Overview
The situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable with military strikes and reprisal attacks having occurred in a number of locations. The risk of military conflict resuming remains. New Zealand’s travel advisories for many countries in the Middle East warn of the risks to travellers from ongoing terrorist activity, violent crime and civil unrest. New Zealanders in the region should stay vigilant.
Things New Zealanders in the Middle East need to know
- Know how alerts are communicated in your location (for example, sirens or mobile phone alerts).
- Sign up and monitor local media to stay informed of local developments. Sign up to alerts issued by local civil defence authorities, if a registration system exists in your area. Be aware that drone or missile attacks could occur without any official warning being issued.
- Know what to do. Follow the advice of local authorities at all times. This includes any evacuation orders or shelter in place instructions.
- Be prepared:
- Know where likely targets are and avoid these locations, relocating to a safer location if they’re close by. Likely targets include military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants and US diplomatic facilities like US Embassies, US Consulates and identifiably US businesses.
- Register your current or upcoming travel here: Register, or check your registration details here: Login
- Ensure you have enough bottled water, and supplies like torches and batteries.
- Make sure you have a sufficient supply of any daily medicines you may be taking.
- Stay in contact with family and friends and keep them up to date on your location and plans.
- Ensure your passport is up to date and is valid for more than six months before travelling. Information on how to renew your passport is available from the Department of Internal Affairs.
- Read our advice on Violence or conflict.
- Know where to go if an attack occurs, including whether there are shelters in your location or nearby.
- If there are no designated shelters, immediately move inside a building and ideally to a basement or interior room away from windows. Talk to your residence or hotel, to confirm the best place to shelter in place where you are, should that be necessary.
- Shelter in place until you receive an all‑clear notification, or for at least one hour after the last attack or intercept is heard.
Fuel shortages
Fuel shortages are continuing to affect global travel. For more information, please see our news item on Travel, fuel supply and security impacts of conflict in the Middle East.
New Zealand Government help
Embassies and consular officials continue to be in contact with New Zealanders registered as being in the Middle East.
If you require urgent consular assistance, please call the 24/7 consular emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20
