Liberia

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

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Travel advice for this country

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Travel Summary

We advise against all but essential travel to areas of Liberia outside the capital, Monrovia. You should be aware that the ability of the national authorities and the UN to provide emergency assistance outside Monrovia is limited and it is recommended that you do not travel overnight outside Monrovia. You should not travel to Liberia unless you have made adequate security arrangements with a reliable organisation in advance of your arrival. You should also check the security situation before travelling to any part of the country.
Violent crime is prevalent in Monrovia, particularly after dark. We recommend that you do not walk anywhere in Monrovia at night. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
There is no British Embassy in Liberia. The British Government has limited ability to assist British nationals in Liberia. The British Ambassador to Liberia resides in Freetown, Sierra Leone. See the General (Representation) section of this advice for more details.
Demonstrations anywhere in the country can quickly become violent. The Liberia National Police supported by UN peacekeepers will respond to any public order incidents. You should avoid large crowds. See the Political Situation section of this advice for more details.
Most British visitors to Liberia are working for the UN or international NGOs. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Liberia in 2007 was for replacing lost or stolen passports.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance .

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

There is a significant level of crime in Monrovia - including violent crime. The Liberian National Police has very limited capability to prevent or detect crime, or to provide emergency response in any part of the country. Levels of crime are much higher after dark, and we recommend that you do not walk anywhere in the city at night. You should avoid walking alone at any time.

Most crime is opportunistic theft, although there are some more organised criminal gangs. Thieves are often armed with knives or machetes, but occasionally also carry firearms. While Liberians are the main victims of crime, the relative wealth of international visitors makes them an attractive target for criminals when the opportunity arises. You should avoid carrying valuables in public and be vigilant at all times, especially at night.

There have been incidents of muggings of foreigners in the Mamba Point and Sinkor areas of Monrovia, where most international visitors stay. Criminals also operate in other areas frequented by foreigners, such as nightclubs and beaches. Accommodation occupied by international workers has occasionally been targeted by burglars. Thefts have occurred in taxis, and you are advised not to use local public transport.

There is a high incidence of rape in Liberia and there have been a number of rapes and attempted rapes involving expatriate women. For more information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

You are advised to consider your security arrangements carefully before your arrival in Liberia. You should ensure that you are supported by a reliable organisation with a comprehensive and adequate security plan. You should stay only in reputable accommodation with adequate guarding and other security arrangements, and arrange for transport for the duration of your stay, including travel to and from the airport.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Liberia Country Profile

The security situation in Liberia has improved following the end of conflict in 2003. Following elections in October and November 2005, a democratically-elected Liberian government is working closely with the UN and the international community to provide increased stability and development.

UN Peacekeepers from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) are deployed to the main population centres around Liberia, and patrol the principal roads. They have the ability to deploy in any part of the country in response to any public order incidents or other threat to security. However, some more remote areas of the country may be patrolled only irregularly under normal conditions.

The security situation remains volatile. Localised protests over political developments, salaries or working conditions can quickly turn into violent demonstrations. You should avoid all crowds. The local security authorities, supported by UNMIL, respond to outbreaks of public disorder. In recent instances, demonstrations have dispersed with only low level violence.

Following the end of the conflict, a large number of weapons were collected through a voluntary disarmament programme, and the carrying of firearms other than hunting weapons is now banned.

On 8 May 2008 a land dispute in Maryland in the south-east of Liberia led to large-scale demonstrations in Harper and inter-ethnic violence resulting in two deaths. Eighteen people were charged with murder. The Government has despatched a high level Ministerial Team to negotiate with the protestors and UNMIL have deployed UN Police to Maryland to support the Liberia National Police and restore calm.

Violent incidents, particularly in rural areas, are also possible as a result of land disputes, illegal mining and occupation of rubber plantations. Illegal rubber tappers have been responsible for a number of attacks on security forces in the Firestone rubber plantation, and you are advised to avoid travelling away from the major routes within the plantation. Organised groups of former combatants may be present in some inaccessible areas of the country with limited government and UNMIL presence, including Sinoe rubber plantation and Sapo National Park.

On 17 November 2007 a dispute with local communities over the expansion of the LAC rubber plantation in Grand Bassa county led to the fatal shooting of the plantation manager, a Belgian national. The murder is under investigation, and a number of arrests have been made, but tensions remain high. UNMIL has increased its patrols in the area of the plantation, but there is a possibility of further disturbances and we recommend that you avoid the area.

The political and security situation in some neighbouring countries is volatile. We advise against all but essential travel to areas of Liberia outside the capital, Monrovia. However, should you decide to travel outside Monrovia you should exercise particular caution if travelling in areas bordering Ivory Coast. Check the Travel Advice and latest situation in any countries that you will be transiting on your way to/from Liberia.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to areas of Liberia outside the capital, Monrovia, and in particular against spending the night outside Monrovia. UNMIL and the local security services are less able to offer assistance outside the capital. The availability of secure accommodation in most towns and in rural areas is very limited. Medical facilities are even more basic than in Monrovia, and in many areas non-existent.

Many organisations, including the UN and the US Embassy, impose restrictions on staff travel outside Monrovia. If you decide to travel outside Monrovia, you should avoid travelling alone, particularly at night and to secluded places.

You should not travel to Liberia unless you have made adequate security arrangements with a reliable organisation in advance of your arrival. You should also check the security situation before travelling to any part of the country, for example on UNMIL radio 91.5 FM.

You should be prepared to stop at checkpoints operated by UNMIL, the Liberian National Police, or other Liberian security authorities, which are found on roads throughout the country. You should also immediately pull over to the side of the road when instructed by security forces accompanying VIP convoys.

You should be aware that the Samuel K Doe Stadium in Monrovia can become overcrowded during major football matches or events. On 1 June 2008, eight people were reported killed due to serious overcrowding during Liberia’s qualifier match against The Gambia for the 2010 World Cup.

The rainy season (May to November) makes travel to outlying areas particularly difficult and hazardous.

Roberts International Airport is around 30 miles from central Monrovia. There is no reliable public transport between the airport and the city centre. You should arrange for private transport in advance of arrival.

Public transport (including taxis) may be neither reliable nor safe. You are advised not to use local public transport.

Road Travel

Road conditions are generally poor. Apart from a small number of major roads in central Monrovia, all roads are unlit.

The roads from Monrovia to Roberts International Airport, to the border with Sierra Leone at Bo Waterside, and to the border with Guinea at Ganta are paved and in reasonable condition. Most other roads outside Monrovia are unpaved. Driving and road conditions deteriorate significantly during the rainy season (May to November), and some roads may become impassable.

You should make precautionary arrangements for dealing with breakdowns with the general security situation in mind, including considering travel with more than one vehicle. Traffic accidents can quickly draw hostile crowds, who may attempt to take justice into their own hands.

The standard of driving is generally poor. If driving yourself, you should be particularly alert to dangers from other vehicles swerving to avoid potholes and from taxis slowing or stopping unpredictably to pick up or drop off passengers.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.

Any airline from outside the EU or European Economic area, which wishes to pick up or put down passengers or cargo in the UK, requires a permit from the Secretary of State. It is a condition of the permit that the airline should be operated in accordance with international safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. No airline registered in Liberia currently has a permit to land in the UK.

There are currently no commercial operators of domestic flights within Liberia.

An UNMIL cargo helicopter crashed near to Ganta in northern Liberia on 2 November. The cause of the crash is not yet known and is under investigation. UNMIL has resumed flights of its civilian helicopters following safety checks.

Following the October 2005 crash (cause unknown) of a Boeing 737 operated by Bellview Airlines en route from Lagos to Abuja (killing all 117 passengers and crew) and a more recent emergency landing (hydraulic failure) by another Bellview operated Boeing 737, the airline was grounded for a week by Nigerian authorities. We advise that these incidents are taken into consideration when planning any regional travel in West Africa.

River and Sea Travel

Liberia has many attractive beaches, but the Atlantic Ocean can be unpredictable and subject to rip tides and other dangerous currents. Swimmers should take care and consult local advice before entering the water.

Local laws and customs

You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. The import of arms is prohibited by UN sanctions. If you commit criminal offences, including drug trafficking and diamond smuggling you can expect to be subjected to local law. There are heavy penalties for those convicted. Local prison conditions are harsh.

Homosexuality is illegal in Liberia.

You should carry photographic identification with you at all times, and may be asked to produce it at any time by immigration officials or the police.

For more general information see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Adoption

The government office responsible for adoptions in Liberia is the Ministry of Justice. All petitions for adoption are filed in the Probate Court, which issues a decree of adoption if all legal requirements are met.

Adoption orders from Liberia are not recognised in the UK. Liberian nationals require visas to enter the UK. If you are returning to live in the UK, you will need to apply for entry clearance for the child as a child coming for adoption in the UK.

A UN report published in March 2007 expressed concern about shortcomings in Liberian national regulation and central oversight of adoption, as well as the lack of implementation of international standards.

Entry requirements

Visas

All British nationals require a visa to enter Liberia. Visas must be obtained before arrival.

Passports

You should ensure that your passport is valid for the full duration of your stay in Liberia.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certifications

You need to show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate when entering Liberia.

Registration of Residents

If you are intending to reside in Liberia, you are required to register after your arrival with the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (Broad Street, Monrovia). Short term visitors are not required to register with the BIN.

Exit Tax

A departure tax of US$40 is payable in cash at the airport. Exact change is required.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country.

Health

Hospitals and medical facilities throughout Liberia are poorly equipped. There are no emergency services. Blood supplies are unreliable and unsafe, and medication is scarce. There is no effective public or commercial Accident and Emergency or Ambulance service anywhere in the country. You should carry basic medical supplies.

Waterborne diseases, malaria and other tropical diseases are common in Liberia; there have been outbreaks of yellow fever. There are seasonal and sporadic outbreaks of cholera, normally associated with poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean drinking water.

In January 2008 there was a significant cholera outbreak in the south east of the country (Maryland, Grand Kru and River Gee counties). You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Liberia you should seek immediate medical attention.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Liberia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for medical treatment and evacuation (medical facilities in Liberia are poor), accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage.

For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money

Credit cards are not accepted in Liberia and very few outlets will accept travellers' cheques. There are no cash machines/ATMs, and foreign exchange and banking facilities are extremely limited. Western Union has a number of agents in Liberia who are able to transfer money from the UK, although there are very few outside Monrovia. You should bring sufficient funds, in US Dollars cash, to cover all expenses.