U.S. Citizen Services
Emergency Services
Family Emergencies
If your family needs to contact you because of an emergency at home, or because they are worried about you, they may call the State Department's Citizens Emergency Center at (202) 647-5225. The State Department will relay any message to us and we will attempt to contact you. If you are registered, and if you have signed a Privacy Act waiver, we will be able to provide information about you to your family.
Medical Emergencies and Health Concerns
All Americans traveling to Turkmenistan should make sure that their immunizations are up-to-date. Turkmenistan's water systems are aging and poorly maintained, and often contain high levels of nitrate and other chemicals. Water should be filtered and purified. A good rolling boil for 10 minutes will kill most bacteria and a good filter will remove most heavy metals and impurities. Several brands of bottled water may be purchased locally. However, they may also contain some contaminants. Meats should be cooked thoroughly and fruits and vegetables should be washed and peeled.
Please click here for a list of English speaking physicians and/or facilities available in Ashgabat.
Arrests
If you are arrested in Turkmenistan, ask the authorities to notify a Consular Officer at the American Embassy immediately. If you believe another American citizen has been arrested in Turkmenistan, please contact the Embassy at 35-00-45 or through the Citizens' Emergency Center at (202) 647-5225 (U.S. phone number). While you are in Turkmenistan, you are subject to Turkmen law and procedure, which are often quite different from U.S. law and procedure. If you are arrested, the Embassy will not be able to override local law or get you out of jail. However, if Turkmen authorities discriminate against you because you are American, treat you unfairly compared with normal Turkmen procedures, or treat you in a manner that violates international treaties to which Turkmenistan is a signatory, we may be able to intervene on your behalf.
We will provide you with a list of local attorneys, visit you in jail and, if you wish, contact members of your family on your behalf. We can also transfer money, food and clothing that is providd by your friends and family to prison authorities from your relatives for your benefit. If you are tried and convicted of a crime, a consular officer will visit you periodically to ensure your well-being while encarcerated. In the end, only the Turkmen authorities have the authority to resolve a dispute.
Please click here for a list of attorneys.
Deaths of American Citizens
The death of any American citizen in Turkmenistan should be reported immediately to the Consular Section. If the next-of-kin is not residing here with the deceased at the time of death, we will notify the nest-of-kin of the death and work with them to carry out the wishes of the deceased with regard to burial or repatriation of the remains. The Consular Section can also, with the next-of-kin's permission, act as a liaison between the family and local authorities on certain matters. We will prepare the necessary documents to allow the family to return the body to the U.S., if that is the family's wish. The Consular Section will also issue a Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad, based on the Turkmen death certificate, which can be used in the U.S. for most legal purposes in lieu of a U.S. death certificate. Be advised that burial costs and cremation cannot be borne by the U.S. government and are the responsibility of the next-of-kin.
Medical Evacuations
The Consular Section has limited information on various air ambulance companies that perform medical evacuations ("medevacs") the U.S. or Western European countries. While we can help you or your family make contact with a medevac service, the U.S. government cannot pay for your medical evacuation. You should make sure that you have medical evacuation insurance before the need arises. We strongly advise all American citizens travelling to Turkmenistan to obtain medevac insurance.
Disasters & Civil Disorders
If there is a natural disaster or some civil disorder, we will notify American citizens through the Embassy's warden system and provide appropriate instructions and advice. If you are caught in a disaster or disturbance, let your relatives know as quickly as possible that you are safe. You may contact the Consular Section and ask us to pass a message to your family. Above all, remain calm, follow events through news reports and try to follow instructions from the Embassy. In the event of a disaster, we give priority for assistance to Americans who have been hurt or who are in danger. Be aware that the Embassy may be facing the same problems that you are, such as a lack of fuel, telephone connections or electricity. Please prepare a disaster plan for your family that factors in several methods for communicating with your friends, family, and the Embassy.
