From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Haiti Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 1 May 1996 12:59:04 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1042 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960501125904_76702.1202_CHN46-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 103 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Haiti ============================================================ Haiti - Consular Information Sheet December 5, 1995 Country Description: Haiti is one of the economically least developed countries in the western hemisphere. There are shortages of goods and services in the countryside, although that is not the case in Port Au Prince. Entry Requirements: A passport is required for travel to Haiti. Although travel agencies and Haitian consuates in the U.S. often inform travelers that a birth certificate or voter registration card is sufficient documentation, Haitian immigration officials in Haiti are increasingly requiring a valid passport to enter. The airlines that provide service between Haiti and the U.S. will not board American citizens to return to the U.S. without a valid passport, due to concerns about possible fraud. For additional information regarding entry, tax, and customs requirements for Haiti, contact the Haitian Embassy at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008 (Tel: 202-322-4090) or Haitian consulates in Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois or Puerto Rico. Medical Facilites: Medical care is limited and the level of community sanitation is low. Medical facilities outside the capital are few, far between, and almost always below U.S. standards. None of the medical facilities in Haiti have the equipment and expertise to which U.S. citizens may be accustomed, and life-threatening emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's expense. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the U.S. In some instances, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Although crime remains a problem in Port au Prince and the provinces, there have been few reported incidents involving U.S. citizens. Owing to their relative affluence, foreigners in Haiti are at risk from violent criminal attacks, particularly in urban areas. Overall, the level of crime approximates that which exists in larger cities in the U.S. Crime victims are often frustrated by the lack of response and enforcement capabilities of the local police and judiciary. The loss or theft of a passport overseas should be reported to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Lost or stolen U.S. birth certificates and/or drivers licenses used as entry documents generally cannot be replaced outside the U.S. Areas of Instability: Haiti has experienced occasional civil unrest, including unofficial roadblocks in larger towns in all regions of the country. U.S. citizens have not been targeted in any demonstration-related incidents, but travelers are urged to use common sense in avoiding large crowds, which have been known to turn violent. There is also the potential for increased tensions with Haiti experiencing its first presidential election process and presidential inauguration since the return of President Aristide. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Criminal penalties for possession, use and dealing in illegal drugs are strict. Those accused of drug-related crimes can expect lengthy legal proceedings, irregular application of Haitian law, and delayed due process. If convicted, offenders may face long jail sentences and substantial fines. Aviation Oversight: As a result of an assessment conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in February 1995, the FAA has found the government of Haiti's Civil Aviation Authority to not be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Haitian air carrier operations. Operations to the U.S. by Haitian air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1 800 322-7873. Embassy Location/Registration: All U.S. citizens in Haiti should register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy is located on Harry Truman Blvd., Port au Prince; telephone (509) 22-0200, 22-0354, 22-0368 or 22-0612; fax (509) 23-1641. The Consular Section is located on Rue Oswald Durand, Port au Prince; telephone (509) 23-7011 or 23-8971; consular annex fax (509) 23-9665. U.S. citizens may obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy on travel and security within Haiti. No. 95-156 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 8, 1995, to add paragraphs on Entry Requirements and Areas of Instability. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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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