Travel Warning - Haiti Observer Blog

United States Government recently Issued Warning to Persons Wishing To Visit Haiti, at the same time is taking the position that the country is stable. On the one hand, U.S Department of State warning (dated May 22, 2017), all American citizens must carefully consider the risks of traveling to Haiti due to the country's current security environment and lack of adequate medical facilities. On the one hand, after granting an extension of six months, the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now ready to repatriate more than 58,000 Haitian immigrants by January 22, 2018, because the DHS senior officials consider the present law and order situation in Haiti is "relatively stable".

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According to U.S. State Department, tensions remain high and they remain abreast of the security situation in Haiti during the election period. All "U.S. citizens in Haiti are advised to maintain adequate supplies of food, water, essential medicines, and other supplies that will allow them to shelter in place for at least 72 hours". They pointed to the fact of possible restrictions on traffic circulation, either imposed by the authorities or caused by political rallies that may occur.

The U.S. State Department announced that this revised Travel Alert should be in effect until February 15, 2017 the date the election process is expected to end.

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On March 13, 2014, the U.S Department of State has renewed their living and travel warning to the U.S citizens in Haiti. This alert is an updated version of their previous travel warning dated August 13, 2013, issued at a time when the violent crime in Haiti is fading.

The warning, instead, has given much emphasis on Haiti's weak emergency response infrastructure. Although hundreds of U.S citizens have safely visited Haiti in recent past, it is a fact that there are many others who have fallen prey of poor medical infrastructure, victims of violent crime like kidnapping and homicide in and around Port-au- Prince with meager emergency response network. In December 2013, the U.S embassy was reported of six robbing cases of U.S citizens who were robbed shortly after they landed at the airport of the Haitian capital.

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Based on a study done annually, today.com publishes an annual list of countries to go to enjoy or or to avoid, last year Haiti was listed among the countries in the world to avoid. Guess what! this year Haiti is on the "To Go" list.

What are the reasons for Haiti to move from the list of the countries to avoid to the countries to go to within just one year?

The main reason is that Haiti has become a country with the capacity to welcome foreign visitors

The recent efforts in the area of tourism start paying dividend for Haiti and its economy

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Citing an increase in the crime level in Haiti, especially in regards to Americans living in or visiting the country, the U.S. State Department has issued a notice, replacing the last advisory on the subject made on December 28, 2012, informing the concerned parties on this subject.

Adding to the bill is the concern over inadequate infrastructure, limited, seasonal protection from the police and harsh weather. There is also the issue of the inefficient medical institutions, though safety and security remains the first concern.

While the warning does not dissuade Americans from visiting Haiti outright, the message is conveyed clearly enough in the picture painted by words and phrases describing the many murders, robberies, kidnappings and other violent crimes, especially within the scope of the Port-au-Prince area. The advisory goes on to mention a recent robbery of two U.S. citizens shortly after disembarking their flight to Haiti and leaving the airport.

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The U.S. State Department issued on August 13, 2013 a new warning to all American citizens who live or want to come to Haiti due to security issue in the country. This new warning is to replace the previous warning issued on 28 December 2012.

The New U.S. State Department travel warning strongly encourages American citizens to exercise caution during their visits to Haiti. American citizens have been victims of violent crimes, including murders and kidnappings, primarily around the Haitian Capital.

The warning noted reasons such as high level of crime, lack of adequate infrastructure and medical institutions, severe weather and seasonal limited police protection.

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