From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Somalia
Date: 7 Jan 1993 18:18:06 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Somalia
============================================================
Somalia - Warning
 December 24, 1992

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens who are not involved in 
the military or relief operations to avoid all travel to Somalia.  
Civil strife and general lawlessness are significant threats to 
personal safety and the country is without a functioning government. 
 Contagious diseases pose a serious health threat.  Medical 
treatment facilities are virtually non-existent.

A coalition of United Nations forces began deploying in Somalia 
December 9, 1992.  The purpose of this force is to secure airports, 
ports, roads, storage and distribution sites to permit the effective 
delivery of humanitarian assistance in Somalia.  Further information 
is available in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet 
on Somalia.

 No. 92-10

This warning replaces the travel advisory warning dated April 17, 
1992.


Somalia - Consular Information Sheet
 December 24, 1992

Warning:  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens not involved 
in military or relief operations to avoid all travel to Somalia.  
Civil strife and general lawlessness are significant threats to 
personal safety and the country is without a functioning government. 
 Contagious diseases pose a serious health threat.  Medical 
treatment facilities are virtually non-existent.  A coalition of 
United Nations forces began deploying in Somalia December 9, 1992.  
The purpose of this force is to secure airports, ports, roads, 
storage and distribution sites to permit the effective delivery of 
humanitarian assistance in Somalia.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated on 
January 5, 1991.  The United States government is unable to offer 
any type of assistance or protection to American citizens in Somalia.

Entry Requirements:  No visas are required for entry into Somalia.  
There is no functioning Somali Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Areas of Instability:  Almost the total country of Somalia is in a 
state of anarchy, although some areas in the north have suffered 
less from famine and banditry.  There is no functioning national 
government, and no U.S. protective service is available.

Medical Information:  Anyone entering Somalia must receive 
immunization against cholera, typhoid, and yellow fever, and obtain 
a doctor's advice regarding any other immunizations that might be 
necessary.  There are virtually no health facilities or medicines 
available in Somalia.

Information on Crime:  Looting, banditry, and all forms of violent 
crime are common in Somalia.

Other Information:  Electricity, water, food and lodging are 
unobtainable on a regular basis.  Foreigners must bring a supply of 
bottled water, vitamins, and any personal medications.  Lodging is 
generally located through personal contact with a relief 
organization or other individuals in Somalia.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who plan to enter Somalia, despite 
this warning, can register at U.S. embassies in Kenya, Djibouti or 
Ethiopia and obtain updated information on current circumstances in 
Somalia.

 No. 92-165


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