Traveling Luck for Haiti. Haiti, North America

Crime

Kidnapping for ransom money is increasingly common, along with random shootings of civilians, with robbery usually being the motive.  Four foreign nationals were kidnapped in three separate incidents in December 2005.

Foreigners are at risk from violence.  There have been a number of attacks on the vehicles of aid agencies and diplomatic staff.  The French Honorary Consul in Cap Haitian was shot dead on 31 May 2005 after being caught in the crossfire of gang violence.

Crime is widespread and often violent.  Pickpockets and theft of valuables are commonplace.  You are advised not to walk in the streets during the day and especially at night, not to leave property in vehicles and always to travel with doors locked and windows up.  Armed hold-ups of vehicles take place, even in daylight, in busy parts of Port-au-Prince.

Some areas of Port-au-Prince should be avoided at all times such as Cite Soleil.  You should avoid going out after dark in the capital and do not travel outside the city during the hours of darkness.

Security guards are recommended for long-term foreign residents.

Political Situation

Haiti Country Profile

Following the resignation of President Aristide on 29 February 2004, a Multination Interim Force (MIF), authorised by the UN Security Council, was deployed in Haiti to restore order after months of considerable turmoil and violence.  On 1 June 2004, the MIF was replaced by a UN Stabilisation Force and a transitional government was put in place between 2004 and May 2006.

On 7 February 2006, elections for a new government took place, and on 17 February 2006 the Provisional Electoral Council declared Rene Preval the winner with 51.15% of the vote.  He was inaugurated on 14 May 2006.  The elections themselves were conducted peacefully, but there were outbreaks of violence following the election, due mainly to the time taken for the Provisional Electoral Commission publicly to announce the result.  The disturbances linked to the elections have since died down, but kidnappings, shootings and petty crime may occur anywhere and at any time. You are advised to remain highly vigilant and avoid all demonstrations and civil disturbances.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to Haiti, because of the deteriorating general security situation and the increasing threat to personal security, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where even the main airport road is proving vulnerable.

Because of the unpredictable nature of the kidnap attempts, you are strongly advised to use a reliable guide when travelling in the country.  Avoid using public transport.  You should only use rented cars with a local driver from a reliable agency (Dynamic Car Rentals, Budget, etc).  Internal flights between the capital and some major provincial towns are available.

Road Safety

The standard of both roads and driving is very poor in Haiti.  Many of the tarmac roads are in a state of disrepair whilst other roads, particularly in the countryside are little more than dirt tracks.  Roads are often unlit and it is not uncommon after dark to encounter cars, trucks or motorcycles driving without lights.  Drivers pay little regard to the laws of the road and you should drive therefore drive with extreme caution at all times.  Standards of car maintenance are also low.

A UK driving licence is only valid for two months in Haiti.

You are strongly advised not to become involved with illegal drugs of any kind.  If you are caught in possession of drugs or suspected of drug trafficking, you may be arrested and jailed for weeks or months before appearing before a magistrate.  Pack all luggage yourself and do not be tempted to carry any items through customs for anyone else.

Homosexuality is tolerated but is not generally accepted.

British passport holders do not require a visa to visit Haiti for periods of up to 90 days.  For up-to-date advice, visitors are advised to contact the Haitian Embassy in Paris at Rue Théodule Ribot 10, 75827 Paris, France (telephone:  +33 01 47634778) before travelling.

Passports must have at least six months validity remaining.

You will be issued with a card on arrival at the airport, which you must keep and surrender to Immigration on departure.  Departing tourists are currently required to pay 35 American dollars in departure taxes.  However, the Haitian authorities may change departure tax requirements without warning, so it is advisable to have some spare American Dollars and a little local currency available on departure.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance

Medical facilities are very limited and offer a poor standard of care. You should bring adequate supplies of essential medicines, especially for specific medical conditions such as diabetes, etc.

You should be aware of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS; Haiti is the most affected country in the world outside Sub-Saharan Africa.

In November 2005, there were outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever in Port au Prince and the Cotes des Arcadins area.  Dengue fever is contracted from daytime biting mosquitos, which are common throughout Haiti.  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 Haiti.

Parasitic infections, other intestinal problems and hepatitis are also common.

You should drink only treated or bottled water and only use ice if you are sure it was made with drinkable water.

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 at www.dh.gov.uk

NATURAL DISASTERS

The hurricane season in Haiti normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  You can also access the National Hurricane Centre at: World Meteorological Organisation for updates.  Please also see Hurricanes for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

There have been several hurricanes in recent decades causing loss of life, major damage and severe flooding.  You can access the National Hurricane Centre for information.  Please also see Hurricanes.  If you are staying in Haiti when a hurricane occurs you should listen to information given on the television/radio stations and follow the advice of hosts or hotel management.

Emergency services are ill equipped to cope with a major disaster.  Should a hurricane strike Haiti, basic services -transport and communications - could be severely disrupted.

The Caribbean plate runs off the north coast of Haiti and slight earth tremors occur occasionally.  There have been no major earthquakes in recent times.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help.

There is no British Embassy in Haiti and public operations at the British Consulate office in Port-au-Prince have been suspended since July 2005, due to the security situation.  Visa and consular enquiries should be directed to the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic - details below.

Telephone and e-mail communications in Haiti are sparse and erratic.

You should always carry proof of your identity.  Keep a copy of the photopage of your passport and relevant visa stamp in case your documents are stolen.

You can exchange American Dollars cash or travellers' cheques for local currency in commercial banks.  Other foreign currencies cannot normally be exchanged.  Some hotels and shops accept payment in American Dollars.  Most credit cards may be used in major hotels, and in some shops and businesses in the capital.  You are advised not to change money on the street.