Sibling is moving to a developing country with high crime
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Anonymous
Yes, I say it about almost all countries (obviously there are a handful that are unsafe all around). Colombia has parts that are safer than others. |
Anonymous
| I moved to a “developing country with high crime” and lived there for 7 years. I loved it and my children thrived. My sibling and some friends were panicked and refused to visit. Their loss! |
Anonymous
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Wow, there's a lot of negative assumptions and dismissiveness.
OP - It's perfectly understandable to feel anxious if your sibling is moving to a third world country with a high crime rate. But maybe they will live in safer neighborhood? I mean, crime is high in DC -- but we know some areas are much safer than others. There are some countries with overall high crime rates but it can vary a lot depending where you are located. |
Anonymous
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I come from one of these countries.
The thing is, back home there are safe neighborhoods and unsafe neighborhoods. There are walls and security and nobody in my family has ever gotten hurt. One cousin got robbed when she walked home late and she was most upset about losing her study materials for a college class. We are taught from a young age to not look at the thief, give them what they ask for slowly, and keep walking at steady pace — because it’s not worth risking your life to argue over your phone. Nobody else has experienced any crime. On the other hand everyone in my family is terrified for my kids because they’re convinced everyday in an American school is playing Russian roulette with their lives. (The articles about the school shooter wannabe, arrested in Rockville are not helping.) They also struggle with the randomness of the violence in the United States. In my country there are very dangerous places but there are very safe places and you can choose to go to safe places. In the U.S. there are mass shooters in schools, malls, bars and concerts. Nowhere is safe. |
Anonymous
All the time. But there’s nothing you can do about it, So focus on what you can control: your reaction. |
Anonymous
| If it helps, OP, a lot of expats in "dangerous" countries live in gated communities. It doesn't sound fun to me, but they're safer. |
Anonymous
Have them stay in the US of A where their kid can get shot during art class at school, or you can get shot at a super bowl parade. But then how on earth would you be able to be racist? |
Anonymous
| You should send your sibling a link to the article everytime there is a crime. |
Anonymous
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Ask your sibling if they've been briefed on the security issues and how they plan on adjusting their daily life. This is particularly important if there are kids involved, although usually governments and institutions do not send families if the local situation is too volatile. |
Anonymous
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I lived in Afghanistan and in Iraq during IS. If they are going for a job there should be a security person they can talk with. Their organization just won't send them willy nilly. If they are going on their own, they should do research before moving. They shouldn't be dumb. Don't be open that you're an American, be respectful of the country, people, and culture. Don't go to the same places everyday, don't go to and from home the same way. Make local friends. Try and learn the language.
In Iraq I was based in Erbil and lived in an apartment, walked around, went to the store, etc, on my own. Another person in the building had let their residency permit lapse or something and the Asayish (the kurdish security services) were there right away. They knew what was up. I was never harassed in Iraq (was in Afghanistan and have been plenty of times in the USA). I wouldn't have moved there if I had kids. Also, make sure your sibling gets medicine and things if they don't have in the country. Many organizations will give you a kit with medication or see a travel doctor. I also recommend advil, imodium,electrolyte packets. I got migraines in the summer because it was so hot, so I came back to the US and got migraine medicine. Anything you might not be able to find there just bring in case. If they have dengue or malaria get that sorted too and bring big repellant, etc. Update your vaccines. America is also unsafe. My family was freaking out both times (I lived in both countries for years) and I read an article that Chicago had more deaths during a period I lived overseas. You can go to the mall in America and be killed. If you're worried have some sort of safe phrase like have them ask how your dog is doing and you don't own a dog. Ask them to email you or contact you once a week or something. I constantly contacted my family because it made them feel better. Or ask to be part of the family find my phone group or something and say you'll only use it for emergencies. Have you asked your sibling about the move? Is it for a job or are they just moving there? Ask and don't be judgmental about it. Do they have a will and things written down in case there is an emergency? Do they have emergency insurance through their job or paid for themselves if they need to fly back to the US for medical care? What is their medical insurance like? Do they need kidnapping insurance? Again, if they are going for a job, the job will have this all set up. You can only control yourself. Worrying doesn't help anyone. |
Anonymous
| Is it the Congo? I would be concerned as well |
Anonymous
DP Yes, Even the drug cartel violence is in the past. A lot of tourists and digital nomads and retirees from the west. In any city there are safe and unsafe places. |
Anonymous
| You sound ignorant and like you never traveled anywhere. |
Anonymous
Actually you sound ignorant. This is not about traveling. This is about living in another country. Totally different things. |
Anonymous
And now you sound even more ignorant. |