Sign in Subscribe
Government agencies

Travel Warning: Haiti's Emergency Response Infrastructure Remains in Poor Condition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Haiti. The warning highlights the lack of adequate emergency medical facilities and the security environment in Haiti. The Department urges caution when visiting Haiti, citing the poor state of Haiti's emergency response network. Despite the risk, hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Haiti each year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Department of State has issued a travel warning due to Haiti's lack of adequate emergency medical facilities and security concerns.
  • U.S. citizens are advised to exercise caution when visiting Haiti, particularly in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
  • Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Haiti each year, but the poor state of Haiti's emergency response network should be carefully considered when planning travel.
  • Travelers to Haiti are encouraged to use organizations that have solid evacuation and medical support options in place.
  • Haiti's emergency management infrastructure remains in poor condition, and medical facilities in Haiti, including road ambulance services, are particularly weak.
  • Reports of kidnappings have decreased significantly, but the Government of Haiti still advises U.S. citizens to remain aware of the possibility of robbery, especially in the Port-au-Prince area.
  • U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the most up-to-date security information.

Statistics:

  • 64 reported cases of U.S. citizens being robbed shortly after departing the airport in Haiti from May to October 2014.
  • 3 of these robberies resulted in the death of U.S. citizens.
  • 1 incident involving a U.S. citizen reported to the Embassy in 2015, continuing a dramatic decline in kidnappings since 2011.
  • 10% increase in reported cases of airport robbers since the summer travel period.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs: Travel Warning: Haiti
  • U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs: Country Specific Information for Haiti
  • U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince: Contact Information
  • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
  • U.S. Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)

Read more