On February 9, 2010, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning :

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the situation in Haiti in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake, measuring 7.0 magnitude, that struck Haiti near Port-au-Prince on January 12.  The Department of State has ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Haiti.

U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid travel to Haiti.  The January 12 earthquake caused significant damage to key infrastructure, and access to basic services is extremely limited.  Additional aftershocks remain a possibility.  All forms of communication within Haiti are limited.  The country is experiencing a severe shortage of food, water, transportation, and adequate shelter.  All commercial airline carriers have suspended their operations until further notice.  Medical facilities are operating beyond maximum capacity, and the lack of adequate sanitation poses serious health risks.  Despite good intentions, travelers may increase the burden on a system already struggling to support those in need on the ground.  In addition, the Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services is limited. 

For Travelers in an Earthquake Area: Please follow instruction on FEMA's web page about "What to do After an Earthquake"  The most important things are to listen to the radio and to only place phone calls in the event of an emergency, since call volumes are very high during these times.  

For Family Members: The U.S. State Department Operations Center is advising Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti to call 1-888-407-4747. Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. "Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time."   

You can also follow the U.S. State Department's latest Tweets for up-to-date information: http://twitter.com/dipnote

Click here for new Emergency Information Service (EIS)-- a free assistance to survivors of the Haiti earthquake and their family members around the world with updated information. Jan. 22, 2010

Live: Haiti earthquake - latest updates Jan. 20, 2010
... Haiti and has placed 12000 more on alert for possible deployment. In addition, members of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will travel ...

U.S. starts aid airdrops into Haiti January 19, 2010
The US military begins airdrops of food and water into Haiti, as aid efforts gather pace a week after the devastating earthquake. Some 14,000 ready-to-eat meals and 15,000 litres of water were dropped north-east of the capital, Port-au-Prince, the US said.

Beware of bogus online ‘help’ for Haiti

Americas - Haiti (1/14/2010): The urge to help — and to give money — is powerful following a devastating event like Haiti's earthquake, and one of the easiest ways to do it is online. It's also one of the easiest ways to get scammed if you're not sure what you're doing or who you're dealing with. More. . . 

Security fears in quake-hit Haiti January 16, 2010
Security concerns rise in Haiti's capital as distribution problems continue to hamper the supply of aid to desperate quake survivors. Days after the quake devastated Port-au-Prince, killing tens of thousands, there are some reports of gangs preying on residents and looting. Officials say thousands of prisoners are unaccounted for after the main prison was destroyed. Relief has been arriving, but little has moved beyond the jammed airport. More. . .

The U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert on January 13, 2010:

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the situation in Haiti and urges them to avoid travel to Haiti in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.  An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near Port Au Prince, followed by multiple aftershocks. The U.S. Embassy is working to ascertain the extent of the damage and check on the status of U.S. citizens around the island. This Travel Alert expires on March 13, 2010.
 
There are reports of extensive damage, and communications remain extremely difficult. Additional aftershocks remain a possibility.  A Tsunami Watch for Haiti and neighboring islands issued by the Pacific Tsunami Alert Center has expired.  

U.S. citizens in Haiti should remain in shelter. If exposed when an aftershock hits, take steps to avoid falling debris by getting to as open a space as possible, away from walls, windows, buildings and other structures.  If indoors, take shelter under a heavy table or desk, or in a doorway.  Avoid damaged buildings, and obey all instructions from local authorities.  Do not use matches, lighters, candles or other flame in case of disrupted gas lines.  Avoid downed power lines. 

If possible, U.S. citizens in Haiti should contact friends and relatives outside of Haiti to inform them of their welfare.

The U.S. Embassy in Port Au Prince has set up a task force at the Embassy which is taking calls as conditions permit.  The Embassy is working to identify U.S. citizens in Haiti who need urgent assistance and to identify sources of emergency help.  

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On July 14, 2009, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning:

Haiti, like most Caribbean countries, can be affected by hurricanes and other storms.  Hurricane season runs from approximately June 1 - November 30 each year.  The lack of government infrastructure and rescue services, combined with impassable roads and bridges, have severely hindered rescue and relief efforts.  During the 2008 hurricane season, four tropical storms struck Haiti, causing torrential rains, extensive flooding and mudslides, and hundreds of reported casualties.  Most transport infrastructure damaged by the 2008 storms has been repaired, although in many cases repairs are temporary pending the construction of more permanent structures.  Haiti has few secondary roads that are in good condition.  Drivers traveling on Haiti's roads must be aware that there will be frequent deviations, stoppages and obstructions due to ongoing road construction and repairs. For additional details concerning traffic safety and road conditions, please see the Department of State's Country Specific Information for Haiti. 

There were violent confrontations between opposing candidates' supporters and armed attacks on polling stations in a handful of Haitian towns during the April 19, 2009, Senate elections.  There was less violence in the second round of voting on June 21.  International monitors described the elections as generally well-organized and orderly.  The absence of an effective police force in many areas of Haiti means that, when protests take place, there is potential for looting, the erection of intermittent roadblocks by armed protestors or by the police, and the possibility of random crime, including kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion, armed robbery and assault.  Although the Haitian National Police are more visible and are gradually contributing to improving public security, especially in the metropolitan area of the capital, Americans in Haiti should practice good personal security, take commonsense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful occasionally turn violent.  Americans should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website at: http://haiti.usembassy.gov/warden_information.html.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti despite this warning are reminded that there also is a chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings.  Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender, or age.  The incidence of kidnapping in Haiti has diminished from its peak in 2006 when 60 Americans were reported kidnapped.  As of July 2009, one American had been reported kidnapped this year.  In 2008, 27 Americans were reported kidnapped. Most of the Americans were abducted in Haiti's two largest cities, Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien.  Some kidnap victims have been killed, shot, sexually assaulted, or physically abused.  While the capacity and capabilities of the Haitian National Police have improved since 2006, the presence of UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) peacekeeping troops and UN-formed police units remain critical to maintaining an adequate level of security throughout the country.  The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve crime, further compounds the security threat to American citizens.

While MINUSTAH remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security, travel is always hazardous within Port-au-Prince.  U.S. Embassy personnel are under an Embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew.  Some areas are off-limits to Embassy staff after dark, including downtown Port-au-Prince.  The Embassy restricts travel by its staff to some areas outside of Port-au-Prince because of the prevailing road, weather, or security conditions.  This may constrain our ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Port-au-Prince.  Demonstrations and violence may occasionally limit Embassy operations to emergency services, even within Port-au-Prince.

The Department of State strongly advises U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince.  The Consular Section can be reached at (509) (2)229-8000 or e-mail address acspap@state.gov. Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Country Specific Information for Haiti and the Worldwide Caution at http://travel.state.gov.  American citizens also may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States.

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On January 28, 2009, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning

The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Haiti and recommends deferring non-essential travel until further notice.  This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated April 30, 2008, and is being issued to remind American citizens of the destructive impact of a series of hurricanes in 2008, to provide updated information on country conditions, and to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns.  Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly consider the risks before traveling to Haiti and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety if traveling to Haiti.

During the 2008 hurricane season, four tropical storms struck Haiti, which resulted in torrential rains, extensive flooding and mudslides, and hundreds of reported casualties.  The lack of governmental infrastructure and rescue services combined with impassable roads and bridges severely hindered rescue and relief efforts.  In late August and September 2008, heavy rains and gale-force winds from hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike pelted the country's coastline and interior causing heavy flooding and mudslides.  In the aftermath of the storms, eight of the country's nine departments reported significant physical and economic devastation.  The storm damage came on the heels of the civil unrest in April 2008.  Conditions in Haiti may occasionally limit Embassy assistance to American citizens to emergency services.

 In early April 2008, there were violent demonstrations, looting, transportation disruptions, and as many as seven reported deaths in Les Cayes and Port-au-Prince.  Some American citizens were temporarily stranded in isolated locations and could not safely travel until calm was restored.  The absence of an effective police force in many areas of Haiti means that, when protests take place, there is potential for looting, the erection of intermittent roadblocks set by armed protestors or by the police, and an increased possibility of random crime, including kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion, armed robbery and assault.  Americans in Haiti should practice good personal security, take commonsense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn violent.  Americans should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website at: http://haiti.usembassy.gov/warden_information.html.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti despite this warning are reminded that there also is a chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings.  Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender, or age.  As of January 2009, 25 Americans were reported kidnapped in 2008.  Most of the Americans were abducted in Port-au-Prince.  Some kidnap victims have been killed, shot, sexually assaulted, or brutally abused.  The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve kidnapping cases, further compounds the element of danger surrounding this trend.  

Travel is always hazardous within Port-au-Prince.  U.S. Embassy personnel are under an Embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew.  Some areas are off-limits to Embassy staff after dark, including downtown Port-au-Prince. The Embassy restricts travel by its staff to some areas outside of Port-au-Prince because of the prevailing road and security conditions.  This may constrain our ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince.  Demonstrations and violence may occasionally limit Embassy operations to emergency services, even within Port-au-Prince.  The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security.

For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
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877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316

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On August 31, 2007, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning :

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Haiti, including frequent kidnappings of Americans for ransom. Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly consider the risks before travel to Haiti, and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety if traveling to Haiti. This Travel Warning reinstates and updates the Travel Warning issued January 10, 2007.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti are reminded that there is a chronic and growing danger of kidnappings.  Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender or age; all are vulnerable.  Over 60 Americans were kidnapped in 2006, most in Port-au-Prince. Many abductions are the result of carjacking or home invasions.  Past kidnappings have been marked by deaths, sexual assault, shooting and physical assault of Americans.  The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve kidnapping cases, further compounds the element of danger surrounding this trend.

For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316

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 U.S. citizens are also reminded of the potential for spontaneous protests and public demonstrations that can occur at any time, day or night, and may result in violence.  While the nation-wide elections for municipal and other local positions on December 3rd, 2006, were conducted peacefully, political violence can occur at any time.  American citizens are advised to take commonsense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.  Visitors and residents must remain vigilant due to the absence of an effective police force in much of Haiti; the potential for looting; the presence of intermittent roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police; and the possibility of random violent crime, including carjacking and assault. 

Travel can be hazardous within Port-au-Prince.  Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff, including downtown Port-au-Prince after dark.  U.S. Embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew.  The embassy has limited travel by its staff outside of Port-au-Prince and therefore its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is constrained.  The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security. 

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Due to the current security situation in Haiti, the Department of State reminds U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security; they are strongly advised to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince.  The Consular Section can be reached at (509) 223-7011, fax number (509) 223-9665, or e-mail address acspap@state.gov.  Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Haiti and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.  American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas.  In Haiti citizens can call 509/222-0200, ext. 2000.