LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

To Conference Participants:

Below is information you may find helpful in planning your participation in the conference Health Security in Central Asia: Drug Use, HIV and AIDS on October 14 2002 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

1. Travel to and from Dushanbe, Tajikistan
2. Visas and Transit Visas
3. Hotels
4. Traveler's Health

1. Travel to and from Dushanbe, Tajikistan

You will be asked to make your own travel arrangements to and from the conference and to be responsible for the costs. However, if necessary, Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Tajikistan will be happy to assist you with flight arrangements to and from Dushanbe. These flights, in particular, are often difficult to secure from North America or Europe. Please contact Zarina Abdulaeva directly for assistance with these flights at zabdulaeva@osi.tajik.net or (tel.) +992 372 21-19-58; or by fax +992 372 51-01-42. Please be prepared to fax or e-mail her a copy of your passport.

OSIAF-Tajikistan will also, as needed, arrange for your transportation to and from the airport in Dushanbe.

There are very few flights in and out of Dushanbe and space on each of the flights is limited. Please contact Ms. Abdulaeva immediately to find out schedule information and availability so that she can assist you in making your arrangements.

2. Visas and Transit Visas

Obtaining a Tajik visa can be a lengthy process, so please allow a minimum of three (3) weeks for processing if you are applying at a Tajikistan Embassy or Consulate. You cannot obtain a Tajik visa in the United States.

You can also obtain a visa at the Dushanbe airport if you present to officials a visa support letter from the Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (OSIAF-Tajikistan will supply this), the letter of invitation, your passport, two color passport photos, and US$52 for visa processing fees (amount subject to change). The cost of visa processing will be borne by your government or organization.

In traveling to Dushanbe, you will likely travel through a country that requires a transit visa. You will have to acquire a transit visa for Russia, Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan before you leave home from an embassy or consulate.

3. Hotels

You will be asked to cover the cost of your accommodation. (The Open Society Institute will pay for all meals during the conference except the breakfasts included in the cost of your hotel room.) Pending availability, OSIAF-Tajikistan can book you a room at one of two hotels in Dushanbe: the Hotel Kayon (deluxe room with breakfast: $100, semi deluxe with breakfast: $50) or the Hotel Avesta (deluxe room with breakfast: $170, semi deluxe room with breakfast: $140).

4. Traveler's Health

The following vaccinations are recommended for travel to Central Asia. If you have not already done so, please get vaccinated immediately to give the shots time to take effect. For more information on suggested health precautions, please visit the US Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/travel/easteurp.html

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
• Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• Typhoid, as there is currently an outbreak of typhoid in Dushanbe.
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for 11- to 12-year-olds who did not receive the series as infants.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Zarina Abdulaeva at OSIAF-Tajikistan at zabdulaeva@osi.tajik.net or (tel.) +992 372 21-19-58; 21-32-60; 24-22-75 or by fax +992 372 51-01-42.