smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Haiti
| Haiti overall | This Advice is current for Monday, 15 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Where to Get Help (Australians in need of consular assistance). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Haiti at this time because of ongoing political instability, lawlessness and high levels of serious crime. 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 is volatile and unpredictable. Acts of politically-motivated violence occur frequently and civil disorder is widespread. Local authorities, including the police, often have limited or no capacity to control the situation 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.
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.
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.
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.
Foreigners taking photographs are often regarded with suspicion and have been assaulted, particularly in remote areas.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Haiti is subject to 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. A state of emergency has now been declared. There has been widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including health services, roads, telecommunications and other utilities. There are severe shortages of basic necessities such as food, water and medical supplies. There is a high risk of disease outbreaks. Several aftershocks have occurred and there may be more.
The security situation is unstable and violence in Port-au-Prince appears to be increasing. There have been reports of looting and civil unrest. You should take precautions to ensure your personal security and safeguard personal property, particularly at night.
Australians in Haiti should follow the instructions of local authorities and consider leaving as soon as possible unless they have a compelling reason to stay. Australians considering going to Haiti should carefully evaluate their need to travel to Haiti at this time.
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, picture 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.
Emergency services in Haiti are ill equipped to cope with a major disaster.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
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.
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 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.
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents 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.
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.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians 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 laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
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.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
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.
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 +1 868 628 0695
Facsimile +1 868 622 0659
Website www.trinidadandtobago.highcommission.gov.au
Following the 12 January earthquake there has been widespread damage to telecommunication sources. 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.
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.
While 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.
