smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Ethiopia
| Ethiopia overall | This Advice is current for Thursday, 09 September 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Border areas with Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea, the Gambella region and Ogaden area | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (increase in security arrangements in Addis Ababa). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
![[top]](/zwiki/images/page_top.gif)
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, because of the high threat of terrorist attack against Western interests and ongoing political tensions. If you do decide to travel to Ethiopia, you should exercise extreme caution and avoid crowds. Australians could be caught up in attacks directed at others.
On 29 July 2010, the Ethiopian authorities increased the level of their security measures in Addis Ababa, reportedly in response to threats made by terrorists against foreign interests. These new security measures include vehicle searches and other checks upon entering venues that may be frequented by foreigners such as international hotels.
Credible reporting indicates that militants may be planning to conduct attacks, including cross-border kidnappings, in eastern Ethiopia. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnap Threat in Africa travel bulletin.
Some local hotels, including the Hilton and the Ghion, have received bomb threats in the past.
Recent incidents include:
You should be particularly vigilant in the lead up to and on days of national or religious significance as militants may use these occasions to mount attacks.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. These include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, markets, shops, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, landmarks, public gatherings, tourist areas, embassies and government buildings. Aircraft, airports, petrol stations, buses, railways and other transport infrastructure are also possible terrorist targets (see under Local Travel below).
Ogaden area of the Somali region: We strongly advise you not to travel to the Ogaden area of the Somali region. The rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for an attack in Obele in the Ogaden area in which 74 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed by gunmen in April 2007. It has warned the Ogaden area is a battle zone and it will not guarantee the safety of any firm operating in the area.
National elections were held on 23 May 2010. While polling day was largely peaceful, demonstrations during the election period have, in the past, led to violence. An explosion on 24 April 2010 in northern Ethiopia killed 5 people and injured at least 20 others. Ethiopian government officials claim that the attack was an attempt to disrupt the elections. You should avoid demonstrations and rallies during the election period, including after the announcement of the final result, as they may turn violent. You should monitor the media and other local news sources for safety information.
Conflict in neighbouring countries could spill over into Ethiopia, particularly along the border with Somalia. Somali government forces have been fighting militant groups and, although the fighting has been only in Somalia, there is potential for insurgent attacks to be directed at Ethiopia.
We advise you to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings throughout the country as they may turn violent. International events and political developments may trigger large demonstrations.
In the past, explosions in Addis Ababa targeted government institutions, public areas, public transportation, restaurants and cafes resulting in death and injury.
Ethiopian security forces do not have a widespread presence in the country and may not have the capacity to respond to incidents.
Border with Kenya: We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Kenya due to the presence of armed groups and landmines. Cross border violence occurs, including kidnapping, armed banditry, and violent tribal and clan disputes.
Border with Somalia: We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Somalia due to violence clashes between government forces and insurgents. Although Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from Somalia, tensions in the border region remain extremely high. Somali and Ethiopian government troops have been involved in violent clashes with militant insurgents since December 2006. The clashes appear to be escalating and tensions remain extremely high. Firearm, grenade and landmine attacks on security forces are common. Civilians have been killed and injured. All travel to the Ogaden areas of the Somali region should also be avoided due to the dangerous security situation.
Border with Sudan, including the Gambella region: We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Sudan, including the Gambella region, due to the presence of armed groups, inter-tribal clashes and landmines and the risk of banditry and kidnapping. The security situation in Sudan is extremely dangerous and there is a high risk of violent crime and civil unrest. Continuing unrest and sporadic violence in this region has led to the deaths of many people, including a number of UN personnel. The security situation remains volatile and could escalate without warning.
Border with Eritrea: We also strongly advise you not to travel to the disputed border area between Ethiopia and Eritrea due to the extremely dangerous security situation and the presence of landmines. This includes the Danakil desert area bounded by the Dessie-Adigrat road, the Dessie-Djbouti road and the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. Two Ethiopians were killed and a foreign tourist injured when a landmine exploded in the Danakil desert area in April 2009.
A peace agreement signed between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2000 is yet to be fully implemented and the border is heavily militarised and remains closed. Both sides are on heightened alert and political tensions remain high. Hostilities could escalate further at any time. In March 2008, eight people were killed and 11 injured when a bus exploded as it left a bus station in the border town of Humera. There are no direct flights between the two countries. See also our travel advice for Eritrea.
Pickpocketing, bag and jewellery snatching and other petty crimes are common in crowded areas, especially in the Mercato open air market and Piazza areas of Addis Ababa.
Highway banditry and armed carjacking have been reported outside the main urban centres.
Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.
Landmines are a hazard in the border areas with Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia.
In the past, sabotage by terrorists has caused the derailment of trains from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to Djibouti. Buses have also been attacked.
Driving in Ethiopia can be hazardous as most roads are in poor condition. Excessive speeds, local driving habits, roaming animals, poorly maintained vehicles and inadequate road lighting pose particular risks. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Ethiopia is experiencing severe drought after four years of below average rainfall. Local services and the availability of water and basic food may be affected. An increase in disease has also been reported.
Ethiopia is in an active earthquake and volcanic zone.
The rainy season is from June to September when flooding may occur and some roads can become impassable.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
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 limited ATMs in Addis Ababa; these are mostly in large hotels.
Currency controls are strict in Ethiopia. All foreign currency must be declared on arrival. Undeclared foreign currency may be confiscated when you leave. Ethiopian birr must be used to settle accounts and you must show proof of exchange. You may export up to 200 birr.
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, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from the 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 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 child care providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Childwise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Ethiopia, 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.
Australians who might engage in activities that involve local legal matters, particularly with regard to family law (divorce, child custody and child support), are strongly advised to seek professional advice and ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
The death penalty may be imposed for serious crimes, such as aggravated murder.
Penalties for drug offences are severe in Ethiopia and include long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Homosexual behaviour is illegal and penalties include imprisonment.
Written authorisation from the National Museum in Addis Ababa is required for the purchase or removal of Ethiopian antiquities and other cultural artefacts. These may include Ethiopian crosses.
Photography around military zones, military assets and military personnel is illegal and may result in arrest and detention. You should also obey signs prohibiting photography and refrain from taking photos if the location or infrastructure may be considered sensitive.
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.
There are conservative standards of behaviour and dress in Ethiopia. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.
The Julian calendar is used in Orthodox Christian areas in the highlands, while Ethiopians set their clocks differently to what is customary elsewhere, resulting in significant time differences. To avoid confusion, always check bookings and appointments.
Ethiopia does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Ethiopian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Kenya for the most up-to-date information.
If you are arriving from a country infected with yellow fever you will be required to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate to be allowed entry into Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited Ethiopia in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
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.
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.
Health facilities are limited in Addis Ababa and inadequate in rural areas. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs would be considerable.
Malaria is prevalent in Ethiopia, except for the capital Addis Ababa and areas above 2000 metres. Chloroquine resistant strains are prevalent in some areas. Other insect-borne diseases (including dengue fever, yellow fever, leishmaniasis, filariasis and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using an insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including acute diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, polio, measles, tuberculosis, brucellosis and meningitis) are also prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time.
We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, including booster doses of childhood vaccinations. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
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.
The altitude in the mountainous regions of Ethiopia can cause problems for travellers, particularly those who suffer from lung, heart or chest problems. Healthy travellers may also feel the effects of the lack of oxygen.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including the Horn of Africa. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Ethiopia. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the Canadian Embassy in Addis Ababa provides consular assistance to Australians in Ethiopia. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:
Canadian Embassy
Old Airport Area, Nefas Silk Lafto Sub City
Kebele 04, House No. 122
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
Telephone: (251 11) 371 3022
Facsimile: (251 11) 371 3033
Email: addis@international.gc.ca
Website: http://www.ethiopia.gc.ca
You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Kenya:
Australian High Commission
Riverside Drive (400 metres off Chiromo Road)
Nairobi, KENYA
Telephone: (+254 20) 427 7100
Facsimile: (+254 20) 427 7139
Website: http://www.kenya.embassy.gov.au/
If you are travelling to Ethiopia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate
. 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 a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the above mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
