Somalia

Cholera and Polio remain a major problem in Somalia.

These emergency numbers can be unreliable. The Somali Red Crescent operates a free number for all emergency services on 446.

The proximity of attacks has spread and taken place off Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Madagascar. Pirates are believed to be using mother vessels to launch attacks at very far distances from the coast, with some attacks taking place up to 600 n.m. from the coast. Two attacks occurred beyond the recommended Long. 060° E. Pirates have been known to operate in/near to positions 00° 43.70′ S, 061° 57.80′ E and 00° 29.00′ N, 063° 12.00′ E, approx. 1,000–1,100 n.m. east of Mogadishu.

Vessels are advised to keep more than 600 n.m. from the coastline and, when routeing north/south, to keep east of Long. 60° 00′ E until east of the Seychelles.

In view of the recent attacks, all vessels are advised, when proceeding to/from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia to consider routeing south of Lat. 10° 00′ S and east of Long. 060° 00′ E, avoiding the area between the Somali coast and north and west of the Seychelles. A 24-hour visual and radar watch must be maintained as early sightings/detection and accurate assessment will allow Masters to take evasive action and increase speed and, at the same time request for assistance and escape.

Due to the unprecedented number of Somali pirate incidents, the IMB calls for all Masters transiting the Gulf of Aden, southern Red Sea, off Oman, east coast of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Madagascar to report all sightings of suspected pirate mother ships to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. This vital intelligence will then be used to identify and target the mother ships. This will enable appropriate action to be taken in response.

Within the VRA there is a high-risk area (HRA) as follows:

The IRTC includes the creation of eastbound and westbound transit lanes. Each lane has width 5.0 n.m. with a 2.0 n.m. buffer zone separating eastbound and westbound lanes. The IRTC has the following coordinates:

Group transits have been designed to put ships into different speed groups in order to exploit the additional protection and assurance of being in a group. The times for different groups to enter the IRTC are calculated so that they pass through the area of statistically greatest danger, between long. 47° E and 49° E, at night and ensure that all ships, regardless of speed, are together at first light. This allows the military forces in the area to best position their assets in the area to protect ships against piracy and give assistance in case of attack.

Timing of transit groups as follows:

Masters of vessels using the IRTC, and those following group transits, are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24-hour lookout using all available means to get early warnings of an approaching threat.

Masters are also advised to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16, 8 and 72. Warships make advisory calls, ``Securite'' broadcasts, to announce their location and in turn will also listen for merchant ships calling them.

Vessels are encouraged to report their positions by email and the UKMTO website eForms at 0800 UTC whilst operating in the UKMTO VRA. Reporting can also be done through MSCIO (see below).

The Voluntary Reporting Scheme (VRS) form can be obtained from Admiralty Chart Q6099 and in the annex of BMP5 (Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea).

The merchant VRS is established to increase security and provide anti-piracy support to maintain the freedom of navigation to all vessels in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Merchant vessels operating in these areas are strongly encouraged to report and liaise with UKMTO (and/or MSCIO) whilst transiting the VRA. Any vessel, owner, operator or manager choosing not to report may delay any military assistance in the event of an incident as military assets may not be expecting the ship and valuable information may not be available.

The scheme is free to participate in, and vessels of any flag or ownership are invited to participate. All information is treated in strict commercial confidence and only used within military circles.

Submitted BMP Reporting Forms will be shared with the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO). Sharing this information encourages integration between maritime centres to combat piracy and other illicit activities at sea.

General T: +44 (2392) 222065. [email protected]

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) - Dubai: T: +971 50189. 8389.

Alternatively, the forms can be downloaded, filled in and sent to [email protected] or F: +44 (1923) 956575.

Localised flooding may prevent you from getting to some parts of Somalia, including Somaliland.

In Hargeisa (Republic of Somaliland) you can withdraw US dollars from ATMs using international credit and debit cards.

The humanitarian situation in Somalia has led to a large displacement of people, and a growth in refugee camps which are overpopulated. Food and health insecurity has led to an increase in crime, particularly around the refugee camps.

Political and community-based violence is common across Somalia, including Somaliland, and can flare up with little warning. Take care in public places where people gather. Monitor local and international media to help you avoid areas where demonstrations, protests, large crowds or disturbances are taking place. Leave any area of unrest quickly and do not attempt to watch or photograph it.

Travelling by road in Somalia is dangerous and you should get advice from a security firm or a sponsoring organisation. Government forces, militias and other armed groups operate checkpoints on roads across Somalia. Exercise extreme caution when passing checkpoints and closely follow the instructions given by police and military personnel.

The drinking and sale of alcohol is banned in Somalia.