Travel Information From Jersey to Somalia

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Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Cholera

Vaccination may be considered for adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. Areas of active cholera transmission are localized to the regions of Banadir (last case reported August 2021), Bay (last case reported August 2021), Hirshabelle (last case reported May 2022), Lower Shabelle (last case reported August 2021), Middle Shabelle (last case reported in 2021), and Southwest (last case reported May 2022) in Somalia. Cholera is rare in travelers but can be severe. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Somalia. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Somalia.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to Somalia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Polio

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children; the routine series is recommended for unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children and adults and those with unknown vaccination status.

Rabies

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Somalia. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Somalia, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available.
Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include
• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas
Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Somalia.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

You will need 6 months validity remaining on your passport from the date you intend to entry.

Local Phrases Language : Somali

Local Phrases :

Greetings

Hello = salaam alaykum
Good morning = subax wanaagsan
Good afternoon = Galab wanaagsan
Goodbye = nabad galyo
Nice to meet you = kulanti wanaagsan

Conversational

How are you? = sidee tahay?
I am good thank you = waan wanaagsanahay, mahadsanid, adiguna?
What’s your name? = magacaa
My name is … = magacay waa __
Do you speak English? = Ingiriis ma ku hadasha?
Is there someone here who speaks English? = Qof ingiriiska kuhadla majooga halkan ?
I don’t understand = Kuma fahmin adiga

Basics

Yes = haa
No = maya
Please = fadlan
Thank you = mahadsanid
You’re welcome = adaa mudan
Excuse me please (as a question) = iga raali ahow
Wait = sug
Hurry up = dhaqso
Let’s go to = Aan aadno
I want to go to … = waxaan rabaa inaan aado...

Shopping & Eating Out

Restaurant = makhaayad
Do you have? … = ma waxaad leedahay?
Not too spicy = Aad uma basbas
It was delicious = Waxay ahayd macaan
The bill, please = Biilasha, fadlan
How much? = meeqa
Very expensive = qaali ah

Transportation & Directions

Taxi = tagsi
Car = baabuur
Bus = baska
Right = xaq
Left = bidix
Straight = toosan
Stop here = halkaan ku joog

Places

Downtown = magaalada hoose
Street = waddo
Hotel = Hotel
Museum = madxaf
Mall = Mall
Market = Suuqa
Hospital = Isbitaalka
Doctor = Dr
Police = Booliiska
Post office = xafiiska boostada
Bank = Bangiga

Time & Dates

What time is it? = waa imisa saac
Today = Maanta
Tomorrow = berrito
Yesterday = shalay
When? = Goorma?

Emergencies

Where is the toilet? = musqusha/Suuliga aawey?
Help me, please = I caawi
Call an ambulance = Wac ambalaas

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The Federal Government of Somalia has adopted Shari’a law but is yet to implement it throughout the country. Al-Shabaab and other insurgent groups often have an extreme view on the implementation of Shari’a law. Local laws reflect the fact that Somalia (including Somaliland) is predominantly Muslim. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Local laws in Somalia (including Somaliland) prohibit Muslims from converting to another religion and bars the propagation of any religion other than Islam. Homosexual acts (applying to both sexes) are illegal in Somalia (including Somaliland). Be sensitive to local laws and customs and avoid public displays of affection. Drug and alcohol offences, including consumption, possession and trafficking, are treated seriously in Somalia (including Somaliland) and are punishable by law. Punishments in Somaliland were tripled in January 2021 and includes the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence without bail. Khat is a legal drug in Somalia (including Somaliland) but it is an offence to take it out of the country. Bags are regularly searched at Hargeisa and Mogadishu airports and anyone found to be in possession of khat is likely to face criminal prosecution. In Somaliland you must declare to customs officials on entry or exit any cash in excess of $10,000 US dollars (or the equivalent) in foreign currencies.

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Mogadishu

Mogadishu, locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port connecting with traders all round the Indian Ocean for millennia and has an estimated population of 2,388,000.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

Crime in Somalia

The security situation in Somalia is unstable and unpredictable, and there are high levels of crime and violence in many parts of the country. Somalia has been affected by decades of conflict, with ongoing terrorist attacks, piracy, and insurgency.

Crime rates are extremely high in Somalia, and travelers are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to the country. Kidnapping, robbery, and violent crime are common, and there is a high risk of terrorist attacks targeting foreigners.

The piracy threat in the waters off the coast of Somalia is also very high, and maritime vessels are strongly advised to take appropriate security measures and avoid sailing close to the Somali coast.

The Somali authorities have limited capacity to maintain law and order, and the security situation can change rapidly. There are ongoing conflicts between various armed groups, including terrorist organizations, and violence can erupt without warning.

In addition, the healthcare system in Somalia is poor, and there is a high risk of contracting infectious diseases such as cholera and malaria.

Overall, Somalia is considered to be a very high-risk destination for travelers, and all travel to the country should be avoided. If travel to Somalia is absolutely necessary, travelers should seek the advice of their government and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security.

International Driving Permit 1926 is required

• The most common religion in Somalia is Islam.
• Don't wear expensive clothes or shiny jewellery in public - keep a low profile to avoid unwanted attention.
• Don't show love affection at the public - even married couples often walk side by side without holding hands.
• Don't ignore a higher threat of piracy in the territorial and international waters of Somalia - vessels have been attacked at a considerable distance from the Somali coastline.
• Don't photograph military installations, government buildings, key infrastructure or border controls - it’s illegal.
• Don't walk alone if you're a foreign woman, especially at night.
• Don't eat or hand things over with the left hand.
• Don't forget same-sex sexual contact is criminalised in Somalia. Homosexuality is a taboo.
• Don't forget the rainy season extends from May to October in the southwest and from December to February in the northeast.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Somalia?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to Somalia. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare System in Somalia

Healthcare of Somalia is ranked 163rd in the world. Healthcare provision in Somalia is a patchwork of solutions. While the situation has improved since the war, services are often expensive and, unfortunately, not entirely trusted by the public.

Health Risk

Leptospirosis

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Schistosomiasis

Caused by wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated water body.

Dengue

Occurs from insect bites, including mosquitoes.

Chikungunya

Caused by Mosquito bite.

Leishmaniasis

Occurs from sand fly bite.

African Tick-Bite Fever

Caused by Tick bite.

Hantavirus

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.