Sanaa Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Sanaa.
Healthcare System
Yemen's healthcare system has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict. An estimated 50% of healthcare facilities are non-functional or only partially operational. Those that remain open face critical shortages of medicines, medical supplies, fuel for generators, and qualified staff.
Hospitals
Al-Thawra Hospital and Al-Jumhuri Hospital in Sanaa are among the few facilities attempting to provide services, but both operate with severe limitations. Private clinics may have slightly better resources but still face critical shortages. No facilities meet Western medical standards.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies exist but face severe medication shortages. Many essential drugs are unavailable or expired. Counterfeit medications are a significant problem. Bring all necessary medications with you, including a substantial surplus in case of extended stay.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance with conflict zone coverage and emergency evacuation is absolutely essential. Standard travel insurance policies typically exclude conflict zones, so specialized coverage is required. Verify that your policy explicitly covers Yemen.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive medical kit including antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-malarial medication, water purification tablets, and first aid supplies
- Carry at least 3 months supply of any prescription medications in original packaging with prescriptions
- Establish evacuation plans and contacts before arrival; medical evacuation can cost over $100,000 and may not be possible
- Avoid any non-essential medical procedures in Yemen
- Cholera, dengue fever, malaria, and other infectious diseases are widespread; take appropriate prophylaxis
- Blood supply is not reliably screened; refuse blood transfusions except in life-threatening emergencies
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Active military operations, airstrikes, artillery fire, and armed clashes occur with little warning. Civilian areas, including residential neighborhoods and markets, have been struck.
Foreigners face extremely high risk of kidnapping for ransom or political purposes by various armed groups. Kidnappings can occur anywhere without warning.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and ISIS-affiliated groups operate in Yemen and have conducted attacks against civilian targets, hotels, restaurants, and places frequented by foreigners.
Numerous checkpoints operated by various armed groups throughout the city. Foreigners may face questioning, detention, harassment, or demands for bribes.
Unexploded bombs, shells, and landmines contaminate areas throughout Yemen, including urban areas that have experienced fighting.
While overshadowed by larger security concerns, theft and robbery do occur, particularly given economic desperation caused by the conflict.
Qat (a mild stimulant plant) is widely chewed in Yemen. Afternoon qat sessions can lead to unpredictable behavior, increased aggression, and impaired judgment, particularly when combined with weapons.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Armed individuals at checkpoints may demand payment for passage, claim documentation is insufficient, or threaten detention to extract money.
Individuals approach foreigners offering assistance, local knowledge, or access to services, but may lead them into dangerous situations, inform armed groups, or facilitate kidnapping.
Operators may demand excessive advance payment, provide substandard security, or share information about foreign guests with armed groups.
Money changers may provide counterfeit bills, use rigged calculators, or short-change customers. Banking system is largely non-functional.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Pre-Departure Preparation
- Register with your embassy or consulate, though most have closed or severely reduced operations in Yemen
- Establish emergency contacts and evacuation plans before arrival
- Obtain comprehensive insurance that explicitly covers conflict zones
- Bring sufficient cash (US dollars) as ATMs and banking are non-functional
- Make copies of all important documents and store separately
- Establish secure communication methods and check-in protocols with contacts outside Yemen
- Consider professional security consultation and support
- Ensure vaccinations are current: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Polio, MMR, and consider rabies
Daily Security
- Maintain extremely low profile; do not advertise foreign nationality
- Vary routes, schedules, and patterns to remain unpredictable
- Avoid all demonstrations, large gatherings, and political events
- Stay informed through multiple news sources and local contacts
- Identify safe locations and shelter points in your area
- Keep emergency supplies including water, food, medications, and first aid readily accessible
- Charge all electronic devices whenever power is available
- Inform trusted contacts of your location and plans at all times
Communication
- Mobile networks are unreliable and may be monitored; assume all communications are intercepted
- Have backup communication methods including satellite phone if possible
- Establish code words with emergency contacts for different situations
- Internet access is limited and frequently disrupted
- Be extremely cautious about what you communicate electronically
- Keep phone charged and carry backup power source
Transportation
- Road travel is extremely dangerous due to checkpoints, poor conditions, and conflict
- Use only trusted drivers who know current security situation
- Travel during daylight hours only
- Avoid main roads when possible as they have more checkpoints
- Keep vehicle fueled as fuel shortages are common
- Commercial flights are extremely limited and unreliable
- Inform others of travel plans and expected arrival times
Accommodation
- Choose accommodation with multiple exits and secure perimeter
- Avoid hotels known to host foreigners as they are targets
- Inspect security measures personally
- Keep emergency supplies in room
- Know location of safest room in case of airstrikes
- Have evacuation route planned from accommodation
- Avoid ground floor rooms when possible
Cultural Awareness
- Yemen is a conservative Islamic society; respect local customs strictly
- Dress modestly at all times; women should wear abaya and headscarf
- Ask permission before photographing people or sensitive locations
- Avoid photographing military installations, checkpoints, or government buildings
- Be aware that tribal customs and laws may supersede national laws
- Learn basic Arabic phrases; English is not widely spoken
- Respect prayer times and religious observances
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers face extreme risks in Yemen beyond the general security situation. Yemen is one of the world's most challenging destinations for women. Gender segregation is strictly enforced, women's freedom of movement is restricted, and foreign women may face harassment, unwanted attention, and potential violence. Travel without male accompaniment is strongly discouraged and may be impossible in practice.
- Wear full abaya (black robe) and hijab (headscarf) at all times in public; some areas may require niqab (face covering)
- Avoid eye contact with men and do not engage in conversation with men who are not relatives or professional contacts
- Travel with male companion when possible; solo female travel is extremely difficult and dangerous
- Use women-only sections in restaurants, mosques, and other facilities when available
- Avoid being alone with men who are not relatives, including taxi drivers and guides
- Be prepared for severely restricted access to public spaces and services
- Understand that women's testimony and rights are not equal under Yemeni law
- Carry contact information for your embassy, though consular assistance is extremely limited
- Be aware that reporting harassment or assault may result in victim-blaming or legal complications
- Consider that emergency medical care for women may be inadequate or unavailable
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is illegal in Yemen and punishable by death under Sharia law as interpreted by Yemeni courts. There are no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and the legal system is actively hostile.
- Do not disclose LGBTQ+ identity under any circumstances
- Avoid any behavior that could be interpreted as indicating LGBTQ+ identity
- Be aware that accusations alone can result in arrest, violence, or death
- Do not bring any materials that could be interpreted as LGBTQ+ related
- Understand that there is no legal recourse or protection if targeted
- Remove any social media content that indicates LGBTQ+ identity before travel
- Be aware that embassy assistance will be extremely limited and cannot protect from local laws
- Consider seriously whether travel to Yemen is worth the extreme personal risk
- Have emergency evacuation plans that do not rely on local authorities
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with explicit conflict zone coverage is absolutely essential for travel to Yemen. Standard travel insurance policies exclude war zones and conflict areas, making them worthless in Yemen. The cost of specialized insurance is extremely high but necessary given the catastrophic risks. Medical evacuation alone can exceed $100,000 and may be impossible to arrange. Without proper insurance, travelers face potential financial ruin in addition to physical risks.
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