There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

Exercise Increased Caution in Cameroon due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, health, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to the Southwest, Northwest, and Far North Regions for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Do Not Travel to within 20 kilometers of the borders with Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Advisory summary

Crime
Violent crime, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, and carjacking are common in Cameroon. This is especially true in the Southwest, Northwest, Far North, and North Regions; the Adamawa Region north of the capital city of Ngaoundere; and the East Region within 20 kilometers of the border with Central African Republic.

• There is high risk of kidnapping by non-state armed groups in the Southwest and Northwest Regions.
• There is high risk of kidnapping by terrorists in the Far North Region.
• Petty crime is common in Cameroon, especially in Yaoundé and Douala.
• Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes.

Unrest
Civil unrest is common, with the potential for political violence. Demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. They may disrupt transportation and other essential services.

Health
Medical services in Cameroon are limited.  Adequate trauma and ambulance services are not widely available. Even a minor health issue may require medical evacuation at your expense.

Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Cameroon. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Kidnappings by terrorist organizations are a significant risk in the Far North Region.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
IEDs exist in Cameroon, especially in the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North Regions. IEDs are unmarked and are actively used by terrorists in high-risk areas in the Far North Region.

Risks in specific areas

Level 4 – Do Not Travel

The Southwest, Northwest, and Far North Regions

• Do Not Travel to the Southwest, Northwest, and Far North Regions for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Review our information on Terrorism.
• Review our information on U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad.
• There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Cameroon. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
• Review the OSAC Country Report for Cameroon.
• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. This helps them monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. Specify how you will confirm you are safe (text, calls, etc.), how often, and who you'll contact first to share the information.
• Choose one family member to serve as the point of contact. If you are kidnapped or taken hostage, that person can communicate with kidnappers or hostage-takers, media, U.S. or foreign government agencies, and members of Congress.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.

Borders with Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria

• Do Not Travel to within 20 kilometers of the borders with Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Review our information on Terrorism.
• Review our information on U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad.
• There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Cameroon. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
• Review the OSAC Country Report for Cameroon.
• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. This helps them monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. Specify how you will confirm you are safe (text, calls, etc.), how often, and who you'll contact first to share the information.
• Choose one family member to serve as the point of contact. If you are kidnapped or taken hostage, that person can communicate with kidnappers or hostage-takers, media, U.S. or foreign government agencies, and members of Congress.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.

If you decide to travel to Cameroon:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Review our information on Terrorism.
• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Review our information on U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Cameroon. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
• Review the OSAC Country Report for Cameroon.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Check local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. This helps them monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. Specify how you will confirm you are safe (text, calls, etc.), how often, and who you'll contact first to share the information.
• Choose one family member to serve as the point of contact. If you are kidnapped or taken hostage, that person can communicate with kidnappers or hostage-takers, media, U.S. or foreign government agencies, and members of Congress.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Bring enough supply of over-the-counter and prescription medicines to cover the duration of the trip.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Cameroon
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance before traveling to Cameroon. Confirm with your travel insurance provider that your policy covers medical care, medical emergencies, medical evacuations, and trip cancellation. Please note that some policies may include only “assistance” with medical evacuation, which may be limited to helping coordinate the procurement of a medical evacuation rather than covering the associated costs. Coverage for the actual costs of medical evacuation may require additional insurance policy. Therefore, it is important to carefully review your policy details before traveling.