Warden Message
February 26, 2009

Announcing Warden Alerts via SMS Text Messaging

The U.S. Embassy is issuing this warden message to announce a new system that will help the Embassy communicate more quickly with Americans in case of a crisis.  Beginning today, when the Consular Section sends out a Warden Message via email, it will also send a TEXT MESSAGE to American citizens in Ethiopia, alerting them of the Warden Message and advising them to check for the Warden Message in their email inbox or to go to the Embassy’s website.

Today, Consular Section staff sent a text message to Americans in Ethiopia for whom it has cell phone numbers.  It asked Americans to check the Embassy’s website or to check their email inboxes.

For this reason, it is vital that the Consular Section have your cell phone number (and that of all members of your family), so that we can alert you via SMS TEXT MESSAGE in the event of a crisis.

If you did not receive a TEXT MESSAGE, or if you would like to provide the Consular Section with an updated cell phone number or additional cell phone numbers for members of your family, you are encouraged to contact the Consular Section via email at consacs@state.gov .  Please include the name of the person whose cell phone number it is and provide the cell phone number in the following format for each member of your family:

First Name: Joe
Last Name: Williams
Mobile Telephone: 251-911-123456.

In the subject line of your message, please write “Add My Cell Phone Number.”  Consular Section staff will add your cell phone number to its database and include you on any future TEXT MESSAGES.

TEXT MESSAGING offers several benefits.  It can reach more people much faster than email.  It can reach numerous members of your family simultaneously.  And, it can reach you when you are away from your home or the office.  TEXT MESSAGING will not replace Warden Messages via email.  It will compliment them. 

Thank you for your attention to this message and for helping the Embassy communicate more effectively with you.

Americans are reminded to review their personal safety and security posture and to remain vigilant especially at public events and venues.  Americans are advised to beware of unattended baggage or packages left in any location, including in minibuses and taxis.  Americans are strongly urged to review all the Department of State’s cautions about travel in Ethiopia, contained in the Country Specific Information for Ethiopia on the Department’s website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1113.html.  The Embassy’s recent warden messages are available at: http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/service.html

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)

The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa; telephone: 251-11-124-2424; emergency after-hours telephone: 251-11-124-2400; consular fax: 251-11-124-2435; web site: http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/.