Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:514 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!compuserve.COM!76702.1202 From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Eritrea Message-ID: <940727192130_76702.1202_CHN78-1@CompuServe.COM> Sender: daemon@world.std.com (World Mail) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Wed, 27 Jul 1994 19:21:30 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 71 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Eritrea ============================================================ Eritrea - Consular Information Sheet July 26, 1994 Country Description: Eritrea is a poor but developing east African country. Formerly a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea became an independent country on May 24, 1993, following a 30-year long struggle for independence. Tourism facilities in Eritrea are very limited. Entry Requirements: A valid passport and a visa are required as well as evidence of yellow fever immunization. Airport visas are unavailable. For more information on entry requirements travellers may contact the Embassy of Eritrea, 910 17th St., N.W., Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20006. Telephone (202) 429-1991; fax (202) 424-9004. Travel between Ethiopia and Eritrea: Flights between Asmara, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, are heavily booked and advance reservations are recommended by the airlines. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Eritrea are extremely limited. Travelers must bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. Doctors and hospitals usually expect cash payment for services. Not all U.S. medical insurance is valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage and medical evacuation provisions has proved useful. Additional information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Street crime such as theft and robbery is on the increase, particularly in the city of Asmara. While travel throughout Eritrea is relatively safe, it is prudent to exercise normal safety precautions with regard to what valuables are carried and what environs are visited. The loss or theft abroad 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. Currency Regulations: The Government of Eritrea continues to use the Ethiopian birr. The current exchange rate is six birr to one U.S. dollar. Credit cards are not accepted in Eritrea. Foreigners must pay bills in U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-denomination travelers checks. 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 long jail sentences, fines and possible confiscation of personal property. Registration: U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Asmara can obtain updated information on travel and security in Eritrea. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located at 34 Zera Yacob St., P. O. Box 2ll, Asmara. The telephone is (291-1) 12-00-04; the Embassy fax number is (291-1) 12-75-84. No. 94-123 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 14, 1993, to add information on crime and travel and to change the U.S. Embassy's telephone and fax numbers.