Travel Warning: Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza today.  It reads as follows:

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

June 22, 2011

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued August 10, 2010, to update information on the general security environment and to warn against participation in any attempt to reach Gaza by sea.

Travel Warning: Sudan

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Sudan today.  It reads as follows:

Sudan

June 22, 2011

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Sudan. The Department of State recommends U.S. citizens avoid all travel to the Darfur region of Sudan, and avoid travel to the border areas between the northern and southern regions of Sudan, particularly the states of Upper Nile, Unity, Western Bar el Ghazai, Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and the Abyei Special Administrative District. This replaces the Travel Warning of January 7, 2011, to reflect the continued risk of violence in the Darfur region; the risk of armed conflict involving forces of the Government of Sudan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, and various militia groups in certain areas of Sudan; and the high risk of violent crime in Juba.

Travel Warning: Cote D’Ivoire

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Cote D’Ivoire on June 16, 2011.  It reads as follows:

Cote d’Ivoire

June 16, 2011

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of travel to Cote d’Ivoire. U.S. citizens who reside in or travel to Cote d’Ivoire should watch conditions carefully, maintain situational awareness, and pay very close attention to their personal security. While the security situation in Abidjan is improving, it could change quickly and without advanced warning. Instances may continue to arise where the best course of action is for citizens to temporarily shelter in place if it is otherwise generally safe to do so. Effective June 15, the Department of State is lifting the Ordered Departure for U.S. government employees and adult family members at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan. At that time, the embassy will become a partially unaccompanied post, meaning that no minor dependents of U.S. government employees will be permitted to travel to Cote d’Ivoire. Although staff levels at the embassy will return to normal, our ability to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency may be limited in certain circumstances. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning of April 14, 2011 to update U.S. citizens on the current security situation.

Essential Pieces of Information to Carry When Traveling Overseas

I travel a lot.  As such, I find myself in a strange city and country on a biweekly basis during the busy times.  While a traveler’s list of vitally important information will differ from person to person, many years in the State Department has helped me boil it down to a few key items I will not consider leaving home without memorizing.  I am interested in your comments too; does anyone- especially experienced travelers- have a similar list?

Travel Warning: Philippines

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for the Philippines today.  It reads as follows:

Philippines

June 14, 2011

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of terrorist activity in the Philippines, particularly in the Sulu Archipelago and on the island of Mindanao. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur in other areas, to include Manila. Targeted sites may be public gathering places including, but not limited to, airports, shopping malls, conference centers, and other public venues. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated November 2, 2010, and updates specific regions of concern and reflects continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities.