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

Text File | 1994-04-11 | 6KB | 106 lines

#CARD:Sierra Leone:Travel\Consular Information
Sierra Leone - Consular Information Sheet
March 19, 1994

Country Description:  Sierra Leone is a developing West African nation.
There is an active, highly visible military presence throughout the country.
 Facilities for tourism are limited.  Telephone service is unreliable.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a visa are required.  Airport visas are
not available upon arrival in Sierra Leone for United States citizens.
Visas must, therefore, be obtained in advance from a Sierra Leonean embassy
or consulate.  Yellow fever immunizations are required.  Malaria
suppressants are used by most visitors.  For current entry information the
traveler may contact the Embassy of Sierra Leone, 1701 19th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone [phone].

Areas of Instability:  The U.S. Embassy in Freetown advised U.S. citizens of
the following on March 17, 1994:

"The security situation in Sierra Leone remains unstable.  Only three major
European air carriers are currently servicing Lungi Airport, and the ferry
service between the airport and Freetown is unreliable.  Although the
government recaptured Kono district and the town of Kailahun, attacks on
military and civilian targets in the Kenema area and in Koribundu south of
Bo have increased tensions and generated large numbers of displaced persons.
 An attack on the missionary hospital at Panguma resulted in the deaths of
four expatriates.  The highway between Kenema and Bo has been intermittently
closed due to attacks on military and civilian vehicles.  The area of the
country southeast of a line extending from Sefadu to Bo to Bonthe is
generally unsafe for travel.  As a result of the military activity in the
east and south, thousands of displaced people have moved to areas in the
northern province.  Food and medical supplies are not guaranteed in these
areas.  There are numerous roadblocks and checkpoints outside Freetown, and
travel up-country after dark is particularly dangerous.  Americans
contemplating travel up-country should check with the U.S. Embassy for
current information before commencing such travel."

Currency Regulations:  Travelers over the age of 16 must exchange a minimum
of $100 (U.S. ) upon arrival, and declare other foreign currency on an
exchange control form which must be certified and stamped at the port of
entry.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities fall far short of U.S. standards.
Medicines are in short supply, sterility of equipment is questionable, and
treatment is unreliable.  Many primary health care workers, especially in
rural areas, lack professional training.  Instances of misdiagnosis,
improper treatment and administration of improper drugs have been reported.
Persons with medical conditions that may require treatment or medications
are discouraged from traveling to Sierra Leone.  International air carriers
are reluctant to assist with medical evacuations from Sierra Leone.  Private
charter evacuations, costing thousands of dollars, may be necessary.
Doctors and hospitals often require immediate payment for health services.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to
be useful.  Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-
4559.

Information on Crime:  Petty crime and theft of wallets and passports are
common.  Requests for payments at military roadblocks are common.  Robberies
and burglaries of residences also occur.  The loss or theft of a U.S.
passport abroad should be reported immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate.  The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to
Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal
security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general.
Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Curfew:  There is an official nationwide curfew from 2:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M.
Localized changes in the security situation in specific areas can lead,
without warning, to imposition of much more stringent curfew hours.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect jail
sentences and fines.

Photography Restrictions:  Permission is required to photograph government
buildings, airports, bridges or official-looking buildings.  Areas
forbidding photography are not marked or defined.

Dual Nationality:  Dual nationals who are bearers of Sierra Leone passports
are required to present proof of payment of taxes before being granted
departure clearance from Sierra Leone.  U.S. consular assistance to persons
of dual nationality may be extremely limited.

Registration:  U.S. citizens may register at the U.S. Embassy, at which time
they may obtain updated information on travel and security in Sierra Leone.
In the event of civil disorder or national crisis, U.S. citizens are asked
to contact the U.S. Embassy.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Walpole and
Siaka Stevens streets in the capital city of Freetown.  The telephone number
is (232-22) 226-481.  U.S. consular services are limited to areas under
government control; personnel constraints imposed on the U.S. Embassy limit
the assistance which can be provided even in those areas.

No. 94-034

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 3, 1993, to
revise the paragraph on Areas of Instability.

#ENDCARD