This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (killing of foreign medical team in Badakhshan province in August 2010 and possible plan by militants to kidnap foreign workers in Dur Baba District, Nangahar). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

We strongly advise you not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation and the very high threat of terrorist attack. If you are in Afghanistan, you should consider leaving. Australians who decide to remain in Afghanistan should ensure that they have personal security measures in place and have contingency plans ready in case they need to suddenly leave the country. You should monitor local information sources for details about the safety and security environment.

An international coalition has been conducting a military campaign to restore stability to Afghanistan since October 2001. The security situation throughout Afghanistan, particularly in the south of the country, remains extremely dangerous.

Militants have intensified attacks in major cities and reporting indicates that further attacks are planned.

Militants may be planning to kidnap foreign workers in Dur Baba District, Nangahar.

Serious terrorist incidents, including suicide bombings and other bomb attacks, occur regularly in Afghanistan, including in Kabul and Kandahar. Some attacks have used multiple, consecutive explosions. A large number of people, including civilian foreign nationals, have been killed. Many attacks have targeted international convoys. Australian soldiers have been killed and injured in roadside bomb attacks in Oruzgan Province. Insurgent attacks, including suicide attacks, should be expected throughout the country. Attacks could occur anywhere, anytime.

In August 2010, ten members of a medical team from the Christian aid group International Assistance Mission were killed in Badakhshan province. Eight foreigners were among those killed in the attack, which underscores the risks associated with working and travelling in Afghanistan.

There has been an increase in the number of major attacks in Kabul in the last year. In February 2010, militants attacked the Safi Landmark Hotel, killing at least 17 people, including foreign nationals, and injuring at least 32 others.

In October 2009, six United Nations staff members and three Afghans were killed and nine other people were injured when insurgents attacked a guesthouse used by the United Nations in Butcher Street in the Shar-e-Naw district of Kabul. On the same day, the Serena Hotel was the target of a rocket attack.

Other recent targets include the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters, Afghan government facilities, including the Justice and Education Ministries, and foreign embassies.

Recent and credible reports indicate that terrorists may be planning to attack the Kabul International Airport. An attack could occur at any time.

The United Nations continues to operate in Afghanistan, but has recently withdrawn or relocated international staff from some areas in response to security incidents.

Terrorist targets: We continue to receive a stream of reporting indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets including places frequented by foreigners, airports, hotels, media centres and Afghan Government buildings. Recent reporting suggests diplomatic premises and convoys may be particular targets. Reports include threats against identifiably Western institutions, organisations and individuals and information about a potentially heightened threat of attack on days of national significance, such as Victory Day (28 April).

The Afghan Government has named a number of potential terrorist targets. These include but are not limited to: embassies and aid agencies run by foreign governments; the Serena, Intercontinental and Safi Landmark hotels; the Defence Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the National Directorate of Security; girls’ hostels at Kabul University and Medical University; and a guesthouse used by the United Nations on Kolola Pushta Road.

All major hotels in Kabul continue to be attractive targets for terrorists. Credible reporting indicates there are renewed and ongoing terrorist threats to the Serena and Intercontinental Hotels. In January 2008, terrorists attacked the Serena Hotel in Kabul using small arms and explosives. Australians are strongly advised to continue to avoid the Serena and Intercontinental Hotels and their surrounds at this time.

Credible reports suggest terrorists may be targeting journalists, including Australians, in Afghanistan. In October 2008, a journalist was kidnapped and a non-government organisation (NGO) worker was shot and killed in Kabul. Australian journalists and NGO workers should review personal security arrangements.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible terrorist targets also include commercial and public areas such as restaurants, clubs, markets, shops, hotels and guesthouses, places of worship, landmarks, Kabul airport, transport infrastructure, embassies and NGO premises. Military premises, multinational forces, multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations, and Afghan Government buildings and political figures are also targets for attack. Suicide bombers have targeted security personnel. Attacks have occurred near the Kabul Police Headquarters and on buses carrying police and military officers.

Attacks on roads: We continue to receive a stream of credible reporting indicating that terrorists are planning attacks along roads in and around Kabul. You should avoid non-essential road travel in Kabul City.

You should avoid travelling on Jalalabad and Airport (Great Massoud) Roads due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. Australian Government officials are advised not to travel on Jalalabad and Airport roads unless essential. You are strongly advised not to travel at night. Suicide bombers in vehicles have attacked convoys near Kabul International Airport.

Warlords control many areas in Afghanistan and overland travel is dangerous. Taliban and al-Qa'ida members remain in some parts of the country thereby creating a significant security risk. Fake checkpoints have been used to launch attacks. See also the Local Travel section below.

Kidnapping: There is a continuing high threat of kidnapping against Westerners, including journalists and those working for NGOs and foreign companies. Kidnappings of foreign nationals for political and criminal reasons are common in Afghanistan, including in Kabul. Foreign aid workers and journalists have been kidnapped and killed. Westerners, including employees of NGOs and international organisations, are expected to continue to be targeted.

Be aware that terrorists may have different national backgrounds, including from Western countries.

Advice to Embassy Staff: Security arrangements for Australian Embassy staff in Kabul are at a high level at all times. Embassy officials have been instructed to avoid all non-essential local movement at this time.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Demonstrations, political violence and insurgent attacks may occur in response to political developments. People, places and events associated with the political process could be attractive terrorist targets. Anti-government groups have undertaken terrorist acts against members of the Afghanistan Government. Government officials have been assassinated.

Australians should avoid demonstrations, political rallies, public gatherings and minor disputes as they could escalate and become violent, resulting in deaths and injuries. If you are in an area affected by demonstrations, you should find a safe location, remain indoors, monitor local information sources and heed the advice of authorities.

In the past, violent demonstrations have occurred in areas frequented by foreigners, including the diplomatic quarter and US and NATO bases.

International events and political developments in the region may trigger demonstrations in Afghanistan.

Crime

There is a high level of serious crime in Afghanistan, including in the capital, Kabul.

Armed robbery, rape and carjacking are common and the level of gun ownership is high.

You should stay indoors after dark.

Local Travel

Travel outside Kabul should only be to properly secured workplaces. You should avoid unnecessary road travel in Kabul City. If travelling by road, you should only travel in secure transport, using reputable local drivers and guides. Australian officials use heightened security measures when travelling on this route. You should consider permanent armed protection, though even these precautions cannot guarantee personal safety.

You are advised to consult a reputable security company about appropriate security arrangements, including at home and at work and for all travel. Fully implementing security advice will help to mitigate, but not eliminate, the very high threat of attack.

Kabul International Airport may close at short notice. You should check with your airline before going to the airport.

Banditry in rural areas by armed groups is common.

Unexploded ordnance, including landmines, are a danger throughout Afghanistan.

Airline Safety

Due to safety concerns, Australian officials minimise travel on domestic and international services provided by Ariana Airlines. Australian officials also avoid international travel with Kam Air where possible.

For further information, please refer to our Aviation Safety and Security travel bulletin.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Afghanistan is in an active earthquake zone. Flooding and landslides can occur with little warning between March and May. Some mountainous areas are subject to deadly winter avalanches. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. There are a small number of ATMs in Kabul. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering and theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Afghanistan, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

The death sentence is imposed for murder and other serious offences.

Close contact between unmarried men and women (particularly non-Muslims and Muslims) and de facto relationships are illegal. The penalties for breaching these laws are severe.

Homosexuality is illegal.

Preaching (non-Islamic), infidelity and abandoning religion (Islam) are considered serious crimes. Penalties are severe.

You can be detained and your equipment could be seized for photographing any military installation (regardless of which nation operates it), government buildings and palaces. Signs prohibiting photography should be strictly obeyed. You should ask permission before photographing local people.

Regulations governing the import and use of prohibited items, including alcohol and pork products, are strictly enforced.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Afghanistan and you should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Foreign men and women should dress modestly in public and ensure their legs are covered. Women should also cover their arms, while men may wear short-sleeved shirts. Local women and girls cover their hair in public. Female visitors should use their judgement when deciding whether to do likewise.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. You should not eat, drink or smoke in public during these times. See our Ramadan 2010 Travel Bulletin available on this website for further details.

Public displays of affection cause offence.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Afghanistan for the most up-to-date information.

If you are planning to travel to and from Afghanistan via Pakistan ensure you have a multiple entry for Pakistan, otherwise you will need to get another entry visa from the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, which could delay your travel plans.

It is difficult to renew passports from Afghanistan. If you are in Afghanistan and require a new passport, be sure to contact the Australian Embassy in Kabul well in advance of your passport expiring or running out of pages.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities are limited throughout Afghanistan, including Kabul. The standard of training for medical staff is low, while sanitation and hygiene are poor. There is a shortage of basic medical supplies and medicines. Several private medical clinics in Kabul may be used for routine health issues. Clinics will request up-front payment for all medical treatment. In the event of a serious accident or illness, a medical evacuation would be necessary. The cost of medical evacuation, if it can be arranged, would be considerable.

Malaria is prevalent in Afghanistan, particularly between April and September, except in areas above 2000 metres. Chloroquine-resistant strains are prevalent in some areas. Other insect-borne diseases (such as leishmaniasis) are common. We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using an insect repellent.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, measles, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, polio, pertussis and rabies) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to discuss the need for vaccinations with your doctor before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including Afghanistan. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

The Australian Embassy operates from a number of locations in Kabul. Australians seeking consular assistance should call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305. The Consular Emergency Centre can be contacted on 1300 555 135 within Australia. The provision of consular services to Australians in Afghanistan may be severely restricted due to the security environment.

The Australian High Commission in Pakistan should be contacted regarding all Australian visa matters. The address is:

Australian High Commission
Constitution Avenue and Ispahani Road
Diplomatic Enclave No. 1
Sector G-5/4
Islamabad PAKISTAN
Telephone: (92 51) 282 4345
Facsimile: (92 51) 282 0112
E-mail: consular.islm@dfat.gov.au
Website: www.pakistan.highcommission.gov.au/

If you are travelling to Afghanistan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.