Middle East

Syria

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey.

There is a continuing threat of terrorism in Syria. Personal crime levels are low. Reputable hotels are safer than guest houses. Beware of pickpockets. Do not photograph anything related to the military. Vehicle security, personal security, checkpoints, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters.

Use bottled water only.

Primarily semi-arid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west.

Mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus.

Dust storms, sandstorms.

Bilharzia, hepatitis A & B, malaria in the northern border areas, polio, typhoid, visceral leishmaniasis, yellow fever.

Deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water.

Driving standards and traffic systems are poor and the accident rate high. Driving at night should be avoided, as it is unsafe. The Syria / Iraq border is unclear. You should not attempt to enter Iraq via Syria.

Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) (5 days)
Centurion's flagship Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) course is for people who operate world wide, particularly in areas where there may be personal health or safety concerns. It is extremely effective for "frontline" organisations.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.