Armed conflict

Last Updated
Friday, 27/09/2024

 

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Know the risk before you go

Conflict can make the security situation in a country volatile and threaten your safety. Armed conflict can happen at any time and escalate rapidly.

If you travel somewhere with a risk of armed conflict, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates. Flights can change or be stopped at short notice. Roads and borders can close. You should not rely on the Australian Government to evacuate you.

Where and when armed conflict can happen

Be aware of current events where you're going. Including in the surrounding region. Armed conflict can be more likely around elections or political upheaval.

Read the travel advice for your destination and subscribe for updates. If there is a known risk of conflict, we'll include it in the 'Safety' section and in many cases reflect it in the advice level. Our advice levels may be set at:

What to do if armed conflict is threatened or has broken out

Jump to a section:

  1. Make sure you're safe
  2. Stay in contact
  3. Follow instructions
  4. Make plans to leave
  5. If you can't leave or choose not to, shelter in place
  6. Stay updated

Make sure you're safe

Your safety should be your number one priority.

  • Stay in a safe place and limit your movements. If you need to go out, take careful personal security measures.
  • Be alert and aware of what's around you, especially in large crowds.
  • Keep a low profile. Avoid standing out or looking like a tourist.
  • Have a hardcopy list of emergency contacts on you.
  • Avoid areas where protests or large crowds are gathering.
  • Avoid areas with a large number of armed forces.
  • If you notice something suspicious, leave the area immediately.
  • Don't take photos of armed forces or local authorities.

In some conflicts, armed forces may check travellers' phones and laptops at checkpoints. Check the information you're storing on your devices, including photos and social media accounts. Avoid anything that will link you to political causes or social views.

Stay in contact

Let your family and friends know where you are as soon as possible. If they know about the conflict, they'll be worried about you.

Don't wait. You may not be able to later. Especially if communication services go down in the conflict. Local authorities may turn off phone services or block the internet to control the flow of information.

Follow instructions

Always follow instructions from the local authorities unless we advise you not to do so in our travel advisory.

Try to avoid situations where you engage with armed forces. If you have to, do as they say. You could risk your safety if you don't. They may use force or detain you. The Australian Government can't get you out of jail.

Make plans to leave

It's up to you whether you stay or leave. The Australian Government can't make decisions for you.

But if we advise Australians to leave, take our advice seriously. You're putting yourself at serious risk if you choose to stay.

If you want to leave, go early. Don't wait for help from the Government or evacuation flights. Conflict may escalate to a point where it's no longer safe to leave.

Getting ground transport away from your location

Travelling by road can be hard during conflict. Authorities may block roads or set up checkpoints.

Before you leave your accommodation:

  • make sure it's safe around you
  • find out what your options are and if any roads are closed
  • try to organise transport in advance if possible
  • if you're leaving with a group, have a plan to meet up if you get separated and communications are down.

Getting flights out of the country

Contact your airline or travel agent. Take any available flight you can. If you turn down a flight, you may not have another chance. Tickets will be in short supply and in high demand.

  • Airlines often cancel flights to locations affected by armed conflict, especially if it threatens the airport.
  • Local authorities may shut the airport down or declare a no-fly zone.
  • Opposing forces may take over the airport.

If you can't leave or choose not to, shelter in place

If it's unsafe to leave, or you choose not to, prepare to shelter in place.

  • Gather supplies. Think about cash, torches, radios, batteries, medication, non-perishable food and bottled water. Have enough to last you several days. Avoid going out as much as possible.
  • Prepare a bag with essential items for immediate travel if you're forced to evacuate.
  • Know where your identity documents are, including your passport. Keep them safe and close by.
  • If you're in an apartment, know the emergency exits.

If you're told to evacuate an area, do it as quickly and safely as possible. Take official warnings seriously.

Stay updated

  • Follow the news and check social media.
  • Listen for new threats.
  • Take official warnings seriously.
  • Listen to what local authorities tell you unless we advise otherwise.
  • Subscribe to Smartraveller and check your emails often. We'll email you if we update the travel advice or advice level.

In more severe conflicts, staying updated can get tricky. Some places might cut off all communication, including internet and mobile phone service. Sometimes, they'll only block certain websites and social media.

Get information while you can. Especially in places with a history of blocking communication during conflict or unrest.

Where to get help

Local authorities, if safe

We publish local emergency contacts in the 'Local contacts' section of the travel advice for each destination.

Local hospitals

If you're injured, get medical care. Go to the nearest hospital. If you can, choose a hospital away from any conflict.

Your accommodation manager

They may have local knowledge about what's happening and advice on staying safe.

Travel companions

Stay together. Look after each other. Share information that will help others stay safe during the conflict.

Family and friends back home

They may be able to help book your flights home or loan you money.

Your airline

Call your airline if you need to change your flight. You may have to pay to change it. They may have a policy on flight changes when there's a crisis.

Your travel agent

They may be able to help you get transport out of the country.

Travel insurance

Most travel insurers have a 24-hour helpline you can call.

Most travel insurance policies cover cancellations and changed plans if there's a crisis. But you may not be covered if your location is level 3 or 4.

How the Australian Government may help

To contact the Australian Government in an emergency:

You can also contact us if you have concerns for the safety of Australian family or friends affected by a crisis overseas.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help you overseas. It's important to understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter for what we can and can't do. The local embassy or consulate staff may evacuate if the situation becomes too unsafe.

What we can do

  • We can update the travel advice for your destination to reflect what's happening.
  • We can give you a list of local hospitals with doctors who speak English if you need medical care.
  • We can help you contact your relatives or friends with your consent.
  • We can give emergency consular help. Understand how and when. Read the Consular Services Charter.
  • We can launch a crisis response when we know Australians are, or could be, affected.

What we can't do

  • We can't guarantee your safety and security in another country.
  • We can't give you personal security services.
  • We can't get you out of jail or detention.
  • We can't force local authorities to act.
  • We can't make decisions for you or make you leave a country.
  • We can't book your travel or guarantee flights out.
  • We can't give you legal or medical advice.

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