Nauru 2020 Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, which oversees security for U.S. government interests in Nauru. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Nauru. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Nauru country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Nauru at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nauru as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Despite the minimal risk, crime can have an impact on the work and life of the community. Review security practices to mitigate risk of petty theft. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind.

Cybersecurity Issues

Nauru has made some advances in its cybersecurity roadmap. Since 2015, Nauru has regulated child pornography and illegal access to computers and program data. In 2018, Nauru Police Force officials with cooperation from the Australian Federal Police developed the Cyber Safety Pasifika campaign that seeks to educate the local populace on the dangers of the internet. There have been reports that Nauru has been blocking popular websites as a result. Exercise normal security precautions when using public computers. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

The main road circling the island is paved, but the remaining roads are unpaved. There is no organized roadside assistance, although there are mechanics and car repair facilities on the island. Animals and pedestrians walking in the road make night driving hazardous. Traffic moves on the left in Nauru. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Use of seatbelts is mandatory.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Nauru 2020 Crime & Safety Report

Public Transportation Conditions

Nauru has no official taxi service, but visitors may be able to negotiate car hire from a local. Transportation service is limited to a community bus that travels along the outer loop of Nauru, private vehicles, and courtesy shuttles operated by a few hotels.

There are several buses in Nauru, although these are used for commuting purposes. Passengers must flag down public buses in Nauru, rather than hailing them at designated stops.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Nauru International Airport (INU) is the only airport in the country. It hosts flights from Brisbane, Honiara, Nadi, and Tarawa. There have been no reports of items stolen from checked baggage. Maintain awareness of belongings at all times, use Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks, and retrieve checked bags as soon as possible.

Access to and from Nauru is limited to a small number of commercial air flights each week. Transportation may face interruptions due to weather, political or labor disputes, economic difficulties, and other reasons. If an emergency arises, prepare to remain in Nauru until the emergency passes or to arrange for a private air or sea charter from the island.

Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nauru as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nauru as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The presence of the Nauru Regional Process Centre, an offshore Australian immigration detention facility, remains a highly contentious issue in the region. Although protests regarding this issue are often located in Australia, protests have also occurred in Nauru in the past year. Avoid demonstrations and large crowds. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Nauru is an island nation subject to natural disasters, including floods and tsunamis. Due to its proximity to the equator, Nauru does not experience major cyclones, compared to other Pacific island nations. Although the probability of an earthquake causing a tsunami is remote, earthquakes do occur regularly due to its proximity to the Pacific Plate boundary.

Nauru 2020 Crime & Safety Report

Critical Infrastructure

Many buildings in Nauru do not have fire alarms or fire suppression equipment in close proximity or at all. Fire alarms at tourist hotels are sporadic with some evacuation plans in place. The fire emergency line in Nauru is 112. Review OSAC’s report, Fire Safety Abroad.

Hotel space is limited; book before arrival.

Economic Concerns

Nauru is not a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the WTO, or any organization protecting intellectual property rights. As a result, the frequency of pirated items has not declined and stores may sell pirated copies of movies, television shows, music, counterfeit clothing, jewelry, and other luxury goods.

The Australian dollar is legal currency in Nauru. Prepare to pay cash for hotel bills and all other services, since credit card services are not available. ATMs are accessible in Meneng Hotel, Capelle and Partner’s Supermarket, Nauru International Airport, and the Bendigo Bank. No incidents of credit card fraud or the use of card skimming devices has occurred recently. However, exercise caution, as criminals have targeted ATMs in surrounding South Pacific nations. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Personal Identity Concerns

Nauruans are generally polite and respectful towards women. However, domestic violence remains a problem. The government has criminalized domestic violence and revenge pornography. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Nauru. LGBTI+ refugees residing in the detention centers report having been the target of frequent discrimination. The law does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, nor does it specifically cite sexual orientation, though it could be used to aid in the prosecution of bias-motivated crimes against LGBTI+ persons. There are isolated reports of violence against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Nauru. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

Accessibility of buildings, and communications and information for persons with disabilities is not mandated. There are no special accommodations for persons with disabilities. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Nauru is an ethnically homogeneous nation, predominantly composed of ethnic Nauruans. There have been no reports of internal ethnic conflict. Non-native visitors will stand out as foreign, but report little if any bias or criminal targeting based on ethnicity.

Nauru 2020 Crime & Safety Report

Drug-related Crimes

Authorities strictly enforce drug possession laws. Penalties for possession of any amount includes fines and possible jail time. In 2018, Nauru Police signed a law enforcement cooperation agreement with Taiwan to combat transnational crime. There are no reports of drug-related violence.

Kidnapping Threat

There is minimal risk from kidnapping in Nauru. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Other Issues

Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

Importation of explosives, firearms, pornography, drugs, and weapons is illegal. Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries.

Police Response

The police emergency line in Nauru is 110. Report all incidents of crime to the local police authorities. Remain calm and polite when interacting with the police to avoid misunderstandings. For administrative calls to local fire and police posts, dial +674-557-0112.

The police force, under the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, maintains internal security and, as necessary, external security. The country has no military force. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.

Carry a copy of your passport on your person, as police often ask for identification of all parties involved in any type of incident.

Detained U.S. citizens should request to speak to a U.S. Embassy representative in Fiji. Police have generally treated arrested or otherwise detained foreigners well. Be aware that the assistance the Embassy can provide is limited to making sure U.S. citizens are not being treated differently from local detainees, and providing them with a list of local attorneys.

Medical Emergencies

The medical emergency line in Nauru is 111. Emergency response is extremely limited due to road and ambulance conditions and infrequent flights. The state-run Republic of Nauru Hospital, located in Arijejen, is the main hospital in Nauru; one other Public Health Centre is located in Nibok. The hospital can provide services in emergency medicine, anesthetics, ICU, Obstetrics, Genecology, Pediatrics, Radiology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, and Urology. The Public Health Centre is limited to Primary Care and Public Health. For a list of available medical facilities, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Nauru 2020 Crime & Safety Report

Republic of Nauru Hospital works frequently with international medical evacuation (medevac) services. A September 2018 report of Nauru blocking the transfer of an air ambulance was predicated on the patient’s refugee status, and not comparable to what a non-refugee resident or traveler would experience.

Carry adequate supplies of any needed prescription medicines, along with copies of prescriptions, the generic name of the drugs, and a supply of preferred over-the-counter medications due to Nauru’s reliance on supplies from the Netherlands and Australia. Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.

Travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas must carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Use bottled water rather than drinking from a tap. Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?

The following communicable diseases are prevalent: Dengue, Typhoid, Tuberculosis, Diarrhea. Typhoid may occur in rural areas with poor sanitation.

While the government affords Nauruan citizens free healthcare, international visitors must pay for services. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. A medical evacuation to Australia can be very expensive and severely limited by the lack of regular flights out of Nauru. Medevac will likely cost thousands of dollars, and will be considered only if the patient has adequate insurance or pays up front. In some cases, a medevac to Australia can require a medical visa. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on insurance overseas.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Nauru.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, and Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is no OSAC Country Council in Nauru. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Asia-Pacific team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

U.S. Embassy Suva: 158 Princes Rd, Tamavua, Suva, Fiji Telephone: + (679) 331-4466 Emergency: + (679) 772-8049 Website: https://fj.usembassy.gov/ Nearby Post: Virtual Presence Post Tonga

Nauru 2020 Crime & Safety Report

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

• OSAC Risk Matrix • OSAC Travelers Toolkit • State Department Traveler’s Checklist • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)