From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Cameroon Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 17:17:30 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1838 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199807241321_MC2-5414-4B24@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Lines: 116 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Cameroon ============================================================ Cameroon - Consular Information Sheet May 7, 1998 Country Description: Cameroon is a developing African country. Facilities for tourism are limited. Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required. Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon, 2349 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 265-8790 or (202) 265-8794. Overseas, inquiries should be made to the nearest Cameroonian embassy or consulate. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are limited. Sanitation levels in even the best hospitals are low. Not all medicines are available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical service outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful. For additional health information, travelers may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228 or the toll-free CDC autofax at 1-888-232-3299 or via their Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Armed banditry is a serious problem throughout the country, including tourist areas in Cameroon's far north province and in all major cities. To curb banditry, security personnel may request persons to show their passport, residence card, driver's license and/or vehicle registration at random security checkpoints. There has been a marked increase in street and residential crime. Carjackings and burglaries are on the rise also, particularly in Yaounde and Douala. The U.S. Embassy advises travelers to follow routine security precautions such as locking cars, hotel and house doors at all times and remaining aware of the surroundings and any suspicious-looking persons when exiting cars or buildings. Traveling after dark is particularly risky and should be avoided when possible. Tourists and business people should note that there is an increasing circulation of counterfeit U.S. and Cameroonian currency in the country. Business travelers have also experienced increased difficulty in obtaining adequate service or security of funds in Cameroon's banking sector in recent years. Business travelers are also advised that using the services of a local agent is a strongly recommended first step in establishing a presence in the Cameroonian market. Caution is required in pursuing joint ventures and licensing arrangements in Cameroon as the investment climate presents enduring high-risk factors. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Road Safety: Traveling at night in isolated areas of major cities is dangerous. Persons traveling outside major towns are at extreme risk from armed banditry. Travel at night on rural highways in the far north province is particularly dangerous; this is due to bandits, as well as large logging trucks and buses traveling at high speed. Aviation Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Cameroon, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Cameroon civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Photography Restrictions: While photography is not officially forbidden, security officials are sensitive about photographs taken of government buildings and military installations, many of which are unmarked. Photography of these subjects may result in seizure of photographic equipment by authorities. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration and Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde on rue Nachtigal or with the Embassy office in Douala and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Cameroon. The mailing address for the U.S. Embassy is B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon. The telephone number is (237) 23-40-14, and the fax number is (237) 23-07-53. The Embassy office in Douala can be contacted at (237) 42-53-31, fax number is (237) 42-77-90. No. 98-52 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 8, 1997, to update the paragraph on information on crime and to include a paragraph on aviation oversight. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. 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