Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:498 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!compuserve.COM!76702.1202 From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Haiti Message-ID: <940629134426_76702.1202_CHN5-1@CompuServe.COM> Sender: daemon@world.std.com (World Mail) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 13:44:26 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 145 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Haiti ============================================================ Haiti - Travel Warning June 28, 1994 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Haiti. On June 25, 1994, all commercial passenger air service between the U.S. and Haiti was suspended. The U.S. Embassy in Port au Prince is operating on a very limited basis. U.S. citizens in Haiti, who are not affiliated with international or U.S. sponsored humanitarian assistance and refugee processing programs, are urged to depart Haiti. All U.S. citizens in Haiti are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy. The political situation in Haiti remains unstable with potential throughout the country for random violence, sporadic disturbances and criminal acts. The police and judiciary are unable to provide adequate levels of security and due process. No. 94-027 This replaces the Travel Warning dated June 10, 1994 to reflect the suspension of commercial air passenger service. Haiti - Consular Information Sheet October 19, 1993 Warning: U.S. citizens are warned against all nonessential travel to Haiti because of political unrest. The political situation in Haiti remains unstable. The potential exists throughout the country for random violence, sporadic disturbances and criminal acts. The police and judiciary are unable to provide adequate levels of security and due process. U.S. citizen tourists and residents in Haiti are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy if they have not already done so. Country Description: Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Throughout the country, there are periodic shortages of goods and services, including electrical power, gasoline and diesel fuel, and propane. The United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) have reimposed economic sanctions against Haiti. Entry Requirements: U.S. citizens over the age of 18 can visit Haiti using evidence of citizenship and a document showing nationality which also bears a photo; however, application of this policy by Haitian officials is inconsistent. Most U.S. citizens avoid immigration problems by using a U.S. passport when entering and leaving Haiti. Children under the age of 18 must use a passport. Haiti also requires a departure tax of $25.00, payable in cash (U.S. dollars only.) For additional information concerning entry and customs requirements for Haiti, travelers can contact the Embassy of Haiti at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 332-4090 or the nearest consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Boston, New York, or San Juan. Areas of Instability: See paragraph one for warning information. Medical Facilities: Medical care is limited. Travelers to Haiti face the range of diseases normally found in a tropical country including malaria, typhoid, polio and dengue fever. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses a significant health risk and is prevalent in tourist areas. The level of community sanitation is low. Public water sources often contain impurities that can cause severe intestinal disorders. Food purchased on the street may also pose a health hazard. In larger cities there are usually restaurants with generally sanitary conditions. Bottled water and bottled drinks are usually safe. Medical facilities outside the capital are few, far between, and often 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 United States. In some instances, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Foreigners in Haiti are at risk from criminal attacks, particularly in urban areas, owing to their relative affluence. In recent months, crime has increased in Port au Prince and the situation in the provinces has become more tense. U.S. citizen 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 driver's licenses used as entry documents generally cannot be replaced outside of the United States. Without proof of identity and citizenship, obtaining a first-time U.S. passport in Haiti can be time-consuming. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" which provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Both this pamphlet and "Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean" are available >from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Currency Regulations: The Haitian government permits a free market exchange of U.S. dollars for gourdes, the Haitian monetary unit. Money can be exchanged at banks and exchange houses. Funds are regularly exchanged on the street although such exchange is technically illegal. Most prices in Haiti are quoted in Haitian dollars, where a dollar is used to mean five Haitian gourdes. Although some vendors accept U.S. dollars, it is to the traveler's advantage to use Haitian currency. There are no restrictions on the amount or type of currency that can be brought into or taken out of Haiti. Owing to the risk of theft, however, most travelers have found it safer to bring travelers checks or to arrange for electronic transfers of funds. Other Information: There is an economic embargo against Haiti imposed by the United Nations and the Organization of American States, including the United States, which limits trade with Haiti. For more information on the U.S. embargo regulations, contact the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220, tel. (202) 622-2480. 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. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens may register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy is located on Harry Truman Blvd., P.O. Box 1761, 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) 22-0200 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. 93-303 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 13, 1993 to include information on the warning to U.S. citizens to defer nonessential travel to Haiti and on the U.N. and OAS embargo against Haiti.