Smartraveller: Lebanon travel and what to do if armed conflict breaks out when you are abroad

The escalating situation in the Middle East has been described as ‘volatile’ and the Australian Government has warned both Aussies in Lebanon and residents of the country to get out.

When travelling abroad, if armed conflict breaks out, it’s important that you do what you can to stay safe.

Smartraveller, run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), provides warnings to help Australians travel overseas safely and reduce their risk.

While DFAT can offer various forms of assistance, the department states it “can’t guarantee your safety and security in another country.”

On Monday, new travel advice was issued for Lebanon.

“We continue to advise that Australians do not travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further.”

“Australians in Lebanon should leave immediately while commercial flights remain available.”

“Beirut airport could close, and you may be unable to leave for an extended period. The Australian Government may not be able to assist you to leave in such circumstances.”

So if you are travelling abroad when armed conflict breaks out, here are some tips that Smartraveller recommend you follow.

Stay safe

DFAT emphasizes that your top priority should be “your safety.”

They recommend staying in a safe place and limiting your movements as much as possible.

If you need to leave your safe space, it’s advised to take heightened personal security measures, including:

• Staying alert and aware of your surroundings, especially in large crowds.
• Avoid looking like a tourist and maintaining a low profile.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts with you at all times.

Contact loved ones

Being caught in armed conflict is a terrifying experience for travellers and equally distressing for loved ones at home.

If possible, contact them as soon as possible since they will likely be worried after hearing news about conflict in the area you are in.

DFAT advises: “Don’t wait. You may find it difficult to do so later, especially if communication infrastructure is damaged in the conflict or if local authorities disable infrastructure or block the internet to control the flow of information.”

Make plans to leave or shelter

The Australian Government will not decide for you whether to leave or stay. You must decide what to do if conflict breaks out.

The department strongly recommends taking their advice seriously.

For instance, as in Lebanon, Smartraveller may advise leaving while commercial flights are still available.

As conflict escalates, flight availability may decrease, and prices may become unaffordable.

“If you choose to leave, do not delay. Conflict may escalate to a point where it’s no longer safe to leave,” Smartraveller advises.

If you choose not to leave or if it’s unsafe to do so, prepare to shelter in place. Gather supplies, prepare a go-bag, and keep your identity documents safe and accessible.

Follow instructions from local authorities

Australians caught in armed conflict overseas are advised to avoid engaging with security forces whenever possible.

If engagement is unavoidable, follow instructions carefully, as failure to do so could jeopardize your safety or lead to detention.

Stay up to date

Stay informed with up-to-date information from DFAT, Smartraveller, local media, or a local Australian embassy.

If you are in an area known for blocking phone towers and internet services, gather as much information as early as possible and act quickly.

Contact the Australian Government

The Australian Government will assist travellers as much as possible, but they cannot guarantee your safety.

If you are in an area where armed conflict breaks out or is imminent, contact the Australian Government immediately so they are aware of your situation.

More information on what to do and how to contact the Australian Government can be found on smartraveller.gov.au