INFORMATION VALID AS OF:
07 April 2013
***SUPERCEDED!***
See our updated Vulnerability assessment here.
INTRODUCTION &
CURRENT SITUATION
1.
This
report is produced for Mr., upon request for information.
Always register at the nearest Embassy or
consulate with points of contact information. Always leave an itinerary with a
third party of trust as well as pertinent related information such as hotels,
etc. Travellers to the Dominican
Republic (DR) should exercise a high degree of caution
mainly due to a high crime rate. Hazards associated with health and diseases
are higher than in Canada and preventive measures are highly recommended.
ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITY
FACTORS
2.
Government/security
forces:
Reports of criminals impersonating police officers have been reported,
particularly after departure from the Las Americas International Airport near Santo
Domingo. Similarly it is possible that this may occur in the Punta Cana area.
For example, demands for immediate
payment of traffic fines were witnessed. Actual cases of security forces or
real police officers posing a threat to tourists or demanding bribes remain
isolated and therefore vulnerability
from government or security forces remain low.
3.
Kidnappings: Kidnappings
continue to be an issue, and the country is becoming a victim to “express
kidnappings," a method of abduction that is used to obtain small amounts
of money by driving the victim from one ATM to another to withdraw the victim’s
account limit. Instances
of kidnappings for the Punta Cana area remain rare compared to the capital city
area. Therefore the risk of kidnapping
is assessed as low.
4.
Crime: While violent crimes
including assault have affected a few foreigners, petty crime is common in
urban areas. Thefts have been reported in resorts. Exercise caution and be
aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. Avoid showing signs of
affluence, never openly display your cell phone as “snatch and run” crimes are
reported and do not leave your personal belongings unattended on the beach.
Theft from hotel rooms and hotel room safes has occurred. Some tourists have
been victimized in taxis.
Gangs: gangs and organized
crime groups are present in the region. Drug traffickers are also active; the
DR is a transshipment point
for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe. Although there
has been an increase in violent crimes and homicides, tourism resorts are
unlikely to be targeted. The overall
vulnerability from crime is assessed as medium. The risk from crime can be
lowered if precautions are taken.
5.
Biases: No recognized
threat to tourists in the vicinity of resorts.
6.
Terrorism: No terrorist groups
are known to operate in the DR, however it is likely
a transit point for extremists. Additionally, there are no insurgent
groups present that have been identified. There have been no terrorist or armed
insurgent acts reported in the past year, however two occurred in 2011. Based
on the above, the Punta Cana area is
assessed as a low risk from terrorism.
7.
Civil unrest/violent
protests: In
the past year there have been popular protests against the government –
sometimes quite violent and involving the death of protestors. Similar protests
and demonstrations are likely during 2013, to include road blocks. Tourists are
unlikely to be directly affected but are likely at risk if in the vicinity of
large and sudden crowd gatherings. The
possibility of such unrest/protests in the area of tourist resorts is assessed
as low.
ASSESSMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
8.
Health: Dengue fever is
endemic to the DR. More than 15,000 suspected cases of cholera and 262 related
deaths have been reported in the past
few years. There are occasional reports of cases of malaria. Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including
hepatitis, HIV, filariasis and leptospirosis) are prevalent. Medical
care in Punta Cana should be adequate for most problems. Due to the above health issues, the risks of being exposed to diseases
or contracting a medical disorder are assessed as medium. Take preventive measures such as vaccines and
the purchase of medical insurance before travel.
9.
Risks from climate: Tropical storms, tropical depressions and other
natural disasters (including earthquakes, floods, and droughts) do occur in the
DR. Hurricane season is between the months of May and November. There are two
rainy seasons, the heaviest being from May to August. Visitors to the island
need to be aware that many buildings may not be in compliance with Canadian
codes. Since natural hazards such
as earthquakes are unpredictable and that historically, natural disasters have
occurred on the Hispaniola Island, the risks from climate are nonetheless evaluated
as low.
10.
Topography: The eastern part of
Hispaniola Island, which the DR shares with Haiti, is mostly composed of rugged highlands and mountains with
fertile valleys. No volcanic activity as well as no landslides was reported in
the past year. Therefore there are no
recognized hazards associated with the Punta Cana area.
11.
Infrastructure: Traffic laws
are similar to those in Canada but are often not respected. Outside major towns,
road quality varies. Driving after dark is not recommended due to poor
lighting. Public transportation is not recommended. For
those planning to drive in the DR, be aware that offensive and defensive
driving skills are a necessity. Outside the capital, emergency services
range from extremely limited to nonexistent. Telecommunications and internet
services are usually reliable. The electricity system capacity is inadequate in
many areas and power outages do occur. Do not use tap water or ice in areas
away from the resort or hotel, unless otherwise reputed. Hazards associated with the existing infrastructure in the Punta Cana
area are assessed as low.
OUTLOOK
12.
While most visits to the Punta
Cana area are trouble-free it is recommended to exercise a high degree of
caution to ensure a memorable holiday. Do not divulge the name of
your hotel or room number to strangers. Avoid unnecessary interaction with strangers.
Be aware of the surroundings. Obey local laws. Do not touch unknown animals and
insects. Tourists
are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity and you should
maintain a low profile and never venture alone, especially after dark. Credit card cloning and fraud are common. It’s generally safer to use
cash. Safeguard your personal belongings,
passports and other travel documents at all times and make photocopies. The
tourist police (POLITUR) provide a security presence in tourist areas and first
response assistance to tourists. The
most significant risk and hazards associated with travel to Punta Cana are from
crime, health and diseases. Those factors are assessed at medium and can be alleviated.
VULNERABILITY
FACTORS
|
ASSESSMENT
|
GOVERNMENT/SECURITY
FORCES
|
LOW
|
KIDNAPPINGS
|
LOW
|
CRIMES
& GANGS
|
MEDIUM
|
BIASES
|
NO RECOGNIZED THREAT
|
TERRORISM/INSURGENCY
|
LOW
|
CIVIL
UNREST/VIOLENT PROTESTS
|
LOW
|
HAZARDS
|
ASSESMENT
|
HEALTH
& DISEASES
|
MEDIUM
|
CLIMATE
RISKS
|
LOW
|
TOPOGRAPHY
|
NO RECOGNIZED HAZARD
|
INFRASTRUCTURE
|
LOW
|
Annex A – Threat and
Operational Hazard Definitions
Vulnerability Factors
Definitions
NO RECOGNIZED THREAT:
No
threat has been identified.
LOW: Possible hostile intent.
Although it may occur, threat is lessened
if certain precautions are taken. Risk is less than 25%.
MEDIUM: One or more individual(s) has(ve) the incentive to carry out hostile intent.
This
is based on one or more indicators such as opportunity to act. Risk is
50%.
HIGH: One or more
individual(s) is(are) highly
likely
to commit an hostile act. The associated course of action is to be avoided at all costs and is based on
the current assessment of the vulnerability factor. Risk is higher than 75%.
Hazard Definitions
NO RECOGNIZED HAZARD:
No hazard(s)
have been identified.
LOW: The hazard(s) posed
by the mentioned factors are greater
than in Canada. Serious illness, injury, death are moderately more likely.
Precautionary measures may be necessary.
MEDIUM: The hazard(s) posed
by the mentioned factors are such that serious disease, injuries, fatalities are probable and the chances of
surviving injuries are less than in Canada. Precautionary measures are
necessary.
HIGH: The hazard(s) posed
by the mentioned factor(s) are such that serious disease, injury or fatality is/are extreme. Prolonged exposure will
result in serious injury/illness and/or fatality and this hazard is to be
avoided based on the indicators for the assessment.
Annex B – Terminology
Definitions
Government Forces: Military, Police,
para-military members. Uniformed or not. Bribes, corruption, unreliability,
illegal arrest or detainment.
Kidnappings: actual acts reported,
known areas renowned for and opportunities for.
Crimes: Crimes against
persons to include assault, robbery, carjacking, rape, murder, crimes of
opportunity and by profiling. Crimes against property to include burglary,
identity theft, larceny, auto theft, carjacking, cyber scams.
Gangs: Crimes that include
multiple perpetrators, access to prostitution, bribery, extortion, and
blackmailing.
Terrorism/Insurgency:
Areas
with history of acts, presence of, popular or perceived support for.
Biases: How will the
traveller(s) be perceived in host country. Vulnerabilities may include one or a
combination of the following; race, religion, ethnic background, language(s)
spoken, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, mixed-race couple, past visas
in passport(s), political affiliation, financial status, nationality, employer,
etc.
References were intentionally omitted. In the original document we also had access to two confidential sources.
Contact Par-Sec Consulting for all your travels to non-occidental or third world countries.
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