuation that took place from Haiti in 2010, occur only when no safe commercial alternatives exist [...]

The U.S. Embassy is located in Port-au-Prince at Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti, telephone: (509) 2229-8000, facsimile: (509) 2229-8027, email: acspap@state.gov American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Consular Section is closed on U.S. and local holidays. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, please call (509) 2229-8000 and an automated attendant will connect you with the Embassy duty officer. U.S. citizens can also stay informed about conditions in Haiti by following the Embassy and ACS on Twitter and Facebook.

HL/ HaitiLibre

Twitter Facebook Rss
Send news to... Daily news...




Why HaitiLibre ? | Contact us | Français
Copyright © 2010 - 2024
Haitilibre.com