What to bring on a humanitarian trip?

You are ready to go on a humanitarian trip but you are still wondering what to bring for such a humanitarian trip.

Following my humanitarian travel experience in Tanzania, I decided to write this article to help you prepare as well as possible for your humanitarian trip.

Official documents to bring on a humanitarian trip

First of all, it is essential for you to bring your official documents necessary for your humanitarian trip.

Among these documents and depending on the country you are going to, it is essential to bring:

• Passport: your passport must be valid. Note that for many destinations, the passport must be valid 6 months after your humanitarian trip. 
• Visa: a visa is required for some destinations. To do this, find out about your destination country and take the necessary steps to obtain your visa if a visa is required.
• International driving license: it all depends on what you plan to do during your humanitarian trip. Be aware that it may be interesting to rent a car or a scooter to visit the country before after or during your humanitarian trip. If this is the case, do not hesitate to take your international license with you. Be aware that between the time you apply for an international license and the time you receive it, it can take 1 month or more. So anticipate that!
• Air tickets : Obviously, it may be complicated to go to a foreign country to make your humanitarian trip without your plane tickets.
• Vaccination record: this one is to take only if certain vaccines are obligatory in the country where you will make your humanitarian trip
• Bank card or cash: remember to unlock your international bank card. Depending on the bank, it is possible to activate an international option in order to reduce bank charges. Depending on the country, it may be difficult to pay by credit card. Therefore, you will have to take cash.
• Photocopy of your documents : When you go on a humanitarian trip, it may be prudent to keep photocopies of your official documents in case of loss or theft.

Bags or suitcases to take on a humanitarian trip 

To go on a humanitarian trip, you will need a backpack or a suitcase.

The choice between suitcase and backpack will depend on your preferences and your destination. However, for the sake of convenience, I advise you to take a backpack rather than a suitcase. 

I therefore advise you to take:

• A large backpack from 50L to 80L: Obviously, the size of the bag depends on the duration of your humanitarian trip. Do not take a backpack that is too heavy. A bag of 10kg to 15kg maximum is more than enough. Also, remember to fill your bag only 3/4 if you want to bring back souvenirs.

• Small backpack : in which you can put all your small personal belongings. Also, this bag will be useful for you daily for a walk.

The first aid kit to bring on a humanitarian trip

During your humanitarian trip it is essential to think about your health and therefore to take the necessary in case of a small problem. 

To avoid this, I advise you to take with you in your first aid kit / toilet:

• Mosquito repellent : 1 or more depending on the length of your stay but also depending on the country of destination.
• Pansements : dressings can help with small wounds
• Anti-malaria treatment: Depending on the country where you will be making your humanitarian trip, it may be mandatory or strongly recommended to take treatment against malaria.
• Disinfectant : in case of injury
• Solar cream : this may be essential in certain countries where the sun is very present. 
• Biafine / after sun cream : in case of burn or sunburn, you will be delighted to be able to relieve yourself thanks to this cream. 
• Your fund treatments if necessary (asthma, epilepsy, allergies etc.)
• Medicines: anti-inflammatories, drugs against diarrhea, against fever, against headaches and others etc.
• Medical mask : this kind of mask may be useful depending on the country you are going to. For example, in India or China in very polluted cities this can be very useful. 
• Laundry soap: this can be useful when doing your laundry by hand
• Intimate wipes may still be useful depending on hygienic conditions 
• Ointment against itching
• Earplugs : to be able to sleep peacefully everywhere
• Basic toiletry bag: toothpaste, toothbrush, brush, razor, soap, shampoo, intimate hygiene products for women etc.

Clothing to bring on a humanitarian trip

Obviously, during your humanitarian trip you will have to bring clothes for everyday life.

I therefore advise you to bring:

• Slides / flip flops / sandals: for the beach if there is one or for the shower quite simply and everyday life
• A pair of sneakers : to play sports or go for a walk or to work on construction sites or in gardens etc.
• Waterproof: to protect you from the rain when needed
• Swimsuit : only if you go somewhere where a swimsuit will come in handy. 
• Clothes adapted to where you are going (shorts, t-shirts, pants, sweater etc.): learn about the culture and what you can and cannot wear during your humanitarian trip.

Electronic accessories to bring on a humanitarian trip

If you wish, you can bring certain electronic accessories during your humanitarian trip:

• Phone : a phone will allow you to keep in touch with your loved ones and to be able to stay in touch during your small expeditions 
• Camera : this will serve to immortalize your humanitarian trip. However, keep in mind that in some countries, locals don't like to be photographed. So respect the people and the country.
• SD card : If you don't want to run out of memory while capturing the beautiful moments of your humanitarian trip, then I recommend that you bring memory cards for your camera.
• Chargers: don't forget your phone chargers as well as for the camera.
• External battery : An external battery can be important to be able to recharge your electronic devices at any time. A solar external battery would be the best option.

Other accessories to bring on a humanitarian trip

To make your humanitarian trip as successful as possible, it is advisable to bring in particular:

• A torch ou front : for the evening and power cuts
• Water purifying tablets, a filter gourd or an filter straw : I personally recommend filtering gourds or straws which are found to be better for your health than water tablets
• Power adapter : depending on the country you are going to, it may be essential to bring an electric adapter.
• A duvet et a sac à viande : find out about their usefulness before leaving but they are strongly recommended
• Mosquito net : it can be used in tropical countries. You may be provided with some, but it often happens that the mosquito nets that have been installed for a long time in hotels or hostels have holes in them and are therefore useless.
• Cap or hat: it is essential in countries where the sun is beating.
• FLOOR MATS : depending on where you will be staying, you may need a sleeping mat to sleep on. I recommend a light sun mat that does not take up much space.
• Vacuum bag that reduces the size: these covers save a lot of space in your backpack to go on a humanitarian trip
• Chains : a small padlock can be very useful at any time. It is therefore an essential to have
• Sunglasses : essential accessory to protect your eyes during the humanitarian trip
• A travel diary : to write down your thoughts and memories during your humanitarian trip

Things to bring on a humanitarian trip for the local association

Depending on the project in which you will participate during your humanitarian trip, you have the possibility of bringing certain accessories for the local population as well as for the association.

In particular, you can bring:

• Balloons: kids love these balloons all over the world
• School supplies : pencils, colored pencils, pens, notebooks etc. 
• Books for children and locals
• Personalized clothing to distribute
• DIY tools etc

I advise you to discuss with the local association where you will go to make your humanitarian trip before bringing anything and everything. 

Find out about the real needs. 

Often, some people collect donations of books, school supplies, books before joining a humanitarian travel project. 

Also, it may be interesting to run the economy of the country you are visiting rather than buying notebooks and pens at home and bringing them back to the locals.