Travel Advice for Haiti - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
/Advice/Haiti?20010813HTWednesday, 29 February 2012, 15:28:52, +1100
2012 Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeWhile every care has been taken in preparing this travel
information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its
agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff
abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in
respect of any statement contained therein.
Travel Advice Levels
| Haiti overall | Reconsider your need to travel |
The overall level of the advice has not changed.
The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Summary
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Haiti at this time because of unpredictable security situation, including lawlessnessand high levels of serious crime, and severely damaged infrastructure following the earthquake in January 2010.
If you do decide to travel to Haiti, you should exercise extreme caution.
The security situation in Haiti remains unpredictable. Following Presidential elections in November 2010 and March 2011, a new government was formed in October 2011. However, there remains the risk of violence and social unrest.
You should avoid all demonstrations and protests as they have a high risk of turning violent. We recommend you monitor the local media for new safety and security threats.
Since late October 2010, a cholera outbreak has been reported in Haiti. It is especially severe in the Artibonite province and has spread to the capital Port-au-Prince. Thousands of people are reported to have died and thousands more have been infected. Cholera causes diarrhoea and vomiting and can be fatal if left untreated. Correct food hygiene and preparation are essential to minimise the risk of contracting cholera. We advise you to drink only bottled or boiled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw or undercooked food. Seek immediate medical advice if you suffer from diarrhoea.
On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred 22 kilometres west of the capital Port-au-Prince, causing many thousands of casualties, and widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including health services, roads, telecommunications and other utilities. Shortages of basic necessities such as food, water and medical supplies have increased the risk of disease outbreaks.
Foreign aid workers have been the target of kidnapping, robbery and acts of violence. You should take precautions to ensure your personal security and safeguard personal property, particularly at night.
Hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services may occur. Monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
If you are travelling to Haiti during hurricane season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether services at your planned destination have been affected.
Given the unpredictable security situation, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Haiti for the most up-to-date information.
If you are travelling to Haiti through the United States of America (USA), or if you are transiting in Honolulu or other USA points of entry, you are required to meet USA entry/transit requirements. Make sure you check with your nearest US Embassy or Consulate your visa requirements well in advance of your travel. You should also read our travel advice for the United States of America. For information about some recent changes to United States border entry procedures, including the use of Emergency Passports and Documents of Identity, please see our travel bulletin on entry into the United States.
Local immigration authorities may request evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling to Haiti from a yellow fever endemic country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) website contains a list of yellow fever endemic countries.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Civil unrest/Political tension
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Haiti at this time because of unpredictable security situation, including lawlessness and high levels of serious crime, and severely damaged infrastructure following the earthquake in January 2010. Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you are comfortable travelling to Haiti knowing that you could be caught up in politically motivated violence or targeted by criminals. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Haiti, you should exercise extreme caution.
The political situation in Haiti remains unpredictable. Following Presidential elections in November 2010 and March 2011, a new government was formed in October 2011. However, there remains the risk of violence and social unrest. Local authorities, including the police, often have limited or no capacity to control developing situations or provide assistance.
You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent. Foreigners caught up in demonstrations have been attacked. We recommend you monitor the local media for new safety and security threats. You should also maintain an up to date contingency plan in case the security situation deteriorates further.
Crime
The level of crime in Haiti is very high and the police have little ability to enforce laws. Local authorities often have limited or no capacity to provide assistance, even if you are a victim of a serious crime.
There is a high and increasing incidence of violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault and carjacking. The risk increases at night and in isolated areas. You should avoid travel after dark. The road leading to the Port-au-Prince airport is vulnerable to carjacking. When driving, you should ensure that windows are up, doors are locked and valuables are out of sight.
Foreign aid workers have been kidnapped and robbed while working on the reconstruction of Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake. In early March, two foreign aid workers were kidnapped and held captive for nearly a week before their release. Also in early March, foreign aid workers handing out food coupons were attacked with stones and detained for a short period.
Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.
There is a high risk of robbery and assault when using public transport, including taxis.
Foreigners taking photographs are often regarded with suspicion and have been assaulted, particularly in remote areas.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You should be careful to avoid the loss or theft of your passport. Travellers are likely to experience significant delays and expense arranging replacement travel documents in Haiti where there is no resident Australian mission.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Travel by road is dangerous due to aggressive driving practices and poorly maintained vehicles and roads. Traffic laws and speed signage are routinely ignored. You should avoid travel by public transport. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in Haiti, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and may lead to imprisonment and fines.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money, laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australian overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Health
Since late October 2010, a cholera outbreak has been reported in Haiti. It is especially severe in the Artibonite province and has spread to the capital Port-au-Prince. Thousands of people are reported to have died and thousands more have been infected. Cholera causes diarrhoea and vomiting and can be fatal if left untreated. Correct food hygiene and preparation are essential to minimise the risk of contracting cholera. We advise you to drink only bottled or boiled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw or undercooked food. Seek immediate medical advice if you suffer from diarrhoea.
The earthquake on 12 January 2010 caused severe damage to local hospitals and placed considerable strain on the provision of healthcare. There are shortages of medicine and other medical resources. There is inadequate public sanitation posing a risk of disease outbreaks.
On 10 August 2010, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced it has moved to a post-pandemic period in response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009. The virus is expected to remain as a seasonal influenza virus and local outbreaks may occur. For more information see the WHO website.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical facilities in Haiti are scarce and well below western standards. Private medical care is very expensive. Doctors and hospitals will require up-front cash payment before commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation (usually to Miami) would be required, costing in excess of $A25,000.
The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Haiti is high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection. You can find out more information at the World Health Organization website.
The mosquito-borne illnesses malaria, dengue fever and filariasis are common in Haiti throughout the year. We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including hepatitis, typhoid, rabies and leptospirosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Haiti. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Trinidad and Tobago:
Australian High Commission
18 Herbert Street
St. Clair, Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: (1 868) 822 5450
Facsimile: (1 868) 822 5490
Website
www.trinidadandtobago.highcommission.gov.au
Following the January 2010 earthquake, there has been widespread damage to telecommunications. Australians in need of consular assistance should contact the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago. If disruption to communication links prevents you from doing so, you should direct your enquiry through the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince, between numbers 75 and 71 Delmas Road, telephone: (509) 2 249 9000.
If you are travelling to Haiti, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend that you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Haiti is in an active earthquake zone and is subject to hurricanes. Emergency services in Haiti are ill equipped to cope with a major disaster. You should be prepared to evacuate at short notice in the event of a natural disaster and ensure your travel documentation remains up-to-date.
Earthquakes: On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred 22 kilometres west of the capital Port-au-Prince, causing many thousands of casualties. There remains damage to critical infrastructure, including health services, roads, telecommunications and other utilities. Shortages of basic necessities such as food, water and medical supplies may continue. The earthquake damaged public sanitation infrastructure and increased the risk of disease outbreaks.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, including the Caribbean. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure for more information on tsunamis.
Hurricanes: Hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services may occur. Monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
If you are travelling to Haiti during hurricane season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether services at your planned destination have been affected.
The direction and strength of hurricanes can change with little warning. You can check the latest hurricane information at the National Hurricane Center website.
In the event of an approaching hurricane, you should identify your local shelter. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The hurricane could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.
We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.