Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/haiti.tvl

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#CARD:Haiti:Travel\Consular Information
Haiti - Travel Warning
October 14, 1993

U.S. citizens are warned against all nonessential travel to Haiti because of
political unrest.  The political situation in Haiti remains unstable.  The
potential exists throughout the country for random violence, sporadic
disturbances and criminal acts.  The police and judiciary are unable to
provide adequate levels of security and due process.  Tourists and American
citizens resident in Haiti are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy if
they have not already done so.

No. 93-040

Haiti - Consular Information Sheet
October 19, 1993

Warning:  U.S. citizens are warned against all nonessential travel to Haiti
because of political unrest.  The political situation in Haiti remains
unstable.  The potential exists throughout the country for random violence,
sporadic disturbances and criminal acts.  The police and judiciary are
unable to provide adequate levels of security and due process.  U.S. citizen
tourists and residents in Haiti are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy
if they have not already done so.

Country Description: Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
 Throughout the country, there are periodic shortages of goods and services,
including electrical power, gasoline and diesel fuel, and propane.  The
United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) have reimposed
economic sanctions against Haiti.

Entry Requirements: U.S. citizens over the age of 18 can visit Haiti using
evidence of citizenship and a document showing nationality which also bears
a photo; however, application of this policy by Haitian officials is
inconsistent.  Most U.S. citizens avoid immigration problems by using a U.S.
passport when entering and leaving Haiti.  Children under the age of 18 must
use a passport.  Haiti also requires a departure tax of $25.00, payable in
cash (U.S. dollars only.)  For  additional information concerning entry and
customs requirements for Haiti, travelers can contact the Embassy of Haiti
at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel: [phone] or
the nearest consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Boston, New York, or
San Juan.

Areas of Instability:  See paragraph one for warning information.

Medical Facilities: Medical care is limited.  Travelers to Haiti face the
range of diseases normally found in a tropical country including malaria,
typhoid, polio and dengue fever.  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses a
significant health risk and is prevalent in tourist areas.  The level of
community sanitation is low.  Public water sources often contain impurities
that can cause severe intestinal disorders.  Food purchased on the street
may also pose a health hazard.  In larger cities there are usually
restaurants with generally sanitary conditions.  Bottled water and bottled
drinks are usually safe.

Medical facilities outside the capital are few, far between, and often below
U.S. standards.  None of the medical facilities in Haiti have the equipment
and expertise to which U.S. citizens may be accustomed, and life-threatening
emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's
expense.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for
health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the
United States.  In some instances, supplemental medical insurance with
specific overseas coverage has proved useful.  For additional health
information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's
international travelers hotline at [phone].

Crime Information: Foreigners in Haiti are at risk from criminal attacks,
particularly in urban areas, owing to their relative affluence.  In recent
months, crime has increased in Port au Prince and the situation in the
provinces has become more tense.  U.S. citizen crime victims are often
frustrated by the lack of response and enforcement capabilities of the local
police and judiciary.

The loss or theft of a passport overseas should be reported to the local
police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Lost or stolen U.S. birth
certificates and/or driver's licenses used as entry documents generally
cannot be replaced outside of the United States.  Without proof of identity
and citizenship, obtaining a first-time U.S. passport in Haiti can be time-
consuming.  U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A
Safe Trip Abroad" which provides useful information on guarding valuables
and protecting personal security while traveling abroad.  Both this pamphlet
and "Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean" are available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington
D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations: The Haitian government permits a free market exchange
of U.S. dollars for gourdes, the Haitian monetary unit.  Money can be
exchanged at banks and exchange houses.  Funds are regularly exchanged on
the street although such exchange is technically illegal.  Most prices in
Haiti are quoted in Haitian dollars, where a dollar is used to mean five
Haitian gourdes.  Although some vendors accept U.S. dollars, it is to the
traveler's advantage to use Haitian currency.  There are no restrictions on
the amount or type of currency that can be brought into or taken out of
Haiti.  Owing to the risk of theft, however, most travelers have found it
safer to bring travelers checks or to arrange for electronic transfers of
funds.

Other Information:  There is an economic embargo against Haiti imposed by
the United Nations and the Organization of American States, including the
United States, which limits trade with Haiti.  For more information on the
U.S. embargo regulations, contact the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
Office of Foreign Assets Control, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20220, tel. [phone].

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Criminal penalties for possession, use, and
dealing in illegal drugs are strict.  Those accused of drug-related crimes
can expect lengthy legal proceedings, irregular application of Haitian law,
and delayed due process.  If convicted, offenders may face long jail
sentences and substantial fines.

Embassy Location/Registration:  U.S. citizens may register with the Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy.  The Embassy is located on Harry Truman Blvd.,
P.O. Box 1761, Port au Prince; telephone [phone], 22-0354, 22-0368, or
22-0612; fax [phone].  The Consular Section is located on Rue Oswald
Durand, Port au Prince; telephone [phone] or 23-8971; consular annex
fax [phone].  U.S. citizens may obtain updated information from the
U.S. Embassy on travel and security within Haiti.

No. 93-303

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 13, 1993 to
include information on the warning to U.S. citizens to defer nonessential
travel to Haiti and on the U.N. and OAS embargo against Haiti.

#ENDCARD