Algiers - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Mental health seems to be a big issue at post as we are literally trapped in Algiers. Within Algeria travel is difficult, too much red tape. There are few flights out of Algeria, and they are expensive and unreliable. - Dec 2021
Yes, with COVID Algeria had become a hardship post, as unlike other countries, there the airport was totally shut down. It was basically and still is from what I hear a hardship post without any benefits as travel has still not resumed. In country movement is restricted as well. - Oct 2021
Covid has been difficult. Whenever there is a spike, the govt tends to just shut everything down. Restaurants, beaches, and even parks have been closed for the most of covid so it's hard to get any mental relief. Travel is also very difficult to arrange as a result so mission personnel can rarely get out of Algiers. If you are looking for a post where you can just get in your car and go on a road trip and camp or hike freely every weekend, this is not the place for you. We have to have escorts everywhere and that can be a giant pain to deal with. You have to plan every trip with the minute details and ask for permission from the MFA to travel days in advance of leaving, so if you like to plan last minute travel this is probably not for you either. Remember that this is a hardship post! - Aug 2021
Currently with Covid restrictions, all borders/flights are shut. No travel allowed within the country. Seven months plus restrictions is taking its toll. - Oct 2020
None I'm aware of. - Sep 2019
No - Mar 2019
Because of the size of the post and limitations on in-country travel, people started to go stir-crazy after 3+ consecutive months in Algiers if their management didn't let them leave for at least a long weekend. No exaggeration. - Sep 2016
Get out every couple of months to Europe before you start to go crazy. There's a flight Thursday night to Barcelona that comes back early Sunday morning so you can get out and not miss work. - Jun 2016
