Traveling Luck for Afghanistan. Afghanistan, Asia

Terrorism/Security

You should be aware of the continuing high threat from terrorism within Afghanistan.  Threats, specific or otherwise, are reported on an almost daily basis and may, in some cases, lead the Embassy to limit staff movement to essential travel only.

We continue to receive reports which indicate specific terrorist threats against visibly British and Western institutions, organisations and individuals.  Threats also apply to those involved in work with the United Nations as well as those working in the humanitarian and reconstruction fields.  Future attacks throughout Afghanistan might include bombs, suicide bombs (either on foot or by vehicle), kidnapping and violent crime.

If you remain in Afghanistan, particularly outside Kabul, you should continue to reassess your position.  You should exercise the utmost care and vary your routines.  You should always ensure car doors are locked and windows closed, and if possible maintain radio or telephone communications to report your movements.  You should also remain constantly aware of the risks posed by the large amounts of unexploded ordnance and land mines throughout the country.

You should avoid regular visits to public places frequented by foreigners, including hotels, restaurants, shops and market places, especially at times of day when they are particularly busy and congested.  The British Embassy has currently placed certain less well protected restaurants off limits to staff.  We strongly recommend you to consult the warden network via the British Embassy for further information on the security of venues across Kabul and elsewhere before undertaking any travel.

If, despite this Travel Advice, you travel outside Kabul, you should only do so with reputable local guides and only to fully protected workplaces.  You should consider permanent armed protection.  You should be aware that even these precautions cannot guarantee your safety.  The threat from kidnapping throughout Afghanistan remains.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets including places frequented by foreigners.  Please read Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages on the FCO website for further information and advice.

Afghanistan NGO Security Offices (ANSO) issues regular security updates, which can be obtained from: data@afgnso.org.

In Kabul

We advise against all but essential travel to Kabul.  On 8 September 2006, a suicide car bombing in Kabul killed at least 16 people, including two US soldiers, and injured approximately 30 more.  On 4 July 2006, two IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) detonated in Kabul, killing two people and injuring another four. A further three IED attacks took place in the city on 5 July 2006.  Reports indicate one person died and around 40 people were injured in these explosions.  There continues to be a threat from vehicle-borne suicide bombers in Kabul and other urban areas.

Rioting broke out on 29 May 2006 in the Kabul’s Kher Khana, District 11 (Sarai Shamali Roundabout) after a US military vehicle lost control and collided with civilian vehicles. Authorities reported that the accident resulted in a number of casualties.  Further unrest occurred throughout Kabul in a series of violent protests targeting Western interests.  In early February 2006 there were demonstrations in Kabul and a number of towns across Afghanistan against the printing of cartoons in the Danish press.  We strongly recommend you avoid protests, demonstrations and large gatherings in the city, which can quickly become hostile.

There are regular indiscriminate rocket and bomb attacks and targeted attacks against NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) patrols.  On 26 September 2006, a bomb attack on an ISAF patrol killed an Italian soldier and injured a further five.  Reports continue to indicate that further attacks are likely, possibly by suicide bombers, against Western targets in central Kabul, along the Jalalabad Road and in the vicinity of Kabul airport.  Hotels and other guest houses where foreigners might stay will continue to be likely targets.  There have been a number of attacks against Kabul International Airport and further attacks cannot be ruled out.  You should exercise extreme caution if you intend to use the Jalalabad Road and you should avoid travelling at night if at all possible.

There is an ongoing threat of kidnap to foreign nationals in Kabul.  We strongly advise you to maintain a high level of vigilance and to seek professional security advice on adequate security arrangements.

Outside Kabul

We advise against all travel to the provinces of Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, Kandahar, Zabol, Paktika, Paktya, Khost, Ghazni, Nangahar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan.  You should only consider travelling to other provinces if you have strong commercial or professional reasons to do so.

There have been a number of serious attacks on both Western and Afghan NGOs and on vehicles belonging to them, in which a number of people have been killed or injured.  Most attacks continue to occur in the south and east of Afghanistan, but there have been sporadic but serious incidents in other regions such as Badghis, Kunduz and Jowzjan that have otherwise been considered comparatively secure.  The threat from kidnapping to employees of NGOs and foreign companies throughout Afghanistan remains.

North Afghanistan

Provinces covered in this section are Faryab, Jawzjan, Sari Pul, Balkh, Samangan, Kunduz, Badakshan, Talhar and Baghlan.

There have been a number of attacks against aid workers and military vehicles in Jawzjan, Mazar-e Sharif and Baghlan provinces resulting in fatalities and injuries.  In early October 2006, two German journalists were killed by unidentified attackers in Baghlan province.  You are advised to exercise extreme caution and to remain vigilant at all times, as Western civilians remain targets for insurgents and kidnapping gangs.

Eastern Afghanistan

Provinces covered in this section include Laghman, Khost Paktya, Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan.  We advise against all travel to these provinces.

There are ongoing military operations in this region.  There have been a number of reported attacks against the Afghan National Army and US-led coalition forces.  There are also regular reports of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and rocket attacks.  On 6 June 2006, two US soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack in Nangahar.

Southern Afghanistan

Provinces covered in this section include Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Zabul, Nimroz, Paktika and Ghazni.  We advise against all travel to these provinces. 

Southern Afghanistan is unpredictable and volatile.  There are ongoing military operations across the region and there have been a significant increase in the number of incidents, ranging from shootings to suicide bombings reported.  On 19 October 2006, a suicide attack on a UK military patrol in Lashkar Gah killed a UK soldier and two Afghan civilians.  On 26 September 2006, at least 18 Afghan civilians were killed in a suicide bombing in Lashkar Gah.

There has been a series of bomb attacks against both civilian and military targets in and around Kandahar.  On 16 October 2006, three Afghan civilians were killed and several wounded in a suicide car bomb attack against a NATO patrol in Kandahar.  ON 18 September 2006, four Canadian troops were killed and over 25 civilians injured in a suicide attack in Kandahar.

There remains a substantial threat from kidnapping in Southern Afghanistan.  On 20 November 2005, an Indian engineer was abducted and subsequently killed in Nimroz Province. 

Paktika has seen a number of missile, mortar and bomb attacks throughout the province as well as small arms attacks against Government compounds.

There has also been a series of attacks on the Kabul-Kandahar road in Zabul province.

Western Afghanistan

Provinces covered in this section include Farah, Badghis, Ghor and Herat.  There have been incidents of car bomb attacks, rocket attacks and kidnapping throughout these provinces.

On 18 September 2006, a suicide attack in Heart killed at least 10 people and injured a further 18.  On 13 May 2006, a suicide car bomb attack in the city resulted in the death of a US citizen.  On 12 May 2006, two NGO workers were killed and one seriously injured in a rocket attack on their vehicle while travelling between Badghis and Heart.  On 31 August 2005, a British national was abducted and subsequently murdered while working on an engineering project in Farah province.

Political Situation

Country Profile: Afghanistan

Road Safety

Most road surfaces are in a very poor condition.  The overall standard of driving is poor and most local drivers are uninsured.  Accidents may lead to a confrontation and threatening behaviour.

Air Safety

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has not assessed whether safety standards on Ariana Airlines comply with international aviation standards because there is no direct commercial air service between the UK and Afghanistan.  However, the Technical Co-operation Bureau of the International Civil Aviation Organisation carried out an assessment in 2003, which highlighted a number of safety concerns about Ariana Airlines.  British Government employees are advised to avoid using Ariana Airlines.

In February 2005, a Kam Air Boeing 727-200 flying from Herat to Kabul crashed in snowstorms 17 miles out of Kabul.  All 96 passengers and eight crew on board were killed in the incident.  British Government employees are advised to avoid using Kam Air.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.

Local laws reflect the fact that Afghanistan is a Muslim country.  You should respect local customs and sensitivities at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

Homosexuality is illegal.  You may not seek to convert Muslims to other faiths.  The importation and use of narcotics, alcohol and pork products are forbidden.

Photography of government buildings, military installations and palaces is not allowed.  You should avoid photographing local people without their agreement.

British nationals intending to visit Afghanistan must obtain a visa before travelling from Afghan representation in the UK.  Visas are not issued on arrival in the country.

Women travelling alone with children should be aware that documentary evidence of parental responsibility may be required in order to enter Afghanistan or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact Afghan representation in the UK.

In the event of a serious accident or illness an evacuation by air ambulance may be required.  It is therefore essential that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see the Travel Insurance page of the FCO website.

Only very limited medical facilities are available.  You should also ensure that you have all the prescription medication you require during your visit, as supplies of them are unlikely to be available locally.

Diarrhoeal diseases and other gastrointestinal infections are common causes of ill health, becoming worse in the hotter months.  The dry dusty conditions in both summer and winter can cause irritation to eyes, throat, nose and skin.  Respiratory tuberculosis is common in the Afghan population.  Malaria is a potential hazard except in the high mountainous regions of the country and in winter.

Malaria is a potential hazard except in the high mountainous regions of the country and in winter.  More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets.  However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country.  Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Afghanistan.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website:  www.dh.gov.uk.

Avian Influenza

On 20 March 2006 the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed reports of 13 outbreaks of HN51 Avian Influenza (bird flu) across five provinces of Afghanistan (Nangahar, Kabul, Laghman, Vardak and Kunar.)  The authorities are taking measures to control the disease, including restricting livestock movement in affected areas.  No human infections have been reported.

The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low, provided you avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds.  You should also ensure that poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed advice and information.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see the What We Can Do To Help page of the FCO website.

You should ensure that you carry sufficient cash, in US Dollars, for your visit because credit cards are not accepted and there is only one cashpoint machine in Afghanistan (which dispenses money in Afghanis).  Visa branded credit and debit cards can be used at the ATM inside the Standard Chartered Bank in Kabul (Street 10, WazirAkbar Khan), between 0830 and 1900 every day.  Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted and where they are, it can take up to two weeks for them to clear.

You should register with the British Embassy in Kabul (britishembassy.kabul@fco.gov.uk).  You should be aware that the British Embassy in Kabul is able to provide only limited consular assistance.  The Embassy does not issue passports, though in an emergency, a single page/single journey travel document can be provided.  You should make sure you have plenty of spare pages in your passport, as it will fill up with visas and entry stamps very quickly.  Replacement passports can be issued by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), or the British High Commission in Islamabad.  Please ensure at least three and a half weeks for the application process.  The Embassy in Kabul does not issue visas.  Visa applications should be made through our missions in Dubai, New Delhi or through Gerry’s/Fedex bureaus in Pakistan.  Before applying please contact the Embassy in Kabul for information on restrictions affecting visa applications made in these countries.