Common menu bar links
|
Last Updated:
November 9, 2007 12:35
EST
Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:19 EST |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. RECENT UPDATES The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. A minor editorial change has been made. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Somalia
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel in Somalia. Canadians in this country should leave. There is no resident Canadian government office in The security situation in The airport and seaport are operating commercially. The land border between The security situation is dangerous and unpredictable across the country. Travellers are at risk of kidnapping, murder, or arrest without notice or apparent cause. There is no guarantee of a fair trial or that local courts will respect diplomatic or United Nations immunities. There is an increasing trend towards Islamization of the local courts in many parts of the country, which utilize the Sharia Code for proceedings. You should be aware that anti-Western sentiments are strong in many parts of the country. Violent demonstrations, attacks (possibly targeting foreigners) and armed military activity can occur at any time. There is a high security threat in OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia does not exercise control over the entire region defined to be under its authority and is unable to guarantee security or police protection. Fighting continues among various groups, including among local militias and clans, and all forms of violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, looting, and banditry, are common. Protected humanitarian missions, including those under the auspices of the United Nations, can also be subject to attack. Security escorts, even the Special Protection Unit (SPU) made available to international visitors by the Do not show signs of affluence, and do not venture out alone after dark. Tourist facilities are not available. Electricity and water provisions are not assured. International telephone services and Internet access are limited to larger cities. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements was valid on August 22, 2007. However, entry and exit 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. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. There is no diplomatic/consular mission of Canada currently operating for Somalia. Further information can be obtained on entry and exit requirements with the Permanent Representative of the Somali Republic to the United Nations: 425 East 61st Street, Suite 702 New York, United States, NY10021 Telephone: (212) 688-9410/5046 Fax: (212) 759-0651 Or from the Embassy of the Somali Republic in Kenya: Jabavu Road, Hurlingham Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: (254) (20) 273-6618 Fax: (254) (20) 273-6619 A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Somalia. Canadians should always carry identification, preferably a certified true copy of their passport's identification page. Passport theft is common in Somalia; safe storage is highly recommended. A visa is required to visit those areas under the authority of the Transitional Federal Government. The visa should be obtained in advance from the Embassy of the Somali Republic in Kenya. Visas are also required for Somaliland and Puntland and it is recommended to obtain the visa in advance. Enquiries regarding visas for Somaliland and Puntland should be directed to the person/organization that will be visited as there is no office in Kenya for the issuance of these visas. Proof of yellow fever immunization may be required for those arriving from infected areas. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. 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. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS There is no resident Canadian government office in Somalia. The Canadian government's ability to provide consular assistance is severely restricted due to insecurity. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Kenya - NAIROBI, High Commission of Canada Address: Limuru Road, Gigiri, Nairobi Postal Address: P.O. Box 1013, Nairobi, 00621 Tel.: 254 (20) 366-3000 Fax: 254 (20) 366-3900 E-Mail: nrobi@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.nairobi.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Nairobi, Kenya, and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail 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 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Homosexual activity is illegal. There are reports of female Canadian citizens being forced into marriage without their prior knowledge or consent. Parents, relatives and the community may use relentless pressure and emotional blackmail, threatening behaviour, abduction, imprisonment and physical violence to coerce young people to enter into marriage. While both men and women experience forced marriages, it is a form of violence most commonly perpetrated against women. They have been unable to return to Canada, and their passports and money have been retained by family members. Canada opposes the practice of forced marriage and urges all countries to respect their international human rights obligations relating to free and full consent to marriage. Forced marriage constitutes a human rights violation under several legal instruments, including international human rights law, to which Canada is a signatory. If you are in Canada and you believe that you are being forced to travel overseas or to marry, you should contact provincial social welfare authorities and your local police. You may also contact the Emergency Operations Centre (tel.: 1 800 267-6788) or the nearest Canadian government office (see Section 5 above). BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are poor and dangerous. Flash floods can occur during the rainy season, making some roads impassable. Landmines or other explosive devices may be present in some areas. Roadblocks are frequent. Activities of extremist groups in Somalia are a growing concern. There has been a significant rise in piracy off the coast of Somalia during the past two years and it is considered among the world’s most dangerous coastlines with regards to piracy. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the Commercial Crime Services division of the International Chamber of Commerce. The currency is the Somali schilling (SOS), except in Somaliland, which uses the Somaliland schilling. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not accepted in Somalia. There are no automated banking machines (ABM) available. BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The climate is very hot and dry. However, there is a monsoon season extending from May to October in the southwest and from December to February in the northeast. There are also short rainy seasons in other parts of the country. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. BACK TO TOP 9. 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. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION There are virtually no health facilities or medicines available in Somalia. You must be completely self-sufficient. Only drink bottled water. Milk is not pasteurized and should be boiled. Cases of Rift Valley Fever have recently been reported in the East African region. There are no preventative medications or vaccines for the Rift Valley Fever, but travellers can reduce risks by taking appropriate steps to minimize likelihood of mosquito bites. Additional information on Rift Valley Fever can be obtained through the World Heath Organization or the Public Health Agency of Canada. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist 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. See Canada's Health Portal. 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. Adoption: 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. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
