Warden Messages
Update on Civil Unrest
April 11, 2008
This Warden Message is being issued to update American citizens on the civil unrest in Haiti. Due to the outbreak of violent demonstrations in Haiti we urge American citizens to defer non-essential travel to the country. Official Americans are restricted from travel to Haiti. American citizens visiting Haiti should consider departing as soon as circumstances permit.
There was a lull Thursday, April 10, 2008, in some of the violent protests and looting in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and the southern city of Les Cayes. However, following three days of civil unrest in the capital, the situation remains volatile, especially in the Carrefour district of Port-au-Prince. Schools and most businesses still remain closed. All scheduled commercial flights departing Haiti were operating close to schedule during the outbreak of civil unrest, and remain on schedule throughout the upcoming weekend (April 11-13). Please contact the airlines directly to schedule or reschedule your flights.
The Embassy urges all U.S. citizens to continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security/safety awareness. Americans residing in Port-au-Prince and its environs as well as Les Cayes are encouraged to remain indoors, monitor the local news and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy. Americans should avoid all crowds and demonstrations, and be sure to keep family and friends updated on their welfare and whereabouts. The Embassy will continue to evaluate the situation and will notify U.S. citizens of any changes to Embassy operations or any new security threats. Further information is available in the Department's Travel Warning for Haiti at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_917.html
American citizens in need of emergency services can reach an Embassy officer by contacting the Embassy switchboard at (509) 222-13540 or (509) 222-98122. American citizens can also reach an Embassy Duty Officer at (509) 417-2399 or (509) 558-9099, or may call Post One (U.S. Marine Guard) at the Chancery at (509) 222-0200. All visa services and routine American Citizen Services will be temporarily unavailable.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's travel website at www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. Citizens living and residing in Haiti are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system at https://travelregistration.state.gov