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Burkina Faso - Consular Information Sheet
October 11, 2000
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Burkina Faso, previously known as
Upper Volta, is a developing West African country that borders
the Sahara Desert. The official language is French. Facilities
for tourism are not widely available.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required.
Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from
the Embassy of Burkina Faso, 2340 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington,
D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 332-5577. There are honorary consuls
for Burkina Faso in Decatur (Georgia), Los Angeles and New Orleans.
Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Burkina Faso
embassy or consulate.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens traveling to and residing
in Burkina Faso are urged to exercise caution and maintain a high
level of security awareness at all times. The capital of Ouagadougou
periodically experiences demonstrations and civil unrest. Although
the demonstrations are generally peaceful, there have been several
incidents of violence and destruction within recent years. U.S.
citizens should avoid crowds, political gatherings and street
demonstrations and contact the consular section of the U.S. Embassy
upon arrival to register and to obtain the latest information
on travel and security.
CRIME INFORMATION: Street crime in Burkina Faso poses
high risks for visitors. Most reported incidents involve purse-snatchers
and street scam artists, who target wallets, jewelry and other
valuables. Thieves are especially active during international
meetings or events, which draw large crowds to the capital. The
areas near and around the U.N. Circle and the Central Market in
Ouagadougou, experience the highest incidence of purse snatchings
and muggings. Travelers should stay alert, remain in groups and
avoid poorly lit areas. Be especially cautious at night.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate. The pamphlets, A
Safe Trip Abroad, and Tips
for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa, provide useful information
on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on
travel in the region in general. Both are available by mail from
the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities and emergency hospital
care are very limited, particularly in areas outside the capital,
Ouagadougou. Some medicines are, however, available through local
pharmacies. Travelers requiring medicines should bring an adequate
supply for the duration of their stay in Burkina Faso.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs
do not provide payment for medical services outside the United
States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment
for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care
overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your
policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation,
and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States
can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Ascertain whether payment
will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you
will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance
policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for
disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas
insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau
of Consular Affairs brochure Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available
via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202)
647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's
Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign
country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ
significantly from those in the United States. The information
below concerning Burkina Faso is provided for general reference
only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location
or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Travelers should exercise great caution when traveling by land
in Burkina Faso. The few roads that exist are in very bad condition.
Most roads are unpaved, narrow, and full of potholes. Road travel
at night is especially dangerous and, if at all possible, should
be avoided. At night, there is a high volume of truck traffic
passing through the country; and pedestrians, bicycles, and carts
pose a major hazard on unlit, unmarked roads.
For
additional information about road safety, see the Department of
State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page road safety overseas
feature at at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial
air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority
to operate such service, between the U.S. and Burkina Faso, the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Burkina
Faso's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international
aviation safety standards for oversight of Burkina Faso's air
carrier operations.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit
the FAA's Internet web
site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/. The U.S. Department
of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers
for suitability as official providers of air services. For information
regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact
DOD at (618) 229-4801.
PHOTOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS: A valid photo permit must be
obtained from the Ministry of Tourism; the Ministry's list of
photo restrictions should be observed. The U.S. Embassy can provide
information on specific photography regulations.
CURRENCY INFORMATION: Credit cards are rarely accepted.
Travelers' checks may be cashed at local banks.
USE OF TELEPHONES: Local telephone service is adequate
but expensive. International calls cannot always be made from
hotels. It is often necessary to make international calls from
a Post and Telecommunications Office, where only local currency
is accepted. Collect calls are not possible.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States
and may not afford the protections available to the individual
under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe
than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Burkina Faso law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested
or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in
illegal drugs in the Burkina Faso are strict and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information on international adoption of children and international
parental child abduction please refer to our Internet site
at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone
(202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION AND EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged
to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou
on Avenue John F. Kennedy, and to obtain updated information on
travel and security in Burkina Faso. The mailing address is 01
B.P. 35, Ouagadougou. The telephone numbers are (226) 30-67-23/24/25;
the fax number is (226) 31-23-68.
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September
14, 1999 to remove Y2K information and to add a section on Criminal
Penalties and Children's issues, and to update the sections on
Safety and Security, Medical Facilities, Medical Insurance and
Crime.
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September
14, 1999 to remove Y2K information and to add a section on Criminal
Penalties and Children's issues, and to update the sections on
Safety and Security, Medical Facilities, Medical Insurance and
Crime.
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