IMPORANT: Cholera
Haiti has recently been under threat of cholera with over 1,700 death and many more infections since October. Cholera is an easily preventable and treatable disease. This link to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website is a helpful primer. We drink and cook with treated water so there is very little danger. We do not eat food off the street that an transmit the disease. In the unlikely event someone contracted cholera we have access to medical treatment. Currently the disease is not endemic to our area though it is spreading throughout Haiti.
Team Leaders
An important note for those of you leading teams. If you are organizing the trip on your own you also need to read on. Two important details need to be taken care of for all those traveling on a short-term team to Haiti. First, ensure you have purchased medical evacuation insurance. This is necessary in case some medical emergency requires you to be flown out to the United States for treatment. Please call David Nakhla, Short-term Missions Coordinator at the OPC head office to sign up your group. The insurance is not very expensive but necessary.
The second item is to register your group with the State Department. This weblink will take you to the State Department website where you can complete the registration. This will let them know you are traveling to Haiti in case any unrest requires your evacuation.
Passports
If you do not already have a passport, you will need to apply for one well in advance of the trip. The current waiting period is at least 4-6 weeks, so you should apply as soon as you sign up for a trip to Haiti. To obtain a passport for the first time, you may find out more information at: http://travel.state.gov/index.html
When arriving in Haiti you will be asked to fill out a Customs and Immigration form. These will be made available on the Port-au-Prince segment of your flight. It will ask for an address and contact while you are staying in Haiti. Here is the information:
Benjamin Hopp/Km 61 Rte Ntle #1/Kaliko Beach, Haiti/Tel: 3-755-3050
Haiti is a tropical country and therefore has various diseases that we are not familiar with in the United States and Canada. Be sure your normal inoculations are up to date. Especially check your tetanus vaccination. Check with your doctor or local tropical medicine clinic for the vaccinations and medications you will need. Another good place for getting various inoculations is your County Health Department.
Malaria is endemic to Haiti and a real danger though not life threatening when treated in a timely fashion. We recommend you get anti-malaria pills that you will take once a week (1 week before, during the trip and 4 weeks after). Most people have no problem with taking cholorquine. The chance of getting malaria while on prophylaxis is virtually zero.
Typhoid fever is another disease carried by mosquitoes in Haiti. The inoculation is a pill you take several times and guards you against the disease for 5 years. This is highly recommended. There is also a shot that is good for typhoid for 3 years.
Hepatitis is also a problem in Haiti. Hepatitis A is a waterborne disease and inoculation is required. Hepatitis B is spread through blood. Contact is less likely, but if you are planning on coming regularly or traveling to third-world countries often it is recommended. The easiest way to ensure you have all the shots is to visit a travel clinic, tell them you are traveling to Haiti and they will let you know what they recommend for your situation.
Since from time to time people experience “extreme intestinal discomfort” we recommend bringing along Imodium and Cipro. You can get Imodium over the counter and Cipro is a prescription you can get from your doctor. Benadryl is also a good idea particularly if you react to insect bites.
If you are traveling to Lagonav you will be making a 1 1/2 hour ocean crossing. If you tend toward motion sickness bringing pills such as Dramamine will be a help.
- Malaria prophylaxis - must have
- Hepatitis A - must have
- Hepatitis B - recommended
- Typhoid - must have
*** One other note. Please do let us know if you have any food allergies or other medical issues so we can plan appropriately.
Money
All costs on the ground including food will be taken care of through funds given to the Haiti Mission to cover said costs. No need to bring extra money. You may want to bring some small bills for carts at the airport ($2 each) and a snack or drink in the airport on the way out. You can also bring small US denomination bills to purchase souvenirs.
Electronic Devices
We have electricity and internet at our house in Kaliko. The mission phone will be made available on Lagonav for each person to make 1-2 short calls home each week. For emergency contact my cell phone in Haiti at 011-509-3-755-3050. If required you can check e-mail at Kaliko and once or twice per week on Lagonav.
We do have regular electrical service each night. Phones, Ipods and other devices can be recharged at night. we recommend you leave any valuable electronics at home.
Tools
Most of the tools for the jobs you will do here in Haiti will be available here at Kaliko or the Lagonav Guest House. You may want to bring your own tool belt and any small tools such as hammers that you are comfortable with. Your team leader will take care of making sure any other needed tools are brought along.
Clothing
Light, comfortable, summer cotton-clothing is best. Modest dress is preferred in the general Haitian culture, but this is especially true among Haitian Christians.
Remember that it will be hot and humid during the day and cool off only slightly at night. No sweaters or jackets required!
*Shoulders must always be covered. No tank tops.*
- Travel to/from Haiti on airplane – pants/jeans and t-shirts/poloshirts are fine.
- In Haiti when outside our Kaliko home or Lagonav guest house:
- skirts/tops for girls
- long pants/jeans/short-sleeve shirts for guys
- At Kaliko home or Lagonav guest house:
- modest shorts/t-shirts are acceptable
- For Sunday church services:
- skirts/tops for girls
- long pants/collared shirt for guys (tie if you would like)
You are able to do your own laundry manually if you like. Remember that clothes will not dry overnight, so plan accordingly. Laundry soap and supplies will be provided here in Haiti.
- pair of light-weight or cotton casual pants (Sunday)
- one dress shirt for church (a polo-style shirt is okay)
- grubby pairs of pants/work shorts
- grubby T-shirts for working (sleeves please)
- swimsuit
- water shoes (for rocky beaches)
- bedding including sheets & pillow – mattresses are full size
- underclothes for each day - plus a couple extra just in case!
- sturdy shoes and socks for walking/working
- flip-flops (for the shower) and relaxing after hours
- sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
- work gloves
- Cipro and Imodium for intestinal issues
- towel
- personal hygiene needs (soap, deodorant, etc.—mini-sizes)
- small flashlight/headlamp, extra batteries
- PASSPORT!
- small Bible, pen
- anti-Malaria pills (chloroquine)
- bug repellent (we use Sawyer which is great and long lasting)
- one roll of toilet paper
- camera
- personal water bottle (we will drink treated water)
- hand sanitizer (wash hands frequently)
- ear plugs (these REALLY help to sleep through the nights which can be noisy!)
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