Missionaries can share advice and stories of past mission trips
It is reported that pilots for the national carrier reported sick for a fourth consecutive day as part of a protest against the cancellation of performance-related bonuses, local media reported. Please contact your carrier for possible delays and cancellations.
If you are making plans to travel to India, then we strongly recommend purchasing trip delay insurance. Get a trip insurance quote at www.InsuranceForTrips.com
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for violence in Mozambique in association with the October 28, 2009, general election. This Travel Alert expires on November 10, 2009.
The Embassy has received specific reports of localized civil unrest and violence in Gaza, Nampula, Sofala and Tete provinces.
With all the recent travel warnings we recommend travel insurance which covers trip delays and political evacuation.
Germany will increase security efforts at train stations and airports nationwide, according to Germany’s interior ministry on September 18th, in light of terror threats surrounding September 27th elections. The move follows the release of a video en which an alleged Al-Qaida militant threatened attacks in retaliation for Germany’s role in Afghanistan. The threat warned Muslims to avoid potential interests for two weeks following the elections.
U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa issued the following Warden Message on September 22:
The Embassy advises American citizens residing in and visiting Honduras that the de facto regime has extended the curfew announced Monday, September 21, 2009 until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2009. The de facto regime also announced the suspension of all flights to and from Honduras and domestic flights within Honduras for September 22, 2009. The Embassy strongly encourages American citizens to abide by the curfew, and to monitor local television and radio for updates to travel restrictions and other security measures.
The Embassy will be closed to the public on September 22, 2009. A decision on re-opening the Embassy will be taken during the course of the day.
Those with flights scheduled for September 22 should contact their airlines for further information. Those flying with American Airlines may wish to call (504) 216-4800 (Honduras) or 1-800-433-7300 (United States). Those traveling with Delta Airlines may wish to call 1-800-241-4141 (United States and Central America) or (504) 550-1616 (San Pedro Sula). Those with flights scheduled with Continental Airlines may wish to call (504) 220-0999 (Tegucigalpa), (504) 557-4141 (San Pedro Sula), or 1-800-231-0856 (United States).
Honduras’ land borders with Guatemala and El Salvador are currently open to commercial and private vehicles, but are subject to closure without warning. The borders between Honduras and Nicaragua have been closed intermittently since Friday, July 24.
The U.S. Embassy distributes its warden messages via email, and posts them on its website. Messages received via SMS to cell phones are not U.S. Embassy messages and do not reflect U.S. government travel advice.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet website (http://travel.state.gov), where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Americans living or traveling in Honduras are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website (https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs), and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria and all other U.S. government offices in South Africa temporarily shut down its facilities on September 22nd after receiving and undisclosed threat. Details on the alleged threat were not given; however, authorities warned U.S. citizens to be extra vigilant while near U.S. government facilities in the country.
Local Media reported flights out of Beijing will be postponed from 9:30am to 12:30pm on October 1st as part of security efforts ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Officials did not comment on inbound flights.
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu issued the following Warden Message.
The festival season of Dashain and Tihar is fast approaching. Historically during this time there is an increase in criminal activity such as thefts and robberies, clashes, snatching of bags and purses, and house break-ins. Incidents of street harassment by intoxicated individuals also typically increase during this time. Dashain lasts from approximately September 19, 2009, through October 2, 2009, followed by Tihar, which will take place from October 15-19, 2009.
For precautions and more information visit the US State Deparment Website http://nepal.usembassy.gov/wm-09-21-2009.html
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the violent demonstrations stemming from political friction between the central government and the authorities of Buganda, which is a vestige of a pre-modern kingdom located in central Uganda, inclusive of Kampala. This Travel Alert expires on November 10, 2009.
As a result of these demonstrations, travel within the downtown central business district of Kampala and surrounding areas is severely restricted, and U.S. citizens should be aware that spontaneous demonstrations can occur without notice. This potential for violent demonstrations will remain throughout the weekend of September 12-13, and may extend into the following week.
The Kampala-Entebbe road that connects the Entebbe International Airport and Kampala was closed several times on September 10, and some roads leading north from Kampala were sporadically closed. These sporadic closures are expected to continue to occur through the weekend, and perhaps beyond. This means travel to and from the airport may be severely restricted and may cause lengthy delays. U.S. citizens planning to travel out of Entebbe International Airport should be sure to give themselves at least four (4) hours to get to the airport from Kampala.
U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn unexpectedly violent. U.S. citizens in Uganda should remain aware of their surroundings, monitor and assess their own security situations at all times, and avoid large public gatherings, protests, and demonstrations. U.S. citizens are encouraged to report unusual events or activities to the U.S. Embassy.
U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consular Section of the U.S. Mission in Uganda at (256) (0) (414) 259 791 or (256) (0) (414) 306 001. In the case of an emergency outside business hours, or during any suspension of public services, U.S. citizens may reach the U.S. Mission duty officer at the same numbers.
For the latest security information, citizens living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at: http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays).
U.S. citizens are advised to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Mission in Kampala. The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road. The phone number is (256) (0) (414) 306 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791, fax (256) (0) (414) 258 451, email: KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov, and U.S. Embassy Kampala website: http://kampala.usembassy.gov.
Actual emergency medical evacuation from the Amazon
September is National Preparedness Month and a great opportunity for your international mission organization to focus on preparedness. It is recommended that you take an emergency supply kit and be informed about the different emergencies that can happen at your destination and the appropriate responses.
This year marks the 10th year of a mission organization which has been with Insurance Services of America. Why have they stayed with us for so long? One reason is because of what happened to one of their people on Sept. 24, 2001. On that date this particular missionary was the only one of 6 passengers in a vehicle that was unbelted when the vehicle flipped over in Papua New Guinea. The vehicle landed on top of this missionary, giving her a traumatic brian injury, several broken ribs, a collapsed lung and knocked the fillings out of her teeth.
Fortunately she was insured on one of our international plans! She was paralyzed as a result of this accident and permanently labeled as “disabled”. She was flown on a med-evac plane from Papua New Guinea to Australia to Germany and finally home to New York – at a cost of almost $100,000! Not only was this expense covered, but also her expenses overseas and rehabilitation in the US. The evacuation and claim process was handled smoothly and efficiently – consequently this group has chosen to continue to trust the care of their missionaries to Insurance Services of America!
Insurance Services of America provides all of our missionaries’ resources on being prepared for the unexpected and if there is an emergency, then assistance is just a telephone call away. Getting prepared can be as easy as following these steps:
before you go abroad:
Pre-departure Preparations
Health Issues
Safety and Security
Miscellaneous
while you’re abroad:
Did you know you can receive travel alerts by email or SMS text message? Call or email us for more information on obtaining specific health, security and city information for your destination.
For a second day India’s Jet Airways were cancelled due to pilots on strike. 154 domestic and 32 international flights were cancelled on Tuesday and a bout a 100 flights have been cancelled on Wednesday. The strike could last a couple more days. If you are traveling to Mumbai, New Delhi or within India, we urge you to contact your travel suppliers for possible cancellations and delays.