Specialising in safety awareness training, travel safety and security advice for a wide range of professionals and individuals prior to their travels.
November 17, 2024
The FCDO is currently advising against all travel to Syria, Yemen, Iran and much of isreal and also has area travel warnings for many countries in the region. Whilst many parts such as the UAE, Egypt and Jordan are generally stable and prosperous, this is not the case other areas. On 7th October 2023 Hamas launched a major ground attack against israel settlements and launched hundreds of rockets. Whilst the Lebanon remains in a state of political paralysis and is struggling to recover from the August 2020 port explosion. In Iran the situation has settled down following the 2022 mass demonstrations but in the long term the grip of the Mullahs seems to have been weakened. President Raisi died in a helpicopter crash in May 2024 and in June Masoud Pezeshkian was elected. He is viewed as being a more moderate but probably doesn't hold much influence. Iran remains a major influence in the whole middle east Israel/ Hezbollah/ Hamas power play
At least 34,000 people were killed in the February 2023 earthquake on the Turkish/Syrian border.
Current highlights:
November 18, 2024
Prior to travel to the Americas, it's vital to check the Covid entry requiements, the FCDO website is a good starting point. Most countries require proof of double vaccination and the completion of a health entry form.
The crime rates in many Latin American cities is higher than in Europe and since the covid pandemic, many countries continue to face economic unrest. Inflation is very high in Argentina and Brazil is in a state of political unrest following the November 2022 election. In early December 2022, the Peru President Castillo was impeached and outsted from office leading to widespread street protests. Ecuador remains unstable due to gang violence and political instability.
Current highlights:
View our April 2023 South America Briefing
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November 18, 2024
Travel to the Indian sub-continent is relatively easy provided it is well planned. There are a multitude of different entry requirements and safety and security is an issue in a number of areas such as Kashmir and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Throughout the region, the risk greatest risks are from road traffic accidents and pollution in urban areas. Myanmar (Burma) continues under military rule with sporadic protests and Sri Lanka is beginning to stabilise both politically and economically following the ousting of the Rajapaska presidency. Pakistan is politically and economically unstable and also threatened by growing violence in the NW from the TTP (Tehreek - e - Taliban Pakistan) Islamist group. This group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Peshawar on 30 January 2023 which killed over 100 security forces officers and associates.
Current Highlights:
November 18, 2024
Travel to the Chinese mainland for toursim and some busienesses opened up again on 15 March '23. The region is generally easy and safe for both the business and recreational traveller, apart from Myanmar which remains unstable following the military coup of Febrary 2021. The military have systematically crushed civil resistance and the FCDO is currently advising against all but essential to Myanmar except for Yangon. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand remain relativley stable and present no significant issues to travellers. UK citizens can generally enter viasa free for short stays. In recentweeks Tjailand has become less politically stabel as the military & courts try to disrupt the power of rthe civilain government. We asses that Thailand is heading for increased political turbulance
Current highlights:
November 17, 2024
Travellers to the USA and Canada must ensure they have the correct entry permissions/documents. For the USA, most visitors will be able to enter on an ESTA, however, those who have travelled to USA restricted countries such as Yemen, Iraq and Iran must obtain a visa.
The USA is certainly a more challenging country than Canada due to the ever-increasing political divide and the racial and religious tensions and threat of gun violence including mass shootings which can occur in schools, cinemas and shopping areas.
Current Highlights:
November 19, 2024
A range of risks occur for travellers, the top three are generally from crime, road traffic accidents (RTA's), disease and illness. In most of the large South American and African countries, crime will be the main risk. In South East Asia, it would be road traffic accidents and more recently, urban pollution.
The best sources of global news are the BBC, Reuters, The Economist and The Guardian. Currently the war in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza conflict is focusing world attention. Russia is increasing its global voice with a despotic informal alliance with N Korea and Iran at a time that the USA is racked by infernal divisions and distraction of the 2024 presidential election. China continue to asert it's global presence. Across the globe there are neasrly 60 country elections planned so potentially 2024 will be a year of even greater geo political flux.
READ MORENovember 18, 2024
Written by James Gaslee.
As with most things of importance, this began at Ascot when I mentioned to Charlie McGrath that if he needed someone to help him with one of his Ukraine trips then I would be keen. Now this may have happened towards the end of lunch; oh Pol Roger, how many of my decisions have you been responsible for! A few weeks later, Charlie got in touch and said we were on, he had identified a suitable freezer van and was already collecting medical and rehabilitation equipment to fill it. The next stage was to raise the money and thank you to all those who donated.
The Ukrainian charity being supported is called Mercy and Health Foundation which is run by an extraordinary Ukrainian doctor, Olexsandr Yatsyna, who is supporting numerous projects from the mental and physical rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen to the provision of water through drilling boreholes.
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