Travel Report for Sierra Leone

Country Profile for
Sierra Leone

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: August 28, 2006 16:33 EDT
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 21:59 EST

Sierra Leone

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. A minor editorial change has been done in section 13.

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2. ATTENTION

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below. (IDW5)

You are advised against all travel to the border area with Liberia and Guinea. Canadians should exercise caution when travelling in Sierra Leone and avoid travelling after dark. You should use extreme caution if travelling to the city center of Freetown. Crime, including theft, remains a problem. Local police may not be able to assist you. Demonstrations should be avoided. Canadians should check with local authorities for the latest information.

Canadians in

Sierra Leone

should contact the Embassy of Canada in Abidjan,

Côte d'Ivoire

(see below), for the latest security information. The ability of the Embassy of Canada in Abidjan to render assistance in

Sierra Leone

is severely limited.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians who choose to travel to the region(s) specified despite this warning should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting other areas of the country for three months or more should also register. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The country is still recovering from the 1991-2001 civil war, which resulted in massive destruction of infrastructure.

Crime is prevalent in Freetown and living conditions are poor. Carry identification and vehicle documentation. Armed robberies and residential burglaries can occur. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching is common.

Do not leave valuables unattended in a vehicle. Travel documents and valuables should be kept in safe-keeping facilities.

You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings because they could turn violent.

Local police may not be able to assist you in case of need, especially in rural areas.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Roads are potholed, especially during the wet season (May to November), and lack lighting. Public transportation (bus or group taxis) is unsafe and not recommended. You should not travel after dark, when security risks are higher. Difficulties may be encountered at roadblocks and checkpoints, including requests for payments.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

SN Brussels Airline, Ghana Airways and Sierra Leone National Airlines operate flights into Lungi airport from London, U.K. There are regional flights to Banjul, Lagos, Conakry, Abidjan, and Monrovia. All flights are reasonably reliable.

Since January 2004, there is both a Hovercraft service and a Pan African helicopter service from the airport to the mainland.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The rainy season extends from May to November. Some roads become impassable during the rainy season. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Dual nationality is not legally recognized, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times.

The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

A licence issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources is required to export precious minerals, such as diamonds and gold. There are heavy penalties for smuggling.

Homosexual activity is illegal.

Taking photographs of airports, government installations, official buildings, and bridges is prohibited, and laws are strictly enforced. These areas may not be clearly marked or defined. If in doubt, do not take pictures.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

There is no resident Canadian government office in Sierra Leone. You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:

Côte d'Ivoire - ABIDJAN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Immeuble Trade Centre, 23 avenue Nogues, Le Plateau, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Postal Address: P.O. Box 4104, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
Tel.: 225 20.30.07.00
Fax: 225 20.30.07.20
E-mail: abdjn@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.abidjan.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Abidjan,

Côte d'Ivoire

, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Sierra Leone. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is may be required of travellers arriving from infected areas.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Sierra Leone, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

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9. MONEY

The economy is cash-based. The currency is the leone (LE). You should exchange foreign currency at banks and official exchange offices. Traveller's cheques are not widely accepted. A Western Union office offers money transfers. Credit cards are not accepted.

There have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from western Africa, including Sierra Leone. Please refer to the "For more information" section in this report for further details.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Sierra Leone (capital: Freetown) is located in western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Guinea, and Liberia. Tourist facilities are extremely limited and telecommunications are unreliable. The official language is English, but it is not widely understood. An English-based dialect, Krio, is widely used.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities and supplies are extremely limited. You should bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labelled. Also, we recommend that you carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

There have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from western Africa, including Sierra Leone. Any unsolicited business proposal should be carefully scrutinized. Usually, the con man sends an e-mail, or letter, offering a substantial percentage of a large sum of money to be transferred into your account in return for your "discretion" or "confidentiality." These messages often claim that the soliciting party has personal ties to senior officials. You, as the bank account owner, are promised a percentage of the huge sum, just for allowing the use of your account. You may be asked to provide blank, signed invoices, letterhead, and bank account information, or to send money for transfer taxes. Some businesses have found their accounts looted by the persons to whom they sent account information.

Should you receive such an e-mail or letter, please contact one of the organizations listed below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

International Trade Canada
Africa and Middle East Trade Division
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2

Ask for the Commercial Officer responsible for the Republic of Sierra Leone at (613) 944-4000. If you already have a contact name, you can also fax your request at (613) 996-9709.

High Commission for the Republic of Sierra Leone
1701-19th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
20009, U.S.A.
Tel.: 202-939-9261
Fax: 202-483-1793.

Criminal Operations Branch
Economic Crime Directorate
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1200 Vanier Parkway
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0R2
Tel.: 613-998-6050 or 613-998-6069
Fax: 613-993-4299

PhoneBusters National Call Centre
P.O. Box 686
North Bay, ON
P1B 8J8
Tel.: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-495-8501
Fax: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-494-4008
Website: www.phonebusters.com

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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