Kiribati

Kiribatihttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/oceania/kiribatiKiribatihttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/oceania/kiribati/health-and-safety-kiribatiDue to limited infrastructure, sanitation and hygiene, getting sick in Kiribati is a real concern for travelers. Find out about water and food quality, pollution and how to avoid tropical diseases.2019-09-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/oceania/kiribati/health-and-safety-kiribatihttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Water quality</h2> <p>Only 30 percent of residents living in South Tarawa (Kiribati's major population center) own a flush toilet according to recent statistics. Those who do not, use the lagoon as their bathroom.</p> <p>So, you can expect to see suspicious brown objects and other gross waste floating around in this body of water. This water never really gets washed out to sea, either, leaving the waste to float and causing a bad smell to permeate the island. Do not, under any circumstances, take a dip in this lagoon.</p> <p>Some travelers say North Tarawa is safe to swim in. Even though the locals there also use the water as their toilet, the population is considerably smaller, so less waste gets in the water.</p> <p>You won't be as in danger of seeing human waste in other bodies of water surrounding Kiribati, but you are at risk for getting pulled to sea by strong rip currents, particularly near the reef areas.</p> <h2>Good food</h2> <p>If you want to eat in Kiribati, you have few certifiably sanitary options. Many people subsist largely on rice to avoid illness developing from spoiled produce, which is scarce anyway, or bad meat.</p> <p>Much of the food in the country is imported in cans or packaged form, so the quality leaves a bit to be desired. But travelers report that you can find the basics.</p> <p>Fish is the prominent source of local food, but don't eat fish that comes out of the South Tarawa lagoon for obvious reasons.</p> <p>You can find more Western-style eats at hotels like Marys and the Otintaai and Chinese food at a number of restaurants.</p> <p>You'll want to boil all water when in Kiribati and thoroughly cook vegetables and peel all fruit.</p> <p>All of that being said, Kiribati does have strict quarantine protocols for food, plants and animal products, all of which must be declared upon arrival.</p> <h2>Disease and illness</h2> <p>Some illnesses to watch out for on Kiribati are mosquito-borne dengue fever, hepatitis A and ciguatera, a type of food poisoning sometimes caused by fish.</p> <p>Mosquitoes flit about the island, and as insect repellent is not sold locally, bring your own (same goes for sunscreen).</p> <p>Treat all cuts, bites or rashes immediately to avoid infection. If you do need medical attention, expect poor facilities. Anything beyond a basic ailment may require evacuation to a nearby country or your home country.</p> <h2>Pollution and rubbish</h2> <p>Pollution is high in Kiribati, partly because of poor sanitation and partly because nearly 85 percent of the locals smoke. In addition to human waste, you'll see dog waste and broken glass or metal on some beaches. No barefoot strolls on the shore for you.</p>Getty Images/Raimon Kataotao / EyeEm 1763237713 Getty Images Aerial view of an island in Kiribati

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/oceania/kiribati/kiribati-crime-and-local-issuesPoor infrastructure, petty crime, alcoholism and economic strife in Kiribati. Here's what you need to know to stay safe.2019-09-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/oceania/kiribati/kiribati-crime-and-local-issueshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Kiribati is an island nation in the Pacific, halfway between Hawaii and Fiji. Planes don't travel in and out of the island very often, and the ones that do may look like they're seconds from falling apart. Buildings are of the most basic construction, and houses lack common necesseties, such as the humble toilet.</p> <p>Privacy is considered different here, and you shouldn't be surprised to see people roaming through a random house's backyard – even if they don't live there. Many people walk around with machetes.</p> <p>Population density is quite a problem. Although there are 33 atolls that make up the country, more than half of Kiribati's population lives in South Tarawa, which sees a 3-percent growth rate each year.</p> <h2>Alcoholism in Kiribati</h2> <p>There are many social problems exist in Kiribati, especially on the heavily-populated Tarawa.</p> <p>Alcoholism is rife on the atolls, and many of their inhabitants are "bad" drunks who may be friendly when sober, but out of control when they've imbibed.</p> <p>Drinking is one of the only nighttime activities in which to take part in Kiribati, and locals who do it to excess can get rowdy and violent.</p> <p>Walking around at night, especially in Betio, in downtown Tarawa, and on the beaches of South Tarawa can welcome random attacks and arguments thanks to drunkenness.</p> <p>It's not uncommon to see bus drivers and other workers drunk on the job as well.</p> <p>Partly due to booze, but also partly due to perceived gender roles, lone women may be approached aggressively. Many Kiribati think it's against custom to allow women to travel or walk solo.</p> <p>Incidences of domestic violence often occur when alcohol is involved as well. In fact, Kiribati carries some of the highest rates of mental, physical and sexual abuse against women in the world. Roughly 68 percent of Kiribati women report suffering domestic abuse at some point in their lives. World organizations have begun trying to put more aid in place for domestic violence victims, educate the community and lower abuse rates, but it's still a problem you might hear or see on your trip.</p> <h2>Poverty and the economy</h2> <p>There are more social and health issues afflicting the island, such as high rates of smoking, 85 percent of residents here puff, diabetes and heart disease and malnutrition.</p> <p>Poverty and economic strife are other issues with which the Kiribati residents contend.</p> <p>The unemployment rate is quite high. Aid workers are stationed there, but there's only so much they can do.</p> <h2>Petty crime in Kiribati</h2> <p>Petty crime like theft is also common in Kiribati. Travelers recommend taking taxis home when out at night instead of walking to avoid trouble on the street. Keep your valuables out of sight and be aware of anyone lingering close.</p> <h2>Local laws in Kiribati</h2> <p>There are crimes you can commit as a traveler too. Male homosexual acts are illegal, but female homosexuality is not. The law is not enforced strictly, however discrimination may be an issue for the LGBTQ community. Local laws make it illegal to be nude in public, and it is also illegal to wear skimpy swimwear. </p> <p>Be aware drug trafficking or possession is a serious offence, resulting in lengthy prison time. Our advice? Don't do drugs in Kiribati.</p>Getty Images/EvaKaufman 1178167404 Getty Images Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran, is one of the islands of Republic of Kiribati

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/oceania/kiribati/kiribati-in-harms-wayKiribati is an island republic in the South Pacific, and is exposed to numerous natural hazards. From climate change to seismic activity, this is what travelers need to know.2019-11-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/oceania/kiribati/kiribati-in-harms-wayhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Kiribati's location puts it in the path of numerous natural disasters. It sits in an area of extreme seismic activity that experiences earthquakes underwater. This movement underwater can produce another disaster: tsunamis.</p> <p>Due to poor infrastructure standards, residents are often not notified of an incoming tsunami. <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-tsunami" target="_blank" title="How to survive a tsunami">Anyone who does find themselves in the path of an approaching wave should go to higher ground</a> or somewhere higher up in the are they are staying.</p> <p>Heavy rain and storms can also lead to flooding on the islands of Kiribati. Cyclone season falls between the months of November and April, so try not to plan a trip that falls during this time.</p> <h2>How climate change is affecting Kiribati</h2> <p>Kiribati is seriously affected by climate change, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-21/kiribati-hopefull-in-face-of-climate-change-rising-sea-levels/11228658" target="_blank" title="ABC">which is causing rising tides to consume the islands</a>. Predictions claim that the sea in the area will rise a full meter by the year 2100. The highest point across Kiribati's 32 low-lying atolls is the island of Banaba, which at its highest point only reaches 81m (265ft). The capital, Tarawa, reaches just 3m (9ft) at its highest point. In addition, almost all of the population lives about a kilometer from the coast.</p> <p>Extreme drought can also strike the atolls, which may force the government to restrict water use.</p> <p>While the sun can get hot, it's the humidity that can cause uncomfortable conditions for locals and travelers. Remember, if you need to cool off, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/11/22/131507772/water-water-everywhere-and-not-a-drop-to-swim-in" target="_blank" title="Don't swim in South Tarawa lagoon">don't do it in the South Tarawa lagoon</a> – which is litered with trash that can only be seen at low tide.</p> <h2>Coral, sharks and squalls</h2> <p>When you do find a clean place to go swimming in Kiribati, be really careful of sharp edges on the reefs, which can injure unsuspecting swimmers.</p> <p>Sharks and other marine life are plentiful around reefs, and can be seen within swimming distance of the beaches.</p> <p>Anyone who goes out on a boat should bring the right safety equipment, as squalls (a sudden increase in wind) can develop quickly. People have drowned here due to unpredictable seas, so if you are not a confident swimmer, don't swim out too far.</p> <p>On land, you'll want to watch out for falling coconuts, which can seriously hurt anyone who is walking beneath a palm tree when it falls.</p> <p>Do your best to avoid stray dogs – don't pat them.</p>Getty Images/JohnHodjkinson 1535230519 Getty Images A wave crashing on Kirtibati, Tararwa island