British Black people of African/Caribbean descent who travel to their mother countries, are putting their lives at risk by not taking satisfactory precaustions, an official British government agency survey, reveals.

The initiative, called the Know Before You Go Campaign, and launched by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), hopes to sensitise Africans/Caribbeans to the dangers of inadequate preparation before travel.

The FCO estimates that just over 900,000 British citizens of African/Caribbean origin visiting Africa or the Caribbean each year, could be putting their safety at risk because they are not preparing for their trips.

The results of the study show that whilst African and Caribbean British nationals take precautions when they are travel to holiday destinations such as Europe and the USA, it is often not the case when it comes to visiting friends and family in their country of origin. Many travel without insurance, without having had the right vaccinations or even without ensuring they have the correct re-entry documents.

“It is important to realise that when travelling abroad, situations can arise that cannot be dealt with as easily as if you were at home”, urged Lord Triesman, Foreign Office Minister responsible for Consular Affairs. “British nationals of Asian origin, visiting their country of origin, should ensure they are fully prepared.”

As part of the Know Before You Go Campaign, the Foreign Office has issued advice to British citizens visiting friends and family in Africa or the Caribbean. This include:-

1. Always take out travel insurance
2. Ensure all documentation is correct
3. Know the personal import laws
4. Go to your GP to check whether you or your family need vaccinations
5. Know your nationality status
6. Update yourself on the area you’re travelling to

“Even if you feel at home in your destination accidents can still happen and medical expenses can be extortionate,” the FCO advises. “For example it can cost up to £35,000 to get transported by air ambulance back to the UK from the Caribbean.”

Other advice issued by the FCO include:-

• Travellers ensuring their name on the passport is the same one you give when booking flights and arranging other travel documentation
• A reminder that it is illegal to bring meat products and pickles, milk, dairy or other animal products (e.g. fish, eggs, honey), chestnuts, potatoes or potato seeds into the UK from any country outside the EU
• Ensuring that all required vaccinations are up-to-date.

Further information is available from the Foreign Office website.