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Suzie's Blogs ...Traveling & Living Abroad Hints & Tips |
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Suzie's Blogs ... Traveling & Living Abroad Hints & Tips |
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DRC is the largest sub-Saharan African country. Although DRC has substantial human and natural resources, in recent years, the country has suffered a profound political and economic crisis. This has resulted in the dramatic deterioration of the physical infrastructure of the country, insecurity and an increase in crime in urban areas (including occasional episodes of looting and murder in Kinshasa’s streets.) There has also been occasional official hostility to U.S. citizens, U.S. interests and nationals of European countries; periodic shortages of basic needs such as gasoline; chronic shortages of medicine and supplies for some basic medical care; hyperinflation and corruption. In some urban areas, malnutrition and starvation are acute. Tourism facilities are minimal. A visa and vaccination certificate, showing valid yellow fever immunization, are required for entry. Medical facilities are extremely limited. Medicine is in short supply. Most intercity roads are difficult or impassable in the rainy season. Government permission is required for travel outside Kinshasa. Credit cards are generally not accepted, except by a few major hotels and restaurants. Photography of public buildings and/or military installations is forbidden, including photography of the banks of the Congo River. Offenders may be arrested, held for a minimum of several hours, fined and the film and camera may also be confiscated. Armed groups operate in parts of the DRC outside government control. These groups have been responsible for pillaging, vehicle thefts, carjackings, extrajudicial settling of differences, ethnic tensions and continued military/paramilitary operations. Travelers in these areas run the risk of attack or detention. Have yourselves a wonderful day! Suzie Suzie's Travel Blog Posted: Thursday 3rd March 2005, 12:18 AM |