@DavidSecurity

Greetings Expats,

The UK embassy has made a significant update on their Foreign travel advice page under the Terrorism section:

“There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.”

Reasons for concern:  

“On 25 May, security forces arrested 16 individuals with explosives near the southern border with Libya. In a press statement the Minister of the Interior announced that the group had plans to attack industrial sites and tourist areas.”

Threat vs. Reality 

Since 2011 we’ve seen similar alerts & warnings.  As expats we know that there is a wide disconnect between media reports and the actual situation on the ground. We have to review these reports carefully in order to make practical adjustments in our everyday life.

I personally find this update significant because we’re just days away from the summer peak holiday season. Still, most reports indicate that Tunisian Security Forces remain consistent in terms of their response and everyday performance.

Smart (Expat) Traveler  

Every embassy has some sort of registration program that allows its citizens to register their stay.  For Americans the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a “free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate”.

According to their website, the benefits of Enrolling in STEP are:

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

Let’s continue to share information & remain informed.