Here's some travel advice to keep you informed and safe when it comes
to travel to Algeria...
Terrorism
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 Algeria at this time because of the very high threat of terrorist attack. We receive regular reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners, as well as premises and symbols associated with the Algerian Government. Increasing calls to abduct foreigners point to a growing threat against targets frequented by foreigners or government officials in the region. Terrorists have in the past mounted attacks on significant dates and anniversaries, but attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. There is an ongoing and renewed risk of terrorist attack in Algeria.
Algerian terrorist groups have been fighting to overthrow the Algerian government since 1992. In September 2006, the best known of these groups, the Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), formalised its links with al-Qa'ida and its terrorist agenda and announced in early 2007 that it had renamed itself 'al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb'(AQIM). In June 2004, the group formally identified foreigners as a legitimate target, having already kidnapped a group of 30 foreign tourists in 2003 in the desert and mountainous regions of south-eastern Algeria. AQIM/the GSPC has claimed responsibility for a number of small-scale attacks in Algeria and in neighbouring countries throughout 2006 and 2007.
There is a risk of kidnap by terrorists in Algeria and throughout North Africa. On 22 February 2008, terrorists kidnapped two Austrian tourists in neighbouring Tunisia.
A car bomb attack on 29 January 2008 targeted a police station in Thenia, 50km east of Algiers. A number of people were killed or injured. On 2 January 2008, four people were killed and 12 injured in a car bomb attack outside the regional police headquarters in Naciria in the Boumerdes region, 120km east of Algiers.
On 11 December 2007, two bombs exploded in the centre of Algiers, one near the Constitutional Court of Algiers in the Bean Aknoun district and the other near outside the United Nations Commission for Refugees in Hydra district killing and injuring a large number of people.
On 21 September 2007, a bomb attack in Bouira, 70km south-east of Algiers, injured nine people including three foreign nationals. On 8 September 2007, a suicide car bomb targeting a naval barracks in Dellys, 70km east of Algiers, killed at least 28 people and injured over 60 people. On 6 September 2007, a suicide bomber in the city of Batna killed at least 20 people and injured over 100 people. These attacks highlight the very high threat of terrorism at this time.
On 11 April 2007, several bombings occurred in Algiers, targeting government offices and a local police station. The attacks killed over 30 and injured many. Further attacks are possible. Australians are advised to avoid any unnecessary movement and maintain extreme caution in the capital at this time.
On 3 March 2007, two roadside bombs detonated as a bus carrying foreign oil contractors was passing near the town of Ain Defia. On 11 December 2006, two buses carrying foreign oil contractors were targeted in a bomb and gun attack at Bouchaoui, west of Algiers. These attacks highlight the ongoing security risks to foreign oil workers in Algeria.
On 4 March 2007 seven Algerian police officers were killed near Beni Yeni in the eastern Kabylie region. On 13 February 2007, seven coordinated bomb attacks against Algerian security installations took place in Bourmerdes district, 50 kms east of the capital, and in Tizi Ouzou district, 100kms east of Algiers, in the Kabylie region. A statement claiming responsibility for the attacks by al-Qa'ida was received by several news agencies in Dubai. Previously, bomb attacks have taken place in the Boumerdes region in May, June, August and October 2006. Travellers should be aware they could inadvertently be caught up in such security incidents.
Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you are comfortable travelling to Algeria knowing that you could be caught up in a terrorist attack or banditry. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Algeria you should exercise extreme caution.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include Algerian government offices, clubs, restaurants, embassies and high commissions, international schools, international hotels, expatriate housing compounds, churches and other places of worship, shopping centres, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and shipping and transport infrastructure, ports, airports and aircraft, security installations and police stations, petroleum and electrical infrastructure and installations or identifiably Western interests including businesses.
Australians in Algeria should ensure they have appropriate personal security protection measures in place.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
Travellers should avoid all protests and demonstrations which can occur throughout the country. Protests in the Kabylie region have turned violent in the past. A state of emergency decree remains in force throughout Algeria. This may have implications for public meetings and gatherings.
Crime
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft from motor vehicles has increased in recent years, especially in large cities such as Algiers and Oran. Crime levels are higher after dark. Deserted beach areas should be avoided, even during daylight hours, because of the threat of banditry and carjacking.
Local Travel
We strongly recommend you stay at international hotels which provide a high level of security.
You should reconsider your need to travel by road east of Algiers to the districts of Boumerdes, Tizi Ouzou and Bejaia, and south-west of Algiers to the districts of Blida, Medea and Ain Defla due to security concerns.
Travel by road between major cities should not be undertaken at night due to the risk of attack and robbery. Bandits may use illegal checkpoints and blockades on roads to stop vehicles, including buses.
The land border between Algeria and Morocco is currently closed. There are reports of unexploded landmines in the area of Algeria bordering Western Sahara. Mines have been known to shift in sandstorms.
The border areas with Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali are known to be frequented by bandits and armed smugglers. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be planning to kidnap foreigners travelling between Algeria and Mali.
Airline Safety
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate
Algeria is in an active seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife Watching
Australians are advised 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.
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 Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
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 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
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 Algeria, 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.
Penalties for possession of illegal drugs, including soft drugs, include imprisonment.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Algeria and penalties include imprisonment.
Photography of military or sensitive sites, including military or security personnel, may lead to arrest and detention.
Serious crime, such as murder or treason, may attract the death penalty.
In Algeria it is against the law to attempt to convert Muslims to another faith or to distribute material that may be seen by local authorities as an attempt to convert Muslims to another faith.
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 Algeria and you should take care not to offend. You should avoid wearing short-sleeved garments and shorts and physical contact between men and women in public.
The normal work week in Algeria is Saturday to Wednesday.
Information for Dual Nationals
Algeria does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Algerian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Algerian dual national males may be subject to compulsory military service and other obligations when in Algeria and should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Algeria, well in advance of travel.
Children born of an Algerian father automatically acquire Algerian citizenship at birth. Child custody decisions are based on local religious laws Australians involved in custody and other family disputes should consult a lawyer before they leave Australia for advice on the impact of religious law on their family circumstances, including their departure from Algeria.
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 Algeria for the most up to date information.
Health Issues
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, 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.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about 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 standard of medical facilities in Algeria varies. Public medical services and facilities in the capital, Algiers, vary from adequate to limited. Private medical facilities, especially in the capital, Algiers, are generally better equipped than public facilities and can meet normal international accreditation standards. Medical facilities in remote areas, including mountainous and desert regions, can be very limited or non-existent. Travellers may wish to consider carrying limited medical supplies for personal use. Foreigners will be required to pay an up-front deposit for medical services.
In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities such as Marseille or Paris in France would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation could cost between $A7,000 to $A50, 000.
Insect-borne diseases (such as leishmaniasis and West Nile fever) are prevalent in Algeria. Malaria is a risk in a small area in Illizi Province. We encourage you to take measures to avoid insect bites including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, polio, plague, hepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis (bilharzia). 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. 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.
This Advice was issued on Saturday, 29 March 2008, 14:49:35, EST.
Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
If you're gonna travel abroad, make sure you are prepared... take it from us, travel insurance is an absolute must!
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