Alerts

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 6.2 magnitude earthquake has struck 54km (33.5 miles) southwest of Ovalle, Coquimbo Region. The quake struck at approximately 0720hrs (1020 UTC) at a depth of 76km (47 miles). There is no tsunami alert issued for Chile.

CIEE has no reason to believe that any of our participants in Chile have been directly impacted at this time, but are in the process of contacting our participants to ensure they are all safe, and to provide needed guidance for staying safe.

We'll continue to keep you informed of developments as needed. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-40-STUDY

German authorities are continuing their response to a vehicular incident in central Muenster during the mid-afternoon April 7. At about 1400, a vehicle drove into a crowd of pedestrians near the Kiepenkerl Denkmal (Traveling Peddler Monument) in the city's Old Town District, reportedly killing at least three people and injuring over 30 others. Although the nature of the incident remains unclear as yet, police are currently treating it as a vehicular attack.

CIEE has no reason to believe that any of our participants have been directly impacted at this time, but are in the process of contacting our participants in Berlin to ensure they are all safe and aware of the event, and to provide needed guidance for staying safe.

We'll continue to keep you informed of developments as needed. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-40-STUDY.

This message is an update to the ongoing water crisis in Cape Town which is the result of a three-year drought. As you may remember, April 16 was to begin citywide, systemic rationing of water more commonly referred to as “Day Zero”.

This week brought good news as diminished agricultural use of water changed “Day Zero” by nearly one month to May 11.

Water remains available around the city including at both CIEE and the University of Cape Town (UCT) facilities. Additionally, potable water cisterns have been added for dorms and offices while CIEE continues to consult with experts on strategies to increase our water-efficiency. As a result, we are confident adequate water for drinking and personal hygiene will remain available even if “Day Zero” arrives in mid-May.

To be clear, students appear to be adapting well to life in Cape Town and all programs are progressing normally.

Important facts to know:

·        Water is available. However, water levels continue to decrease and although consumption has decreased slightly, it is essential for everyone to remain vigilant.

·         Water conservation is becoming part of daily life and the highly visible public relations water conservation campaign in the city of Cape Town will continue until further notice.  

Upon arrival:

·         CIEE staff will educate all students of their important role as a temporary resident of Cape Town including all efforts and recommendations to conserve water.

·         CIEE is coordinating with UCT, local staff, homestay families, and other parties to ensure that water continues to be available for students while on their program.

We do not expect an interruption to the academic program and classes will go on as planned. Be assured we will continue to send updates as warranted.

If you have additional questions regarding the Cape Town’s water crisis, please call your study abroad advisor or institutional relations contact. As always, please visit CIEE Alerts where we continue to post important updates that affect our students and staff around the globe .

For more information on the water shortage, please click the link below for a recent article in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/02/05/world/africa/ap-af-south-africa-cape-town-water-crisis.html 

CIEE HSS Team

The US Department of State has updated their Worldwide Caution for US Citizens on their webpage.  This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated September 14, 2017.  The full message can be viewed here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/worldwide-caution.html 

All CIEE centers worldwide are notified and students/participants are being advised of specific measures to ensure continuing safety while abroad. 

The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our first priority. CIEE has a robust active emergency and communication plan that includes evacuation assistance and security intelligence services that provide us with frequent updates. We are part of the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a division of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State, and we coordinate with a consortium of security professionals that works with more than 60 other colleges and institutions throughout the U.S.

Students have emergency contact information for on-site CIEE staff members, who are available at all times. Our internal alert system includes the ability to contact students quickly through combined text, phone, and email blasts. We also advise students to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to ensure they receive the latest information about security issues from the U.S. Embassy.

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-40-STUDY.

CIEE HSS Team

CIEE is closely monitoring the security situation in Israel, other sites in the Middle East / North Africa region, and other global sites that may be impacted following the US President’s speech regarding the US Embassy future relocation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  Multiple Palestinian factions called for mass demonstrations after the US President indicated that he would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on 6 December. Disruptive protests are highly likely in Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Arab-majority areas of Israel according to our intelligence services.

The US Embassy in Israel posted the following security message for US Citizens on 6 December:

“The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent. The U.S. Consulate General reminds U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security.

Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news for updates. Maintain a high-level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow instructions of local authorities. Avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests or demonstrations.

In view of this announcement and the potential for protests, U.S. government employees and their family members are not permitted to conduct personal travel in Jerusalem’s Old City and in the West Bank, to include Bethlehem and Jericho. Official travel by U.S. government employees in Jerusalem’s Old City and in the West Bank is permitted only to conduct essential activities and with additional security measures. We recommend that U.S. citizens take into consideration these restrictions and the additional guidance in the Department of State’s travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza when making decisions regarding their travel.”

On 6 December, the US Embassy in Jordan further announced the they have temporarily suspended routine public services.  All Embassy travel outside Amman, both official and personal, has been prohibited until further notice. However, the Embassy remains open and ready to assist in the event of an emergency threatening the life or safety of a U.S. Citizen. CIEE is currently evaluating the safety and security situation of our students attending classes tomorrow in Amman, and will make adjustments to class schedules as necessary to ensure safety going forward. 

All CIEE students and staff in possibly impacted regions are being advised to follow the advice/restrictions listed above from the US Embassy, maintain a low profile, and avoid all demonstrations. Students and staff should avoid US diplomatic missions, prominent public squares, and other identifiable rally sites until it becomes clear what the public reaction to the US administration's announcement will be.

CIEE HSS Team

CIEE continues to closely monitor the ongoing situation on the Korean peninsula with the elevated tensions between the United States/South Korean and North Korean governments. Our current intelligence reports for South Korea continue to indicate that while the raised tensions and strong rhetoric will most likely continue in the short-term, the likelihood of direct military action by either side remains low. As such, we are continuing to offer our programs and support our students this semester. CIEE remains prepared to act quickly should the security situation unexpectedly deteriorate.

Security risk assessment ratings from our intelligence providers have not changed due to the heightened tensions, due to repeated weapons tests (including the recent ICBM test-launch in November), or due to the recent comments about conflict in the region made by Sen. Lindsey Graham. The U.S. Department of State has also not issued any warnings or alerts for South Korea or Japan, maintaining only a Travel Warning for North Korea.

Our on-site resident staff in South Korea have indicated that South Koreans are continuing to go about life as usual. For them, the threats and bluster from North Korea are a typical routine.

The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our first priority. CIEE has a robust active emergency and communication plan that includes evacuation assistance and security intelligence services that provide us with frequent updates. We are part of the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a division of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State, and we coordinate with a consortium of security professionals that works with more than 60 other colleges and institutions throughout the U.S.

Students have emergency contact information for on-site CIEE staff members, who are available at all times. Our internal alert system includes the ability to contact students quickly through combined text, phone, and email blasts. We also advise students to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to ensure they receive the latest information about security issues from the U.S. Embassy.

We will continue to keep you informed of developments as needed. Our website, ciee.org/alerts, is regularly updated and here you will find a list of active alerts to help communicate any health and safety updates regarding our students on programs. You can also read the latest safety and security messages from the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Seoul here. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-40-STUDY.

CIEE is aware of the new US Department of State Travel Warning for Cuba, dated 29 September 2017.  This travel warning was announced in response to targeted auditory attacks against US Embassy Havana employees.  The symptoms of the auditory attacks have included “ear complaints and hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping” according to the Embassy.  For more information on these attacks against Embassy employees, please see the travel warning at Cuba Travel Warning.

CIEE does not believe our students to be in any immediate danger or risk of future attacks.  Our intelligence indicates that the risk to study abroad students is low regarding these suspected “auditory” attacks.  The only reported persons exhibiting these symptoms have been US and Canadian diplomatic personnel.  These attacks have been reported in or near official diplomatic housing, and possibly at hotels were diplomats typically stay.  There is a history of harassment by the Cuban intelligence services against American and Canadian diplomatic personnel in their official housing and listening devices have been found there before.  The US government has been hesitant to accuse the Cuban government directly of these attacks and there are suspicions that another country’s intelligence services may have carried out the attacks in Cuba.  It is also possible that these events were accidental, and perhaps the result of malfunctioning listening devices. 

Secretary of State Tillerson has stated on September 27, 2017- “We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens. The Department does not have definitive answers on the cause or source of the attacks and is unable to recommend a means to mitigate exposure.” 

The Government of Canada updated their travel warning on September 28, 2017 and state that “There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Cuba.  Exercise normal security precautions.” 

The British Foreign Office updated their travel guidance on September 30, 2017 and stated, “Most visits to Cuba are trouble free. ” 

Our students are all safely embedded in homestays and will be advised to avoid hotels where diplomats frequent.  There are no reports of issues on campus and we believe our students are safe there.  We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to be in communication with our intelligence providers.  For the time being, CIEE will continue to offer programming in Cuba, as the risks highlighted in the Travel warning are specific to US Embassy personnel and certain hotel locations and as such are avoidable.

The US Embassy has ordered a drawdown of political officers but is maintaining a consular office presence to assist Americans in need of assistance in Cuba.  However, the Embassy’s capacity to operate was already hindered by damages caused by Hurricane Irma.  The Embassy continues to maintain phone lines for Americans facing emergencies in Cuba (+53 7-839-4100 and +1 202-501-4444).  Of course, CIEE on-site staff remain available at all times to assist students in need.

The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our first priority. CIEE has a robust active emergency and communication plan that includes evacuation assistance and security intelligence services that provide us with frequent updates. We are part of the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a division of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State, and we coordinate with a consortium of security professionals that works with more than 60 other colleges and institutions throughout the U.S.

Students have emergency contact information for on-site CIEE staff members, who are available at all times. Our internal alert system includes the ability to contact students quickly through combined text, phone, and email blasts. We also advise students to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to ensure they receive the latest information about security issues from the U.S. Embassy.

We will continue to keep you informed of developments as needed. If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-40-STUDY.