Weekly Safety UpdatesLast updated: December 1, 2009; 1:38 p.m. To assist group leaders, parents, and individuals in learning the most up-to-date information about safety in Mexico, please check back here weekly to view current statistics, read Amor Safety Statements, and download a list of Frequently Asked Questions & Answers. Statistics* | Safety Statements | Download Files | - 420 Projects (homes, classrooms, centers, etc.)
- 282 Groups (in Baja California, Chihuahua, and Sonora, Mexico)
- 8,696 Individuals(in Baja California, Chihuahua, and Sonora, Mexico)
*Figures reflect totals between January - August 6, 2009. For more information about these statistics, please contact Mission Services at 619.662.1200 extension 6. | Response to Travel Alert (6/8/2009) - (Short Excerpt) Because Amor has chosen to provide additional safety measures to avoid areas of concern and because travel has not been restricted to Mexico, we feel comfortable taking your short-term missionaries to our carefully selected and pre-designated work areas. Swine Flu Alert (5/19/2009) - (Short Excerpt) Amor Ministries is taking this health risk seriously and is keeping abreast of new information to keep you safe. Safety in Mexico with Amor - (Short Excerpt) Amor Ministries has built a strong presence in Mexico over these past 29 years through excellent relations with the local government, the police, and the communities we serve. Frequently Asked Questions - (Short Excerpt) What new things have you implemented to keep groups safe?
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Frequently Asked Questions Current as of 6/28/2009
Response to Recent Travel Alert Recently, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Alert dated February 27, 2009. To better inform our participants about the current social conditions of Mexico, Amor Ministries is offering a brief explanation of the alert. It should first be noted that the general public has on occasion, used the term “Travel Alert” and “Travel Warning” interchangeably. These are, in fact, two very distinct messages according to the U.S. Department of State which defines them as: - Travel Warnings – “Are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a coun try dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens is constrained…”
- Travel Alerts – “Are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risk to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks…or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert.”
You should be aware that Mexico is not a country that meets the definition for “Travel Warning.” Recently, however, a Travel Alert was issued as is typical for this time of year. In the Ministry’s 29-year experience, the Consulate has regularly issued a “Travel Alert” which often times has been in response to the high volume of college and underage drinking that occurs in Mexico over spring break. Nonetheless, we want you to know that Amor Ministries takes each Travel Alert seriously when making decisions about your safety. Because of this, we would like to inform you that the latest Travel Alert states that violence along the border is a concern and that U.S. citizens traveling in the area should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. It also states, however, that “Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate businesses and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.” Because Amor has chosen to provide additional safety measures to avoid areas of concern and because travel has not been restricted to Mexico, we feel comfortable taking your short-term missionaries to our carefully selected and pre-designated work areas. Furthermore, armed with information from Amor’s contacts in the U.S. Consulate and from the Mexican mayoral staff and police officials who serve the communities that we support, the Ministry feels confident that we have made the best decision for our participants, the Pastors, and the Mexican families we serve. Additionally, to further provide you complete information about such travel alerts, we encourage you review the Web site yourself. There, you will find detailed information about the United States position on travel to Mexico. On the “Frequently Asked Questions” page, for example, the question: “Are Americans being told not to travel to Mexico?” is of particular importance. The answer listed: “No. The Travel Alert only gives information to American citizens about a temporary situation which may affect their safety and security.” More detailed questions and information can be read at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html. Click on “Mexico Travel Alert” or “Recent Embassy Notices for American Citizens". We hope this information proves useful to you in spite of misleading media reports. Lastly, Amor Ministries remains committed to you and to the peoples of Mexico. 
Scott and Gayla Congdon *Quotes taken from http://travel.state.gov
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