Medical: Check with your doctor (or if embedded check with the Ministry of Defence) about current risks. Check your jabs are in date at least 4–6 weeks before departing. (Tetanus, Typhoid, polo, diphtheria and measles) Yellow fever vaccination should be considered for travel outside urban areas. Malaria is a potential hazard during June to November except in the high mountainous regions; although the disease is mainly found in rural areas, a risk exists in Kandahar and Jalalabad where agricultural and residential areas overlap. Kabul lies above the malarial zone. You may require anti-malarial precautions. Currently US forces take anti malaria tablets while the UK military do not.
Medical Insurance: It is essential that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Embedded journalists should check with the MoD to confirm what levels are required.
Medical supplies: You should ensure that you have all the prescription medication you require. Carry oral re-hydration salts in case of diarrhoeic disease and other gastrointestinal infections.
International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever: Required if arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting countries with endemic or infected areas.
Passports: You must possess a valid passport with at least six months remaining. Ensure you have two photocopies of your passport ‘photo page’; one to carry and one to leave at the office.
Visas: If embedded than check with the MoD. Even if you do not require one it may be advisable if you return on a civil flight for any reason. Visas are valid for either 3 or 6 months, depending on purpose of visit, from date of issue. Entry visas are not available at Kabul Airport (threat of heavy fines as well as possible deportation from the country). Ensure you have two photocopies of your visa; one to carry and one to leave at the office.
Applying for a visa: The following are required: Company or sponsorship letter with name and address of commissioning firm or person; Application form; Valid passport; One passport-size photo; Fee, payable by cash (except when applying by post), postal order or cheque. Registered self-addressed envelope if replying by post. It takes 2-5 working to be issued.
Visa Cost: Single-entry £30. Double-entry: £40. Multiple-entry either £55 for up to 3 months or £115 for up to 6 months).
Applying for a visa: The following are required: Company or sponsorship letter with name and address of commissioning firm or person; Application form; Valid passport; One passport-
Visa Cost: Single-
Embassy of Afghanistan in the UK: 31 Princes Gate, London SW7 1QQ. Tel: (020) 7589 8891 or 8892 (consular section).Website: www.afghanembassy.co.uk Opening hours: Mon-
Money: Economy operates on a "cash-only" basis for most transactions. The Currency is the Afghani (AFA) = 100 puls. The US Dollar is widely accepted. Take sufficient funds in US dollars in small denomination notes (otherwise you get your change in Afghan). All military bases use US dollars. Credit cards are not widely accepted and don’t bother with Traveller's' cheque's.
Weather: Hot and dry (dusty) in summer. In Southern provinces it is currently over 40° with a hot wind, there is no cooling draft! It is very cold in winter.
Packing: Take loose fitting cotton clothing for summer, with long sleeves and long trousers. Take sensible footwear for rough terrain. A sun hat is essential as are sun glasses and sun screen. Take insect repellent. Take a water container (Camelback type). Take shorts and sandals if living on a military base. You should take your own body armour and helmet in blue (If you are embedded and do not have body armour or helmet then you must flag this up to the MoD in good time). Warm clothing is required in winter. Ideally you should try to travel as light as possible. Too much equipment will make it difficult to travel on military or UN flights.
Packing: Take loose fitting cotton clothing for summer, with long sleeves and long trousers. Take sensible footwear for rough terrain. A sun hat is essential as are sun glasses and sun screen. Take insect repellent. Take a water container (Camelback type). Take shorts and sandals if living on a military base. You should take your own body armour and helmet in blue (If you are embedded and do not have body armour or helmet then you must flag this up to the MoD in good time). Warm clothing is required in winter. Ideally you should try to travel as light as possible. Too much equipment will make it difficult to travel on military or UN flights.
Body Armour: Some Middle Eastern countries are confiscating body-armour so check with countries of transit before departure. We have been told that if you require a set then Peter Juvenal at the Gandamack Lodge in Kabul hires to journalists.
Visiting: Before departing the UK make arrangements to visit any large hotel or Lodge as security levels make it difficult both to find and enter these locations without prior agreement.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION THEN CONTACT THE OPS MANAGER (EMAIL ADDRESS AT TOP OF THIS PAGE)
The following information is taken from Chiron Afghanistan brief dated 09 October 2006. If you would like more information about Afghanistan then please contact the Operations manager for a full brief. An example of the content can be found via this link:
