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Emergency Assistance
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6 MINUTE READ
February 11, 2021

The Embassy’s highest priority is the protection of U.S. citizens.  If you are an American citizen and find yourself in an emergency situation overseas, you can contact someone at the Embassy 24 hours a day.

For after-hours emergencies, on weekends or on holidays, please call (+225) 27 22 49 4450 and ask to speak to the Duty Officer. To call from the U.S, dial: 00 225 27 22 49 4450 .

During business hours, you may reach the Embassy switchboard at (+225) 27 22 49 4000, Monday through Thursday, 07:45 am to 16:30 pm, and Friday, 07:45 am to 12:30 pm. To call from the U.S, please dial: 00 225 27 22 49 4000.   We request you to first review our website for answers to most routine questions and information on standard application forms and procedures.

Please note: these phone numbers are NOT for visa inquiries.

Inquiries regarding routine American Citizens Services should be sent to AbjAmCit@state.gov

For U.S. citizens who would like to register with the Embassy, please do so through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

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Crisis and Contingency Planning for U.S. Citizens

Protection is a dual responsibility: Citizens and the Embassy each have distinct roles in preparing ourselves and our families.

Signing up for the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP), keeping your information up to date, and staying abreast of Consular Information on the website is a critical responsibility of U.S. citizens residing or traveling overseas.

Ensure that your passports and other critical travel documents are current.  Evaluate your own family’s security situation and make plans to depart the country to a safe place if needed.

As time goes on, should a crisis escalate suddenly, the Embassy’s ability to react immediately may be limited. Costs to the citizen, and delays in being able to leave a dangerous situation may consequently increase.  The decision about whether to depart is the responsibility of each citizen based on his/her personal security situation.

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Steps to Planning Ahead

  • Maintain an adequate supply of food, water and necessary medications in your home.
  • Keep all the family’s passports together with all important papers in one readily available place (such as birth certificates, marriage records, vaccination, insurance and bank records).
  • Keep a supply of cash (both U.S. dollars, Euros and local currency) in a safe place.
  • Institute a plan for household members on what to do in case of an emergency and/or if they are separated from you.  Plan for the possibility that communication lines (e.g. phone, cell phone, email) may be cut and remain inoperable for extended periods.
  • Make accommodations for pets, as they may not be permitted on flights.
  • Make sure your car is in good working order, keep your gas tank full, check oil, coolant, tires and battery.  Make transportation arrangements with friends if you do not own a car.
  • Create a list of items to pack in your suitcase (each evacuee is normally allowed 1 suitcase and 1 small carry on bag).
  • Have extra sets of passport size pictures for each family member.
  • If we go to evacuation status, we would ask you to instruct family and friends to contact the Washington DC call center and not the Embasssy for up to date information. The number will be published when such a center would be set up. Currently all email inquiries should go to the following address: ABJAmCit@state.gov.
  • Enroll with the U.S. Embassy online via STEP to ensure you receive up to date information.

U.S. Citizen Services