The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for unrest or disruptions surrounding the September 20, 2011 presidential, parliamentary, and local elections in Zambia. U.S. citizens planning a trip to Zambia during or immediately following the elections should monitor local news and assess local conditions and travel routes when making travel plans. This Travel Alert expires October 15, 2011.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could unwittingly become a victim of harassment or more serious danger. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

For U.S. citizens already in Zambia, the U.S. Embassy recommends that you take this opportunity to ensure that passports for all family members are up to date and children have also been documented as U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens should also store sufficient food, water, fuel, and medicine in the event that it becomes necessary to shelter in place.

Should the need arise, the Embassy will communicate emergency messages for U.S. citizens via email and SMS for those who have provided contact information through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. To schedule an appointment for passport renewal, report of birth abroad of a U.S. citizen child, or other routine services, please make an appointment online through the U.S. Embassy’s appointment system. If you are unable to book an appointment online or slots are full leading up to the elections, you can contact the embassy at acslusaka@state.gov or 0211-357-260. The Embassy will create additional slots as necessary to accommodate U.S. citizens seeking to keep travel and citizenship documents current. Emergency passport issuance is appropriate only in certain circumstances, and routine processing of a new full-validity passport can take up to two weeks, so it’s important to plan ahead.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Ibex Hill Road in Lusaka. The main switchboard number is 260-211-357-000. You may also contact the Consular section by email.

U.S. citizens in Zambia or planning travel to Zambia are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security in Zambia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Zambia, as well as the Worldwide Caution.