Safety and Security

Areas outside Freetown lack basic services.  Travelers are urged to exercise caution especially when venturing beyond the capital. Travel outside the capital after dark is not allowed for U.S. Embassy officials and should be avoided by all travelers.  Emergency response to vehicular and other accidents ranges from slow to nonexistent.

U.S. citizen travelers should maintain security awareness at all times and carry a means of communication at all times (i.e. a fully charged cell phone with emergency contacts).

Crime:  Crime is widespread in Sierra Leone; U.S. citizens have experienced armed mugging, assault, and burglary.  Petty crime and pick-pocketing of wallets, cell phones, and passports are very common, especially on the ferry to and from Lungi International Airport, as well as in the bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in the Lumley Beach and Aberdeen areas of Freetown. 

The Embassy receives regular reports from U.S. citizens about financial scams.  See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  There is no local number equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Sierra Leone.  Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy at (232) (99) 105 500

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

The U.S. Department of State can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.