How to prepare for a humanitarian trip?

You are ready to take the plunge and begin this new humanitarian travel adventure. That's excellent news ! However, don't go too fast as there are a few things that you need to check before embarking on this amazing experience.

For my part I went on a humanitarian trip for a few months in Africa and so I decided to describe in this article the different subjects on which I advise you to pay attention to prepare your humanitarian trip as well as possible.

Why take a humanitarian trip?

Going on a humanitarian trip is a personal choice. There may be many reasons to go on a humanitarian trip. So I won't be able to develop all of these reasons, however some people choose to go on a humanitarian trip to take a break from their routine, others to focus on the essentials of life, still others. quite simply to be able to give a little bit of their time while traveling but also by discovering a new country as well as a whole new culture.

How to prepare for a humanitarian trip?

To make a good humanitarian trip, it is essential to organize it a minimum.

Indeed, for that, many elements are to be taken into account before your big departure for your humanitarian trip.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: insurance

By monitoring the longevity of your humanitarian trip you must have a provident insurance. This will have to cover you in the event of an incident for rapid repatriation etc. For this purpose, different options are available to you:

• Insurance of your bank card: frequently gold bank cards offer great insurance. However, this insurance does not usually cover beyond 90 days abroad. Read your insurance agreement carefully.

• Insurance of your personal insurance (MAIF etc.)

• Special travel insurance: for example you can use Chapka Assurance, ACS, AVI, Allianz Travel, Assur Travel Europ Assistance etc.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: health and vaccines

Most vaccine recommendations and obligations differ depending on the country selected. In addition, these recommendations have the possibility to evolve depending on the particular situation of the country. So it is recommended to go on the Pasteur website in order to inform you and certify that you are up to date with vaccines before leaving on a humanitarian trip. I strongly advise you to make an appointment with your doctor prior to your departure on a humanitarian trip in order to obtain the advice of a specialist. In addition to vaccines, it is recommended to go on a humanitarian trip with a first aid kit for first aid in the event of an incident.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: the visa

Many countries require obtaining a visa before going to the country. Consequently, it is essential to inquire in advance on the need or not to obtain a visa before making your humanitarian trip. For this I recommend that you go to the government website for travel advice to give you information on the steps to take before making your humanitarian trip.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: safety

The security and geopolitical situation of the country in which you are going to make your humanitarian trip is a really essential item to learn about.

Indeed, I recommend that you go on the government website to find out about the geopolitical situation of this country.

Also, we invite you to learn about blogs and also forums to get an idea of ​​the safety and dangers in the country.

It may be appreciable to register on the government breadcrumb trail prior to your departure on a humanitarian trip in order to prevent your stay and the period of this stay if the country ever becomes “risky”, etc. Likewise, by registering on this government website, you will be notified of any change in the situation.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: country information

Prior to your departure for your humanitarian trip, find out about the country.

Indeed, cultivate yourself on the opening of this country to tourism:

What are the tourist outings? What to see? What to do?

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Don't stop there and find out a little about the culture and traditions of this country. Indeed, you owe it to yourself to prepare yourself at least for a few rules that could be completely different from life in your country of origin.

Prepare for various changes especially concerning clothes, religion, attitudes to avoid etc.

This will allow you to integrate more easily with a population but also with a culture that may present itself as completely different from yours.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: preparing a budget

It is crucial to plan a budget for the whole humanitarian trip. This will allow you to monitor your budget as well as possible in order to make the most of this humanitarian trip.

A range for your budget will suffice and will give you the possibility of being able to organize the activities in which you wish to participate in the best possible way.

Indeed, part of the budget targets the price of humanitarian travel. This price normally includes accommodation as well as meals throughout the collaboration with the humanitarian travel mission.

To this, you will probably have to add from your pocket all the extras you want to do (tourist activities, etc.).

Obviously, you will not need to spend a single penny more if you do not come after or before your participation in the humanitarian trip.

Preparing for a humanitarian trip: preparing for the mission

Finally, to properly prepare for your humanitarian trip, it is very important to prepare for the humanitarian mission.

This involves in particular course preparations or design of course material if you ever go to carry out a project in education.

Also, you can take the opportunity to bring back books or any kind of business to distribute in the village where you will go.

We invite you to speak with the people who will supervise you on site in order to best target the needs and expectations of the local association.