Posted By frank5755
Dear All

Any body have worked in Angola? what types of things need to be considered?security issues,Health issues,food condition,Weather Condition?culture...

Any Advice highly appreciated

James

Posted By G. McC-L
Hi James,
I have some experience of working in Africa although not Angola.

1 - visa, find out the visa arrangements and who is responsible for applying for it and who pays - can get expensive and time consuming up to 8 weeks in some case. You can apply for a second passport if you need to travel overseas while your first passport is in the embassy. Make sure you keep a record of your passport number, issuing town etc. I also used to carry a photocopy of it.

2 - Travel Clinic get onto your nearest BA travel clinic or similar for information on required vaccinations & anti-malarial medication. Ensure that you get a prescription / letter for a GP authorising you to hold medication. Whilst it is not a legal requirement it stops officials shaking you down at the airport. Also visit WHO website for general health advice. Also most important get hold of a sterile travel kit - available from BA Clinic. Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance that includes repatriation - I have usually had this included in terms & conditions for particular contracts but make sure that you have adequate cover before you leave UK

3 - Travel - only fly via a recognised carriers i.e. BA Air France, American Airline SAA etc. Avoid flying with any of the National Carriers. Charter companies used by the oil companies are usually OK.

4 - Shipping Agent - find out who the shipping agent is and get a contact name and telephone number before you leave UK. Insist on being met by a representative from the agents and agree ID protocols. Be careful when meeting someone who says they are your agent, verify their identity before leaving the airport if in doubt don;t go.

5 - Hire cars - simple answer don't. Get a local driver and security guard if required arranged by the shipping agent.

6. Clothes - non descript, nothing flashy, practical.

7. Toiletries - small quantities, I have been charged import duty on shampoo before now.

8. Ipod, phone, cameras - any personal electronic goods are very attractive to thieves so rule of thumb is if you can't afford to loose it don't take it.

9. Laptop, camera - if you need to take one get it backed up and make sure your insurance covers theft overseas that goes for all personal items.

10. Watches & chains - used to wear a cheap £5 Casio. It was snatched off my wrist whilst I had the window down waiting at traffic lights. Don;t wear anything expensive or of great sentimental value.

11. I used to carry USD $200 is small denomination notes 1, 5, & 10, when traveling. Far more attractive than local currency, good for tipping and smoothing "administration" difficulties - you employer will advise on the practicalities of where you are working.

12 HUET / Offshore Training - of you are working off shore you will need an in date offshore survival training certificate including helicopter underwater escape training. Your employer should be able to advise on the requirements.

Overall I enjoyed my time in Africa. Its very challenging but also be very rewarding in so many unexpected ways. If you need any further advice let me know on this forum and I will forward my e-mail address.
Best of Luck,
Scotty