VZCZCXRO5919
RR RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHLG #0497/01 2341402
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211402Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5467
RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE 1507
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 2724
RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 1453
RUEHJO/AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG 0251
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 6721
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 0245
RUEHLS/AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 4195
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0051
RUEHMB/AMEMBASSY MBABANE 0279
RUEHOR/AMEMBASSY GABORONE 0776
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 0020
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0990
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 0008
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 0009
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 2583
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 0003
RUEHTO/AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 6430
RUEHWD/AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK 0403
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 0008
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 0143
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 0049
RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 0218

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 LILONGWE 000497 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/EX - STEVE TOY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT EAID KHIV SOCI MI
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR PEPFAR STRATEGIC INFORMATION REGIONAL 
MEETING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER IN LILONGWE, MALAWI. 
 
¶1. THE U.S. EMBASSY LILONGWE WELCOMES AND GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE 
TO ALL REGISTERED USG PARTICIPANTS TO THE 2008 SI REGIONAL MEETING 
FROM SEPTEMBER 15 - 17, 2008. 
 
¶2. PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REGISTERING AND ARRANGING THEIR 
OWN LODGING THROUGH THE MEETING ORGANIZER 
(PSMITH@AIMGLOBALHEALTH.ORG). AIRPORT TRANSFERS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED 
BY THE MEETING ORGANIZERS. 
 
¶3. THE EMBASSY IS NOT PROVIDING ANY LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR MEETING 
PARTICIPANTS. 
 
¶4. VISAS: 
U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING TO MALAWI FOR TOURISM, TRANSIT OR BUSINESS 
FOR 30 DAYS OR LESS CAN OBTAIN A VISA AT THE AIRPORT OR BORDER 
POINTS OF ENTRY AT NO COST. 
 
¶5. AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX 
REGARDLESS OF DIPLOMATIC OR OTHER OFFICIAL STATUS, ALL 
DEPARTING AIR TRAVELERS ARE SUBJECT TO AN AIRPORT DEPARTURE 
TAX OF THIRTY U.S. DOLLARS, WHICH MUST BE PAID IN U.S. 
DOLLARS (TODAY'S EXCHANGE RATE IS USD 1.00 TO 142.00 MALAWI 
KWACHA.) 
 
¶6. FOREIGN EXCHANGE 
BANKING SERVICES ARE VERY LIMITED THROUGHOUT MALAWI AND THERE ARE NO 
ATM MACHINES.  FURTHER, THE COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF 
HARD CURRENCY AND IT IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN U.S. 
DOLLARS EVEN VIA ACCOMMODATION EXCHANGES WITH THE EMBASSY CASHIER. 
WHEREAS THE EMBASSY CASHIER WILL CASH TRAVELER'S CHECKS (USUALLY FOR 
MALAWI KWACHA ONLY) AT THE CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE POSTED BY 
RAMC-PARIS, THE LOCAL MONEY CHANGERS NORMALLY CHARGE A 10% FEE.  FOR 
ALL OF THESE REASONS, TRAVELERS ARE ADVISED TO CONSIDER BRINGING A 
SMALL (WHATEVER IS REASONABLE) AMOUNT OF U.S. DOLLARS IF THEY ARE 
PLANNING ANY PERSONAL IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL. 
 
¶7. CELLULAR TELEPHONES 
CELLULAR TELEPHONES ARE AVAILABLE FOR RENT AT THE AIRPORT FOR 
TRAVELERS REQUIRING SUCH CAPABILITY.  THE COST IS 
APPROXIMATELY $2.50 PER DAY PLUS A REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF 
$200.  CALLING CARDS MAY BE PURCHASED IN DENOMINATIONS OF 
$10, $20, AND $50. 
 
¶8. CLIMATE 
MALAWI'S CLIMATE IS GENERALLY SUBTROPICAL.  THERE IS LITTLE 
TO NO RAINFALL THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE COUNTRY FROM MAY TO 
OCTOBER. IT IS HOT AND HUMID FROM OCTOBER TO APRIL ALONG THE LAKE 
AND IN THE LOWER SHIRE VALLEY. LILONGWE IS ALSO HOT AND HUMID DURING 
THESE MONTHS, ALBEIT FAR LESS THAN IN THE SOUTH. THE REST OF THE 
COUNTRY IS WARM DURING THOSE MONTHS. FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST, THE 
LAKE AREAS AND FAR SOUTH ARE COMFORTABLY WARM, BUT THE REST OF 
MALAWI CAN BE CHILLY AT NIGHT, WITH TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 
5O-14OC (41O-57OF). 
 
¶9. WHAT TO WEAR 
VISITORS ARE PARTICULARLY REQUESTED TO OBSERVE LOCAL DRESS 
CUSTOMS, WHICH USED TO STRONGLY EMPHASIZE MODESTY UNDER THE 
FORMER PRESIDENT. WHILE ATTITUDES AND CUSTOMS HAVE CHANGED, 
SO THAT WEARING TROUSERS FOR WOMEN AND SHORTS FOR BOTH MEN 
AND WOMEN IS ACCEPTABLE IN URBAN AND TOURIST AREAS, IN 
VILLAGES IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR WOMEN TO APPEAR WITHOUT 
WEARING A SKIRT OR LONG DRESS.  THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED 
EASILY BY TYING A WRAP AROUND THE WAIST, LOCALLY CALLED 
CHITENJES OR KHANGAS AND AVAILABLE INEXPENSIVELY IN MARKETS. THE 
WRAP CAN BE WORN OVER TROUSERS OR SHORTS.  IT IS WELL TO REMEMBER 
THAT MALAWIAN'S ARE VERY CONVENTIONAL, EVEN CONSERVATIVE, PEOPLE, 
 
LILONGWE 00000497  002 OF 003 
 
 
AND TO RESPECT LOCAL CUSTOMS AND 
TRADITIONS WHEN VISITING VILLAGES AND MARKETS. THE OLDER 
GENERATION AND PARTICULARLY IN THE RURAL AREAS, EXPECT TO SEE 
VISITORS DRESSED CONSERVATIVELY; RESPECT ALWAYS WORKS. 
 
¶10. EXCESS BAGGAGE 
OFFICIALS AT LILONGWE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CAN BE VERY 
STRICT CONCERNING EXCESS BAGGAGE; AND BECAUSE FEES FOR EXCESS 
BAGGAGE ARE NOT POSTED, TRAVELERS RUN THE RISK OF INCURRING 
EXCESSIVE CHARGES.  THEREFORE, WHEN APPROPRIATE FOR REASONS OF 
OFFICIAL BUSINESS, POST RECOMMENDS THAT VISITORS HAVE AN EXCESS 
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE ADDED TO THEIR TICKETS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. 
 
¶11. FLIGHT RECONFIRMATION 
BECAUSE FLIGHTS FROM LILONGWE ARE FREQUENTLY OVERBOOKED, 
TRAVELERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THE EMBASSY'S TRAVEL 
SECTION EARLY IN THEIR VISIT IN ORDER TO RECONFIRM ONWARD 
TRAVEL. 
 
¶12. HEALTH 
TRAVELERS TO MALAWI SHOULD CHECK WITH THEIR AGENCY'S MEDICAL UNIT 
SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN LILONGWE TO RECEIVE RECOMMENDED 
IMMUNIZATIONS AND TO BEGIN MALARIA PROPHYLAXIS (MALARIA IS A 
SIGNIFICANT HEALTH PROBLEM IN MALAWI). 
OFFICIAL TRAVELERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH STATE M/MED. THE CENTERS FOR 
DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) RECOMMENDS YELLOW FEVER VACCINE FOR ALL 
TRAVELERS COMING FROM ANY COUNTRY SINCE MALAWI IS CONSIDERED AN 
INFECTED COUNTRY. TAP WATER IS NOT POTABLE; HOWEVER, BOTTLED WATER 
AND OTHER SEALED BEVERAGES ARE SAFE AND READILY AVAILABLE. 
EMPLOYEES,INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHOSE AGENCIES 
PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICAL PROGRAM AND WHO ARE SERVING ON TEMPORARY 
DUTY (TDY)ABROAD ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL BENEFITS, INCLUDING HEALTH 
UNITACCESS, UNDER THIS PROGRAM AS DESCRIBED IN 16 FAM 111 AND 16 
FAM 
¶510. THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY: 
 
- CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING EMPLOYEES SERVING IN A "WHEN 
ACTUALLY EMPLOYED" (WAE) STATUS, WHO ARE EXPECTED TO BE STATIONED OR 
ASSIGNED ABROAD ON A TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) IN EXCESS OF 60 DAYS PER 
FISCAL YEAR, MUST OBTAIN A MEDICAL CLEARANCE; 
 
- DEPENDENTS TRAVELING WITH THE TDY EMPLOYEE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR 
THE COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH PROGRAM; AND 
 
- THE UNUSED PORTION OF THE RETURN AIRFARE OF THE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED 
TRAVEL SHOULD BE APPLIED TO MEDICAL EVACUATION COSTS WHEN POSSIBLE. 
 
HIV/AIDS IS PREVALENT IN MALAWI AND VISITORS SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME 
CAUTION AT ALL TIMES TO AVOID CONTACT THAT MIGHT RESULT IN HIV/AIDS 
TRANSMISSION. 
 
A YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION RECEIVED WITHIN THE LAST TEN YEARS AND 
EVIDENCED WITH A WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE 
OF VACCINATIONS IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO 
MALAWI. 
 
¶13. SECURITY 
DURING YOUR VISIT TO MALAWI, YOU SHOULD USE THE SAME SECURITY 
PRECAUTIONS YOU WOULD EXERCISE IN ANY URBAN AREA OF THE DEVELOPING 
WORLD.  CARJACKING AND ROBBERIES OCCUR THROUGHOUT MALAWI AND ALL 
VISITORS SHOULD USE CAUTION.  YOU SHOULD NOT CARRY PERSONAL 
VALUABLES OR LARGE AMOUNTS OF CURRENCY WHEN VISITING THE DOWNTOWN 
AREAS OF LILONGWE OR BLANTYRE.  WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU NOT VENTURE 
OUT ALONE AT NIGHT.  GIVEN THE HIGH RATE OF VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS, USE 
OF USG VEHICLES OUTSIDE 
URBAN AREAS AFTER DARK ARE PROHIBITED AND THE MISSION STRONGLY 
 
LILONGWE 00000497  003 OF 003 
 
 
DISCOURAGES INDIVIDUALS FROM DRIVING THEIR PRIVATE VEHICLES OUTSIDE 
URBAN AREAS AFTER DARK. 
 
¶14. THREAT ASSESSMENT 
MALAWI IS RATED CRITICAL FOR CRIME.  POROUS BORDERS, EASILY 
ACQUIRED SMALL ARMS, AND AN UNDER-RESOURCED POLICE SERVICE 
PROVIDE AN EASY ENVIRONMENT FOR CRIMINALS.  BESIDES PETTY 
THEFTS, THE MAJORITY OF REPORTED CRIMES ARE CAR-JACKING AND 
BURGLARIES.  EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NO KNOWN TERRORIST 
ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN MALAWI, THE CONDITIONS NOTED ABOVE ALSO 
ALLOW FOR A POSSIBLE, UNDETECTED TERRORIST PRESENCE. THE CURRENT 
GOVERNMENT WAS DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED IN 1994, THEN RE-ELECTED IN 
¶1999.   MALAWI CURRENTLY ENJOYS POLITICAL STABILITY WITH FEW 
INSTANCES OF CIVIL UNREST OR PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS. 
 
¶15. TRAVEL 
MALAWI IS A LONG AND NARROW COUNTRY, COVERING MORE THAN 1000 KM FROM 
NORTH TO SOUTH.  THE GEOGRAPHY IS DOMINATED BY THE TRANQUIL WATERS 
OF LAKE MALAWI, NEARLY 600KM LONG AND UP TO 80KM WIDE, BORDERING THE 
EAST OF THE COUNTRY.  IT IS THE GREATEST ATTRACTION FOR VISITORS TO 
THIS PEACEFUL PLACE WELL KNOWN FOR ITS FRIENDLY PEOPLE, GOLDEN 
SHORES, AND STUNNING NATURAL SCENERY.  MALAWI ALSO HAS ELEVEN 
NATIONAL PARKS AND GAME RESERVES WHERE EVERYTHING FROM ELEPHANTS TO 
ORCHIDS IS PROTECTED.  THE THREE NATIONAL PARKS OF LENGWE, LIWONDE, 
AND LAKE MALAWI NATIONAL PARK ARE LOCATED IN THE SOUTH; KASUNGU 
NATIONAL PARK IS IN THE CENTRAL REGION; AND NYIKA NATIONAL PARK IS 
IN THE NORTH.  ADDITIONALLY, GAME RESERVES ARE ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL 
PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. 
 
¶16. TAKULANDIRANI/MWALANDILIDWA! WELCOME TO MALAWI, THE WARM HEART 
OF AFRICA. 
 
SULLIVAN