1 week travel insurance for Yemen from £55, 2 weeks cover from £110

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High risk travel insurance for Yemen for journalists, media, humanitarian, aid, disaster and relief workers, conservationists, researchers, voluntary workers, missionaries, religious workers and charitable programmes.
		“Travel Insurance that covers you where others fear to tread”

Travel Insurance for Yemen

 

Why Choose Us?

With the rapid rise and spread of terrorist activity over recent years, civil unrest, quickly evolving conflicts along with fragile political and environmental situations worldwide – even the most experienced travellers can quickly find themselves in challenging situations that can expose themselves to dangerous circumstances and unexpected accidents, illnesses and medical emergencies.

Our policies has been designed in close consultation between leading international travel and medical insurance experts and professionals operating at the frontline in the field of worldwide travel risk management, safety and personal security in fragile environments.

 

Flexibility, Choice and Strength of Security

We have designed our policies to offer you the flexibility and choice of covers you need when traveling abroad, all backed by the financial security and strength of proven service that underpins the product when you may need it most.

*Maximum trip duration to the USA is 89 days. Maximum duration for leisure trips is 31 days.

 

Coverage specially designed and included for:

 

 

Travel advise for Yemen

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Yemen. This includes the mainland and all islands. If you’re in Yemen, you should leave immediately.

The British government can’t provide any form of assisted departure to British nationals in Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place, in line with the FCO’s longstanding policy on assistance in Yemen. The FCO has been consistently advising against all travel to Yemen and for UK nationals to leave Yemen since March 2011.

Due to increased security risk, on 11 February 2015 the operations of the British Embassy in Sana’a were temporarily suspended and diplomatic staff withdrawn. If you need consular assistance, you can contact the FCO in London at any time by calling +44 (0) 20 7008 1500.

The FCO can’t offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential evacuation point. You should therefore consider carefully whether you want to pursue any options that become available. You should use your own judgement to move towards an evacuation point only if and when you judge it is safe to do so.

The UK government’s ability to facilitate onward travel from countries in the region is limited and you’ll be expected to cover the cost of visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel yourself. Any travel options you pursue are taken at your own risk.

Yemen remains very tense and unstable and the security situation throughout the country is dangerous and in some areas it is unclear which faction has control. In addition to ongoing fighting, there’s a threat of terrorist attacks, kidnap and unlawful detention against foreigners from terrorist groups, local militia, armed tribesmen and criminal groups that have the intent and capability to carry out such acts.

If you do choose to remain in Yemen you should minimise movement around the country and within cities and towns and follow other precautions in this travel advice.

Since 25 March 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading coalition airstrikes against Houthi and pro-Saleh targets in Yemen in response to a request for support from President Hadi. Fighting continues across the country, which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and damaged key infrastructure. A ceasefire which began on 10 April has reduced incidents. Access to food, clean water, fuel and medical supplies is difficult throughout Yemen. There is a high risk of being caught in indiscriminate gunfire or shelling.

There have been a number of clashes along the Yemen-Saudi border, which have resulted in casualties. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to areas of Saudi Arabia within 10 km of the border with Yemen, and against all but essential travel between 10km and 80km of this border. If you choose to ignore this advice and travel by land to Saudi Arabia you should expect to wait around 24 hours, though possibly up to several days at the border in order to enter the Kingdom, and in areas where food and water are reported extremely scarce, and accommodation severely limited. Estimates of the number of people waiting to cross the border vary, with some travellers assessing figures as high as several thousand. There are reports that several bus companies are delaying trips to the border due to the overcrowding.

If you’ve previously submitted an application in Yemen for a British passport, you will be contacted by Her Majesty’s Passport Office.

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Yemen and specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication. Terrorist attacks take place on a frequent basis, and terrorists continue to threaten further attacks. There is a very high threat of kidnap and unlawful detention from militia groups, armed tribes, criminals and terrorists.

There’s ongoing fighting between competing factions across the country. The situation is very changeable and it’s unclear in some areas which faction has control. This fighting includes armed groups like Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Daesh’s official Branch in Yemen, IS-Y. T

ropical cyclones sometimes affect parts of the country. You should monitor local and international weather updates.

Piracy remains a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

 

Safety and security

 

Local travel

If you travel to Yemen against FCO advice, you should regularly reassess your security arrangements and carefully plan your movements. Avoid routine, vary your travel routes, and keep a low profile at all times. You should take security advice from the host government, local authorities and/or competent security experts before any travel within the country. Routes in and out of Sana’a and the other major cities may become blocked and airports closed or inaccessible at little or no notice. A curfew from 8pm to 6am daily and a ban on carrying arms have been imposed in Aden. On 18 January 2016, Aden Police also imposed a ban on motorcycles within the city following several days of killings, or attempted killings, by armed men on motorbikes. The FCO continues to receive reports of this type of incident. You should check your routes in advance of travelling. Don’t advertise your travel or other plans through social media.

There’s an ongoing threat against foreigners and you are strongly advised to avoid places frequented by foreign nationals and to avoid travelling in an insecure and visible way.

Given the current political and security situation, there’s limited government control over parts of the country with Houthi or Al-Qaeda dominance in some areas.

The political situation is uncertain and the threat of a further escalation of violence and disorder remains.

The instability throughout Yemen has led to those in the south who support secession to call for southern independence and to draw attention to southern grievances.

 

Crime

Weapons are readily available. Incidents may not be solely criminal in nature, and may be linked to terrorism or other insecurity. Tribal disputes over land are common, including in major cities, and may involve the use of weapons. The Houthis are running extra-judicial detention centres. Take care at all times.

 

Road travel

You can drive in Yemen using an International Driving Permit. Access routes in and out of major cities may be closed or blocked. Check that the road is open before starting your journey. Driving standards are poor and mountain roads hazardous. There is a severe shortage of fuel in Yemen. You should avoid all road travel outside the main cities at night. Take care to avoid minefields left over from civil wars and landmines used in the current conflict. Travelling off well-used tracks without an experienced guide could be extremely dangerous.

Due to the security situation, diplomatic staff were withdrawn and the operations of the British Embassy in Sana’a temporarily suspended in February 2015. If you need consular assistance, you can contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London at any time by calling +44 (0) 20 7008 1500.

 

Air travel

The situation remains very tense and changeable. Clashes and airstrikes have caused temporary suspension or closure of airports across the country. Check with your airline or travel company before travelling to any airport in the country.

Yemeni air space is currently controlled by Saudi-led coalition forces. The Arab coalition in Yemen have declared that starting from 15 August, Sana’a International Airport will be opened for United Nations and other international humanitarian organisations’ flights. Humanitarian organisations must send a notice to the coalition in advance of each flight, and permission will be issued based on the status of military operations.

Yemeni air space is currently controlled by Saudi-led coalition forces. Yemenia Airways flights from Sana’a airport are suspended until further notice. Yemenia Airways occasionally operate flights from Aden airport which reopened in May 2016, however Yemenia’s schedule is subject to last minute alterations or cancellation. If you’re looking to leave the country, contact Yemenia Airways for full details of their schedule, and how to apply for tickets, which can take several weeks to obtain and incur additional administrative fees.

There are no direct cargo or passenger flights between Yemen and the EU. Previous aviation incidents have included a failed attempt to bomb an aircraft destined for the USA, and two explosive devices identified in air cargo originating from Yemen.

The FCO cannot offer advice on the safety of other airlines. However, the International Air Transport Association publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe.

 

Sea travel

As part of the coalition response to the Houthi aggression, maritime restrictions are currently in place resulting in variable port and vessel accessibility. Further details are available on the UNVIM website.

While there have been no successful piracy attacks since May 2012 off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, the threat of piracy related activity and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean remains significant. Reports of attacks on local fishing dhows in the area around the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa continue. The combined threat assessment of the international Naval Counter Piracy Forces remains that all sailing yachts under their own passage should remain out of the designated High Risk Area or face the risk of being hijacked and held hostage for ransom. For more information and advice, see our Piracy and armed robbery at sea page.

 

Political situation

President Hadi escaped Houthi-imposed house arrest on 20 February 2015 and has now established a government-in-exile in Riyadh. On 25 March 2015 a coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, began air strikes in Yemen following the request for support from President Hadi to deter continued Houthi aggression. Yemeni parties to the conflict entered into UN-brokered peace talks on 21 April 2016 in Kuwait.

On 6 August 2016, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen announced a month long pause in political negotiations to allow the parties to consult their leaderships. The Yemeni parties are committed to maintaining the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) which began on 10 April 2016. Since the introduction of the CoH, air strikes and ground fighting has continued throughout the country.

Further reports of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances raise concerns, as Houthis have carried out a wave of arrests of their opponents, and the list of abductees includes politicians, journalists, academics and activists. The political and security situation remains uncertain and volatile.

 

Terrorism

 

There is a high threat from terrorism with attacks occurring throughout the country. The threat is heightened where AQAP have strong tribal connections and in more isolated governorates like Hadramawt and Shabwah.

Western and Houthi interests in Yemen remain a feature in AQAP propaganda, and are viewed by AQAP as legitimate targets for attacks. Future attacks could be indiscriminate, including - but not limited to - places visited by foreigners like hotels and supermarkets, transport, oil and gas infrastructure, government buildings and Houthi gatherings. Since October 2014, there have been a number of large-scale attacks against the Houthis. Maritime and aviation terrorism also can’t be ruled out.

Attacks targeting or affecting British nationals of Yemeni origin also can’t be ruled out. Attacks against Yemeni security forces and Houthis throughout the country continue to rise and are expected to continue as a result of their ongoing Yemeni operations against AQAP.

Methods of attack have included complex attacks by militants, firearm assassinations, kidnappings, car bombs, and improvised explosive devices (IEDS) left in locations like buildings and roadways.

Daesh’s official branch in Yemen, (Daesh-Yemen), launched it’s terrorist campaign in March 2015, carrying out co-ordinated suicide attacks against Shia mosques and targets in the cities of Sadah and Sana’a. Since March 2015, the group has conducted dozens of terrorist attacks across the country as part of their campaign. Attacks have taken place in locations including Aden, Sana’a, Ibb, Hodeida and al-Bayda. Methods of attack have included car bombings and suicide bomb attacks. The group have so far focused on Houthi, security forces and Yemeni government targets, but western interests are highly likely to be regarded as a legitimate target too.

There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.

 

Kidnap There is a very high and constant threat of kidnap across Yemen. Hundreds of people have been kidnapped in Yemen in the last 15 years. In 2014, a number of foreign nationals were kidnapped.

If you choose to travel to Yemen against FCO advice, you should pay careful attention to your safety and security. Security precautions do not remove the threat and our advice remains against all travel to the country.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) propaganda has called for continued kidnapping of westerners. However, armed tribes and criminal groups have also carried out kidnaps in the past. There is a high risk that such groups would sell any hostages on to AQAP. AQAP have murdered a number of hostages.

Any international presence (including UN, NGOs, oil and gas workers, journalists, teachers, students, tourists, long-term residents, and westerners of Yemeni origin) might be targeted if an opportunity arose. Kidnaps have occurred at various times of day and in a wide variety of locations, including public places in the capital, cars while travelling, and the victims’ accommodation. Kidnapping attempts often involve the use of force and have ended in the death of several victims.

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to terrorist hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage-taking.