High-Level Travel Advisories Reissued When Visiting Sudan

A Level 3 Travel Advisory has been reissued for the Republic of Sudan by the US Department of State.

This ‘Reconsider Travel’ Advisory ‘was published on September 26, 2019, related to civil unrest and potential attacks on civilians.’

Specifically, the State Department says ‘not to travel along the border between Chad and Sudan and areas that border South Sudan. Armed opposition groups are active in Central Darfur state and parts of Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.’

Furthermore, ‘the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Sudan, as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization from the Sudanese government to travel outside of Khartoum.’  

And, ‘the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum requires U.S. government personnel in Sudan to use armored vehicles for official travel.’ The Embassy is located at Kilo 10, Soba, Khartoum, Sudan.

Sudan is located in northeast Africa, with a population exceeding 41 million residents.

Previously, the Canadian and United Kingdom (UK) governments issued similar Travel Advisories.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against ‘all’ travel to within 50km of the border with South Sudan in White Nile and Sennar states and within 200km of the border with Libya.

Additionally, the FCO advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to within 100km of the border with Egypt in areas west of the Nile Valley.

Recently, the U.S. State Department issued Travel Advisories for countries near Sudan, such as:

• Saudi Arabia  
• Ethiopia  
• The Democratic Republic of Congo 

If you decide to travel to Sudan, the U.S. State Departement suggests the following action items:

• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or a power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, and the like.
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
• Be sure to appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and Members of Congress, if you are taken hostage or detained.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones can know specific questions and answers to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive and to rule out a hoax.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.
• Erase any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials from your social media pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices that could be considered controversial or provocative by local groups.
• Leave your expensive/sentimental belongings behind.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, such as this Traveler’s Checklist.

Previously, on August 2, 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said to ensure you are up-to-date on several Routine Vaccinations before visiting Sudan.

Additional vaccinations are suggested by the CDC for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Malaria.

Furthermore, a measle vaccination is important since Sudan is included in the CDC’s worldwide measles alert issued during June 2019.

And, if you are traveling from a country with risk of the Yellow Fever virus transmission and are older than 1 year of age, including those who visit for 12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of Yellow Fever virus transmission, proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination must be presented in Sudan.

The Yellow fever vaccine, Stamaril has limited availability in the United States. If you need to be vaccinated before your trip, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance.

These vaccines and related medications can be found at most travel vaccination pharmacies in the USA. Pre-trip, vaccination counseling appointments can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel.

Travel Alerts are published by Vax-Before-Travel