Duke University Monitoring Situation in Haiti

TO:  Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers
FROM:  Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President of Administration, Emergency Coordinator
Eric Mlyn, Chair, Global Travel Advisory Committee
RE:  Duke University Monitoring Situation in Haiti

Over the last three days, leadership of the Global Travel Advisory Committee (GTAC) has been monitoring the violent protests happening over the government’s plan to significantly increase the price of petrol, kerosene and diesel fuel as part of an International Monetary Fund agreement.

While Haiti maintains a “full country” travel restriction on the Duke’s Restricted Regions List for students who travel abroad with Duke support, travel by faculty and staff has continued as infrastructure is rebuilt following the 2010 earthquake. However, Duke faculty who are familiar with the country have contacted us to recommend that we advise travelers to delay visiting Haiti in the coming days and to check in with those who may be there.

Protestors in Haiti have turned to looting and rioting and reports are that there have been at least four deaths tied to these events. The Haitian government has offered to suspend the price hike; however, reports indicate that the protestors are planning mass walkouts and a two-day strike. Some major airlines have cancelled flights into Port-au-Prince, the capital city, and there are reports that hotels, which house foreign national visitors, have been the target of some of the violence. 

All travelers are strongly encouraged to register their international travel plans at travel.duke.edu, the first resource we turn to when it comes to our providing emergency services and evacuations. If you plan to travel to Haiti or are aware of colleagues in-country, please alert the office of Global Administrative and Travel Support (globaltravel@duke.edu) so we can ensure you and other travelers there know how to reach emergency services and have the latest updates on the situation.

For the latest advice on travel to Haiti visit the Duke’s International SOS portal and select ‘Haiti’ in the country/region dropdown menu.