Travel Safety Information News

A range of risks occur for travellers, the top three are generally from crime, road traffic accidents (RTA's), disease and illness. In most of the large South American and African countries, crime will be the main risk. In South East Asia, it would be road traffic accidents and more recently, urban pollution.

The best sources of global news are the BBC, Reuters, The Economist and The Guardian.  Currently the war in Ukraine and increasing demonstrations in Iran are focusing world attention. The fall of the despotic theocratic regime of Iran has been forecast for many years, the current uprising has a different energy and feel to it. 

Prior to travel to the Americas, it's vital to check the Covid entry requiements, the FCDO website is a good starting point. Most countries require proof of double vaccination and the completion of a health entry form.

The crime rates in many Latin American cities is higher than in Europe and since the covid pandemic, many countries continue to face economic unrest. Inflation is very high in Argentina and Brazil is in a state of political unrest following the November 2022 election. In early December 2022, the Peru President Castillo was impeached and outsted from office leading to widespread street protests.

Current highlights:

• Chile: Volcano Villarica rumbles
• Mexico: More gang death Monterray
• Brazil: Extensive flooding in Rio Grande de Sul
• Ecuador: Second election round in October
• Ecuador: National state of emergency declared
• Peru: Avain flu H5N1 killing 100 thousands of wild birds
• Argentina: presidential elections 22 October
• Uruguay: Water shortages 
• Colombia: Ceasefire declared with ELN
• Paraquay: Increased risk of Chikungunya fever
• Belize: WHO declares free of Malaria
• Argentina: Inflation hits 100% 
• Peru: Increased risk Dengue Fever in lowland areas
• Bolivia: Political instability
• Bolivia: Santa Cruz area - increased risk of dengue fever

View our April 2023 South America Briefing

Travellers to the USA and Canada must ensure they have the correct entry permissions/documents. For the USA, most visitors will be able to enter on an ESTA, however, those who have travelled to USA restricted countries such as Yemen, Iraq and Iran must obtain a visa.

The USA is certainly a more challenging country than Canada due to the ever-increasing political divide and the racial and religious tensions and threat of gun violence including mass shootings which can occur in schools, cinemas and shopping areas.

Current Highlights:

• Canada: Multiple active wildfires
• USA: Flooding in NY state
• USA: Covid test for arrivals from China 
• USA: Political activity gears up for primary elections

The FCDO is currently advising against all travel to Syria, Yemen and Iran and it also has area travel warnings for many countries in the region. Whilst many parts such as the UAE, Egypt and Jordan are generally stable and prosperous, this is not the case other areas. The risk of a short term, no notice conflict between Israel and Gaza is ever present, Whilst the Lebanon remains in a state of political paralysis and is struggling to recover from the August 2020 port explosion. Massive civil unrest, lead by women, has broken out in Iran following dead of an anti hajib protester.

The situation in Israel is currently very tense following the killing of seven worshippers in a synagogue in East Jersualem in late January 2023. There is a high risk of further escalation. At least 34,000 people were killed in the February 2023 earthquake on the Turkish/Syrian border.

Current highlights:

• Israel: Protest against new laws to continue
• Afghanistan: Girls banned from Universities
• Israel: Far right coalition government sworn in
• Yemen: Conflict continues

Travel to the Indian sub-continent is relatively easy provided it is well planned. There are a multitude of different entry requirements and safety and security is an issue in a number of areas such as Kashmir and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Throughout the region, the risk greatest risks are from road traffic accidents and pollution in urban areas. Myanmar (Burma) continues under military rule with sporadic protests and Sri Lanka is beginning to stabilise both politically and economically following the ousting of the Rajapaska presidency. Pakistan is politically and economically unstable and also threatened by growing violence in the NW from the TTP (Tehreek - e - Taliban Pakistan) Islamist group. This group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Peshawar on 30 January 2023 which killed over 100 security forces officers and associates.

Current Highlights:

• Pakistan: Suicide bomb kills over 50 in Mastung
• Pakistan: Street protests against fuel costs
• Bangladesh: Street protests until October
• Pakistan: Imran Khan 1 year jail sentence
• India: Bans white rice exports
• India: Ethnic violence Manipor state
• Sri Lanka: Increased risk of Denge Fever
• Myanmar (Burma): FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Covid restrictions are easing across most of South-East Asia, although China, which only relaxed its strict no tolerance policy in late 2022 following demonstrations. China's policy complete u-turn and has resulted in a surge of cases as the country has little herd immunity. Travel to the Chinese mainland for toursim and some busienesses opened up again on 15 March '23. The region is generally easy and safe for both the business and recreational traveller, apart from Myanmar which remains unstable following the military coup of Febrary 2021. The military have systematically crushed civil resistance and the FCDO is currently advising against all but essential to Myanmar except for Yangon.   Thailand holds electoins on 14 May, some unrest is likely.

Current highlights: 

• Thaliand: Former PM Thakin Shinawatra returns & arrested
• China: Floodiung in south
• Laos & Vietnam: Dengue Fever risk
• Thailand: Coalition formed but under the military control
• Cambodia: Water shortage in some cities
• Philippines: Avoid travel to Mindanao Province

Travel to Africa should be well prepared as there are huge variation in the overall safety situation. At a high level, the risk from disease, especaily malaria in West Africa and parts of Southern Africa should be researched and road traffic accidents remain a constant thrreat.

The Sahel is highly unstable, particulary Mali, Chad, Burkina Fasa, Niger, Northern Nigeria. Parts of Somalia and Ethiopia are also in a flux of conflict. In mid April 23 Sudan descended into open civil war between the government/Army and the Rapid Suppoert Forces (RSF).  A coup in early August 23 disposed the elected goverment in Niger but the region into further crisis.  The risk from terrorism is significant in Kenya, parts of Egypt (Sinai).However, many parts of West Africa and Southern Africa are stable - The key is research. Check out the FCDO and also major global risk management companies such as Sibylline, ISOS/CRG, Salamanca & Worldaware.

South Africa will continue to have extensive power cuts for months if not years to come as the energy supply sector is broken. The state of the Zimbabwean economy is desperate with inflation running at about 250%, daily power cuts and mass unemployment, An election is due and Zanu-PF will do what is necessary, including violent repression to stay in power.  The football African Cup of Nation is being held in Ivory Coast from 13 Jan to 11 Feb 24.  

Current highlights:

• South Africa: Flooding W Cape province
• Libya: Thousands dead in Derna floods
• Niger: France to pulll out troops
• Nigeria: Power cuts
• Gabon: Military Coup
• Zimbabwe: Opposition protests likely
• Ivory Coast: Host African cup of Nations, 13 Jan - 11 Feb 24
• Niger: Military coup
• Kenya: More street protests likely
• Malawi: Fuel shortages
• Ethiopia: Increased levels of Cholera
• Mali: UN peacekeepers ordered to leave
• Sudan: Fragile ceasefire
• Mozambique: Elevated malaria risk
• Ethiopia: Violence in Ahmara region
• DRC: Measles outbreak
• Zambia: Power cuts anticipated
• Kenya: Continued risk from terrorism
• South Africa: Power cuts continue

The region of Austalasia covers Australia, New Zealand and some of the neighbouring Pacific islands. From a security perspective, both Australia and New Zealand are generally safe in comparison to other parts of the World. Environmental dangers are a concern.

New Zealand is an active seismic area with up to twenty earthquakes a day, however, most are small and are not felt. In recent years Australia has swung from extreme drought and devasting wild fires to torrential rains in the east and west coast in 2023.

For the international traveller planning to visit South America, they need to be aware of some relatively significant issues facing any visitor. On a positive note, with the exception of Chile, the continent is generally free of any significant covid entry restriction. However, other challenges remain. 

The first quarter of the year has been turbulent with political unrest a constant feature in Peru and Brazil and in most countries, there has been a significant increase in crime rates and gang related violence. Below is a quick round up, by country, of some of the issues any visitor needs to be aware of. 

At Objective Travel Safety, we have now adapted our acclaimed Business Travel Safety Awareness training programme and are delighted to offer our course online via Skype, Zoom, Webex, Teams. 

Business Travel Safety Awareness Courses provide confidence, knowledge and essential skills needed to stay safe when abroad, as well as delivering duty of care obligations for companies. 

We understand that it takes extensive planning for such a fantastic, inspiring and memorable adventure and that it is not about having a smooth, uncomplicated ride. 

This article was written before the 2019 Military coup. The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to Myanmar. 

I have just returned from a short trip to Kenya and Tanzania. The former was returning to Nairobi and visiting the highland area around Nanyuki whilst in Tanzania it was a familiarisation trip to Zanzibar.

Courses are also available for Media Professionals, NGO's, Businesses, SME's and Large Corporations, Leisure and Adventure Expeditions and also Gap Year Travellers.

Objective Travel Safety trained Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman before both the 'Long Way Round' and 'Long Way Down' motorbike expeditions.

I visited Iran for the first time in May 2017.  What an amazing experience and the country lived up to all the hype I had heard, I can honestly say its one of the very best trip I have ever done.