The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consider carefully all travel to Haiti. Travel fully supported by organizations with solid infrastructure, evacuation options, and medical support systems in place is recommended and preferable to travel in country without such support structures in place. U.S. citizens traveling to Haiti without such support have found themselves in danger in the past.

U.S. citizens have been victims of violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, in Port-au-Prince. Some kidnapping victims have been physically abused, sexually assaulted, shot, and even killed. No one is safe from kidnapping, regardless of occupation, nationality, race, gender, or age. In a number of cases this past year, travelers arriving in Port-au-Prince on flights from the United States were attacked and robbed shortly after departing the airport. At least two U.S. citizens were shot and killed in such incidents. Haitian authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate such violent acts, or prosecute perpetrators.

The Haitian National Police (HNP), with assistance from UN Police (UN Pol), are responsible for keeping peace in Haiti and rendering assistance during times of civil unrest. However, given the possibility and unpredictability of violent protests, the ability of HNP and UN Pol to come to the aid of U.S. citizens in distress during disturbances is very limited. The U.S. Embassy does not have the capacity or infrastructure to evacuate U.S. citizens and relies on the HNP to provide assistance. U.S. citizens in Haiti must therefore have well-prepared security plans, including a location to shelter in place stocked with provisions, and a private evacuation strategy given the possibility that violent disruptions could, as in the recent past, make it impossible for them to circulate freely.

The January 12, 2010 earthquake significantly damaged key infrastructure and greatly reduced the capacity of Haiti's medical facilities. Despite the passage of time, Haiti's infrastructure remains in very poor condition, unable to support normal activity, much less crisis situations. Medical facilities are particularly weak. Last year's cholera outbreak – exacerbated by inadequate public sanitation – killed thousands of Haitians, further straining the capacity of medical facilities and personnel and undermining their ability to attend to emergencies. While no longer at peak levels, cholera persists in many areas of Haiti and the risk of contracting it remains. Some U.S. citizens injured in accidents and others with serious health concerns have been unable to find necessary medical care in Haiti and have had to arrange and pay for medical evacuation to the United States. The cost of these evacuations exceeds $15,000 USD, on average, and the U.S. Embassy does not have the assets to evacuate U.S. citizens or to pay for their evacuation.

The Haitian Constitution does not currently acknowledge dual citizenship. Haitian-Americans are therefore treated as Haitian citizens, and the U.S. Embassy is not normally notified of issues affecting them, nor are consular officials guaranteed access to such individuals. 

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