Travel Report for Chad

Country Profile for
Chad

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: December 1, 2006 11:28 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:03 EST

Chad

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 changed. Section 2 has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to this country. Canadians in this country should leave. (IDW1)

You are advised against all travel to Chad, including the capital N'Djamena where the situation is very unstable and could deteriorate very rapidly without prior warning. Canadians currently in Chad should leave. Those who would like to depart and are unable to do so should contact the Consulate of Canada in N'Djamena (see section 7 below).

Canadians who choose to stay in Chad should maintain a high level of personal security awareness. Travellers with Thuraya satellite phones should register the phones with the Chadian authorities. Carry all necessary travel documents, including valid passports and visas, at all times. Monitor local news, avoid large crowds and demonstrations where political violence may occur and follow the advice of local authorities.

Outside N’Djamena, telecommunication systems are very unreliable. If travel outside N'Djamena is unavoidable despite the Official Warning, a permit issued by the Ministry of Interior is required. The permit may take several days to be issued. As incidents of road banditry and car-jacking involving violence are frequent, Canadians are encouraged to travel in groups.

A state of emergency has been declared in the East, where clashes have recently increased in frequency. The state of emergency has also been extended to other regions at risk of violence and insecurity.

Since mid-October 2006, there has been a resurgence of confrontations between the army and rebel groups. Such confrontations have mostly taken place in the East and the tri-border area with Sudan and the Central African Republic, but troops have also been deployed in and outside N’Djamena. Civil unrest and violent fighting can occur throughout the country, including in N’Djamena.

Although the border between Chad and Sudan was reopened on August 8, 2006, you are advised against all travel to the Chad-Sudan border areas, where rebel groups are active and create an extremely insecure situation. Recent incidents have been reported in many of those areas. The humanitarian situation in eastern Chad (including the regions of Biltine and Ouaddaï) is serious, given the ongoing potential for transborder clashes and the presence of hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees who have fled the conflict in Darfur. Targeted attacks on humanitarian workers by bandits and armed militias have increased, and the Government is promising an increase in national army patrols in this region. You should exercise extreme caution in and around the city of Abeche, where violent incidents have been reported. UNHCR recommends traveling in convoys of at least two vehicles and avoiding all movements in the region after 6:00 p.m.

In northern Chad (especially in the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti region), the rebellion continues intermittently and the presence of landmines has been reported. Attempting to cross the Libyan border would be hazardous. In western Chad, contraband from Cameroon is frequently smuggled across the Chari River, which can result in armed intervention by Chadian customs and river police. Rural areas around Lake Chad are also subject to periodic violence.

Other areas of concern include the tri-border area of southern and southeastern Chad with the Central African Republic and Sudan, where there are live minefields and significant rebel activities. Crossing the border anywhere in this area is extremely dangerous.

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 this country despite this warning should register with the responsible Canadian government office. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Pickpockets and purse snatchers are active in market and commercial areas. Do not show signs of affluence and leave valuables and personal belongings, including cash, passports, and airline tickets, in a hotel safe or other secure place. Dress conservatively and avoid walking alone, especially after dark. Burglary and vehicle theft increase during periods of political instability. Banditry is common. Foreigners are increasingly targeted, particularly at night.

It is recommended to carry certified true photocopies of passports, visas, and other needed travel documents at all times.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Road conditions are poor and dangerous. Roads are poorly maintained and mostly unpaved, even in N’Djamena. Streets are poorly lit and road signs are often missing. Excessive speeds, erratic driving habits, lack of vehicle maintenance, roaming wildlife and livestock, cyclists, and pedestrians pose risks. Emergency services do not exist. Fuel is not always available in major cities and very scarce in rural areas. You should travel in convoy, during daylight hours only and carry additional fuel, a spare tire and provisions. Keep windows closed and doors locked at all times. You should stop and cooperate at all police or military roadblocks. Proper identification should be readily available.

There is no operational train or bus network in

Chad

. Trucks and minibuses are not properly maintained and are often dangerous. They are not recommended for any intercity travel.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The rainy season in the south lasts from May to October; the rains in central

Chad

occur from June to September. Many roads become impassable during the rainy season. The north receives little rain. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly, as rain barriers are closed during rainstorms and for three hours afterwards.

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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 Chadian/Canadian citizens should be aware that they will be treated as Chadian if arrested, and access to a Canadian consular official may be extremely difficult.

The majority of the population is Muslim. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.

Criminal convictions for possession or trafficking of drugs can result in strict penalties and often lengthy prison sentences. Persons violating

Chad

's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Convicted offenders may expect jail sentences and fines.

Homosexuality is not widely accepted.

You are required to have a government permit for all photography. It is prohibited to photograph airports, military establishments, and government buildings. Film and cameras may be confiscated without notice.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Chad - N'DJAMENA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Rue 5041, Porte 964, Quartier Moursal, N'Djamena, Chad
Postal Address: P.O. Box 6013, N'Djamena, Chad
Tel.: 235 53 42 80
After hours tel.: 235 27 30 27
E-mail: nigel.whiteho@intnet.td, honconca@intnet.td

The High Commission of Canada in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has consular responsibility for Chad. The address is as follows:

Cameroon - YAOUNDÉ, High Commission of Canada
Address: Immeuble Stamatiades, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Postal Address: P.O. Box 572, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Tel.: 237 223-2311
Fax: 237 222-1090
E-mail: yunde@international.gc.ca
Internet: www.yaounde.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate of Canada in N'Djamena, Chad or the High Commission of Canada in Yaoundé, Cameroon. You may also make a call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Chadian authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on August 4, 2006. However, these requirements are subject to change.

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.

Foreign Affairs

Canada

’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Chad, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Chad. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to

Canada

. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa and a return or onward ticket.

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

Visitors must check in with the national police and obtain a registration stamp within 72 hours of arrival.

Travellers are required to carry evidence of yellow fever vaccination.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the Communauté financière africaine franc (XOF), which is also used in

Cameroon

Central African Republic

. There are no import restrictions on local or foreign currencies, provided they are declared on arrival. The export of local currency is prohibited and the export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. Proof of entry of money must be processed through one of the local commercial banks.

There are currently no ATMs in

Chad

. Credit cards are accepted only at the two major hotels in N'Djamena and at Air

France

, the major airline. Due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity, credit cards should be used with caution. Small amounts of local currency can be negotiated on major credit cards from several banks. Canadian currency and Canadian dollar traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. It is recommended that traveller’s cheques be issued in euros, although U.S. dollars are accepted. Please ensure that you bring your receipt for the purchase of the traveller’s cheques, as it is required when you cash your traveller’s cheques.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Chad (capital: N'Djamena) is located in central Africa, bordered by Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Sudan. The official languages are Arabic and French. War, drought, and famine have severely damaged institutions and infrastructure. Tourist facilities are limited.

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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 are extremely limited in most of the country.

Two well-stocked clinics serving expatriates are available to travellers on an emergency basis in N’Djamena. They are expensive and bills must be paid in cash and submitted to health insurance companies for reimbursement by the patient. French and Swiss doctors staff the SOS International Clinic and the Clinique Medico Chirugicale.

Medicines are in short supply or unavailable. You should carry properly labelled medications with you, including a copy of the original prescription to indicate why you have a particular medication.

You should be cautious about water-borne and insect-borne diseases, as well as activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

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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

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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