Crime rates tend to rise during the end-of-year holiday season, according to a recent alert issued for Malawi. The increase in holiday travel and the presence of out-of-town visitors can create more opportunities for criminal activity, including robberies and residential break-ins.
The advisory urges people to be vigilant, especially at night, and avoid isolated areas. It recommends maintaining a low profile, walking in pairs or groups when possible, and not resisting robbery attempts. People are also advised against carrying large amounts of money or valuables and should avoid confrontations as well as gatherings such as street demonstrations or political rallies.
Other recommendations include only sharing personal information with trusted individuals and not leaving valuables inside vehicles.
For assistance, U.S. citizens in Malawi can contact the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe during business hours at +(265) (0)88 477 3166 or use the after-hours emergency line at +(265) (0)88 296 0178. Email inquiries can be sent to LilongweConsular@state.gov. Additional resources are available on the embassy’s website at https://mw.usembassy.gov.
Travelers are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and follow official embassy accounts on X and Facebook for further information.