We currently advise against all but essential travel to Haiti. An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit Haiti on 12 January 2010. There are media reports of a large number of casualties and of extensive damage to infrastructure, including buildings in the Port au Prince area. British nationals in Haiti are requested to contact the British Embassy in Santo Domingo on telephone number 001 809 472 7111 or by email at: brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do to confirm their wellbeing. If you are a worried relative in the UK, you should contact the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1500. You should monitor local and international media reports and follow advice of international agencies and governments.

British nationals in Haiti who want to be evacuated and have a valid passport should make their way to the airport, if safe to do so, and go to the British Consular Reception Centre. British nationals without a passport should make their way to the British Consular Reception Centre at the Canadian Embassy, and ask for contact to be made with British officials at the airport.

UK nationals in Port au Prince are advised that it is not safe to move in the city after dark. Our advice remains that British citizens requiring assistance are advised to contact the British Embassy in Santo Domingo (telephone number 001 809 472 7111 or by email at: brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do) or send an SMS message to the emergency outside office hours number 001 829 726 0753. # There is no British Embassy in Haiti. Routine enquiries should be directed to the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic . For emergency consular assistance please contact the Honorary Consul in Port-au-Prince.