Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Shelter in Place (December 11, 2015)

Friday, December 11, 2015

Due to ongoing reports of sustained gunfire and explosions in several parts of Bujumbura, the U.S. Embassy is ordering its personnel to shelter in place until further notice. Private U.S. citizens are advised to take similar precautions.

U.S. citizens who are planning to travel to Burundi or are currently staying in Burundi should review the new Burundi Travel Warning recently issued on November 3, as well as their personal security situation and avoid non-essential travel to and within Burundi.

Please contact us at BujumburaC@state.gov if you need assistance departing Burundi so that we may assess potential options for assisting you.

For further information:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Contact the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura, located at Avenue des Etats-Unis and Avenue du Cinquantenaire in Bujumbura, Burundi, at +257-22-20-7000 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +257-22-20-7318, or +257-79-938-841.
  • Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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