TRAVEL WARNING - CHAD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 067463 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC ASEC CD SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - CHAD ¶1. This Travel Warning provides an update on the security situation in Chad. The Department of State continues to advise American citizens to defer travel to Chad, and American citizens residing in Chad should exercise extreme caution. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Chad dated June 16, 2008. ¶2. American citizens should defer all travel to Chad due to the unstable security situation throughout the country. Armed rebel groups resumed activity in eastern Chad in mid-June and present real dangers. The Chadian government is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors in most parts of the country. During the period June 16- 18, the Embassy relocated some Embassy staff and family members to Cameroon as a precaution. Family members of Embassy personnel under the age of 21 are not authorized to reside in Chad. Commercial flights continue to operate from N'Djamena International Airport, but flights are subject to change when rebel activity intensifies. The security situation in general remains fluid and potentially dangerous. ¶3. Limited American citizen services are available at the Embassy, but visa services remain suspended until further notice - see contact information below. ¶4. U.S. citizens in Chad, particularly those outside N'Djamena, should be aware that the U.S. Embassy cannot guarantee that the same options and level of evacuation assistance that existed in February 2008 will be available should the situation again deteriorate. The Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens be prepared to implement their personal evacuation or safe haven plans on short notice should the situation warrant, and exercise extreme caution. ¶5. The State Department advises American citizens not affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts to avoid travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/Central African Republic border area due to insecurity caused by banditry and clashes between Government and rebel forces. The U.S. Embassy is not able to support evacuation from eastern Chad. All Americans affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad must have an evacuation plan developed with the UN which has aircraft and other logistical support. Americans in Chad should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website at (http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov). ¶6. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad are strongly urged to coordinate travel plans with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) security officers in Abeche and N'Djamena, and to follow UNHCR guidance regarding safety and security. The government of Chad requires all individuals traveling to or residing in refugee-affected areas in eastern Chad to obtain permits issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in N'Djamena, and to register in Abeche upon arrival in eastern Chad. ¶7. American citizens who intend to enter Sudan from Chad despite the Department's Travel Warnings for both countries must obtain the appropriate visas and permits in advance of entry into Sudan. Further information is available in the Department's Travel Warning for Sudan at (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/ tw_934.html) . ¶8. American citizens traveling to or resident in Chad should register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form online at STATE 00067463 002 OF 002 (https://travelregistration.state.gov) and provide contact information and specific travel data if traveling outside the capital. Registration enables the Embassy to contact American citizens in case of emergency and provide updates on the security situation. The U.S. Embassy is located in N'Djamena on Avenue Felix Ebou; mailing address B.P. 413, telephone (including after hours): (235) 251-70-09; alternate numbers 251-62-11, 251-90-52, 251-92-33, 251-77-59, 251-92-18; fax (235) 251-56-54; website: (http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov). ¶9. For additional information, consult the Department of State's latest Country Specific Information for Chad at (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis /cis_1086.ht ml) and the Worldwide Caution at (http://travel.state.gov),or call 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas. ¶10. Minimize considered. RICE