23rd March 2016 - Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Travel risk rating raised to EXTREME countrywide due to fluid security situation; travel advice differs by region

Following our recent visit to the country, we have re-evaluated Afghanistan's travel risk ratings: the whole country will now be uniformly rated as EXTREME for travel security risks. This blanket risk rating masks notable differences in certain threats and we therefore emphasise that we are also updating our travel advice for Afghanistan as follows:

• We advise against all travel to Baghlan, Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika and Zabul provinces.
• Business-critical travel to the rest of the country, including the capital Kabul, remains possible with comprehensive, professional security support.

Travel Briefing

The main rationale for the risk rating change is that security conditions have become increasingly fluid and unpredictable countrywide, while the approaching Spring fighting season is highly likely to see expanding insurgency. The central, western and some northern areas have been notably less affected by militancy, but in these areas lawlessness and warlordism are often the norm; access to emergency, including medical, support is extremely limited; corruption is deeply entrenched; and foreigners would face very credible risks relating to crime and kidnapping.

The country's east, south-east, south and parts of the north are worst affected by the insurgency, particularly the provinces mentioned above to which we advise against all travel. While the intensity of the insurgency varies significantly by region of the country, the conditions for an EXTREME travel risk rating are met even in locations where the insurgency is less acute. Organised and violent petty crime, widespread gun-ownership, lawlessness, warlordism and extremely limited availability of support or emergency services all characterise most of the country, even areas where the insurgency is less active.

Mazar-e Sharif city (Mazar-e Sharif province) is such an area, with better rule of law and security infrastructure than much of the country. However, foreign visitors' exposure to many of the aforementioned threats and potential for militant activity to encroach on the city reduces the meaningfulness of a risk rating distinction. Kandahar, the Taliban's spiritual homeland and previously one of its strongholds, has recently seen greatly reduced violence under the rule of a strong police chief, but the sources of insecurity remain deeply rooted, hence our advice against travel there.

Travel Risk Summary

• We advise against all travel to Baghlan, Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika and Zabul provinces.
• Business-critical travel to the rest of the country, including the capital Kabul, remains possible with comprehensive, professional security support.
• Essential travel to Afghanistan requires flexible itineraries, detailed preparation and dedicated local security support: be prepared to postpone or cut short travel at short notice.
• Contact your nearest Assistance Centre or visit our Afghanistan pages for further information and advice regarding travel to the country.