SAFETY ADVICE FOR LEBANON

Following the recent developments in Lebanon, here is some advice from the local journalists community:

GENERAL INFORMATION ON LEBANON
(See also Lebanon Hotspot : click here)

  • The more dangerous place to go in Lebanon is the south where Hezbollah is based
  • Do not mention the word terrorist in reference to Hezbollah
  • Always carry your ID, for checkpoints
  • Before you go to any place ask local people or the Police about the risks
  • Do not take pictures of military bases or facilities
  • Always wear a flak jacket with clear PRESS or TV inscription
  • Do not go alone. Try to travel with groups of journalists including local colleagues
  • Always carry basic equipment such as mobile, charger, money, emergency numbers, your country's embassy contact details, torch etc
  • Listen to the local radio news.
  • Make sure your home base and friends know where you are going and when you expect to return

    Time Zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during the summer)
    Telephone Services Country Code: 961
    IDD: International Direct Dialing is available
    Outgoing Code: 00
    Emergency Telephone Police - 386 440 425 (Emergency police - 16), Fire - 310 105, Ambulance - 386 675.
    Passport Information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Syria arriving from their country with valid national ID. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the estimated duration of stay.
    Return Ticket required.
    Visa Information: Required by all except: Syrians, Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

    Do not enter with Israel stamps on your passport. Obtain a visa in advance - three month visa costs 100,000 Lebanese Lira.

    Muslim traditions and practices should be respected. Casual but modest dress is suitable for day-time clothing.

    SAFETY ADVICE IN CASE OF AIR ATTACK
    (provided by ECHO - Generic Security Guide)

    There are several kinds of air attack including:

  • Bombing
  • Gunfire
  • Missiles

    As with all other threats, it is vital to assess the threat of air attack. In particular:

  • Is an air attack likely to happen?
  • If there is an air attack, is it likely to be aimed at you?
  • What are the likely targets of an air attack? Are any of them near to you?
  • If there is an air attack, what kind is it likely to be?
  • In view of all the above, what security measures should you put in place? What kind of shelter do you need? If the risk of air attack is high, should you even be present in the area?

    In the event of an air attack, the correct action will depend on the type of attack and your location. The following procedures may be appropriate, depending on the circumstances:

  • Drop instantly to the ground. Lie completely flat.
  • If it is possible to roll or crawl into a ditch, into a building or behind a wall without raising your profile, do so. This may give you some protection. Otherwise, remain still. Most blast and shrapnel fly upwards from the site of the explosion in a cone shape, so your best defence is to stay as low as possible. In this way it is often possible to survive explosions that are very close by.
  • Observe what is happening
  • Do not move until you are confident that the attack has finished. Beware: it may appear to have finished when in fact a second wave of attacks may be about to start. You may therefore have to wait a long time before you can be reasonably confident that no more attacks are coming.
  • If you are in a building, drop to the ground and move away from windows. Many injuries and deaths are caused by shattering glass. If it is safe to do so, move into the shelter, without raising your profile.
  • Report the incident as appropriate

    Shelters

    The purpose of a shelter is to protect staff in the event of an attack on the building, or if there is fighting or disorder nearby.

    Shelter design should depend on the local circumstances, and the nature of the possible threats. Points to bear in mind when designing a shelter may include:

  • No direct line of sight to windows
  • Thick walls, able to stop a blast and shrapnel, if they are assessed to be a significant threat. An alternative may be to have more than one wall between you and the outside - if the walls are thick enough.
  • Suitable roofing, taking into account the assessed threats.
  • Two exits

    back to index page

    top