Safety

“Is it safe?” This is one of the most common concerns of potential volunteers. The answer is that it is up to us and it is up to you.

Your safety and security is our priority. By volunteering abroad in a developing country, you are choosing to spend time in a nation with widespread poverty. Therefore, it is important to be well-informed about how to stay safe, as well as volunteer with an organization like The Humanity Exchange that understands the importance of safety for participants.

How do we ensure safety?

• Local Expertise – Every volunteer is assigned an in-country Exchange Manager (EM) who is available 24/7, or will be guided by a representative from our local partner. Whether you have an EM or local partner representative, you will have guidance from the moment you arrive at the airport (and of course before you depart). We will help you learn how to live abroad and how to stay safe.
• Your accommodation will be located in the safest areas of the cities where we work, no exceptions.
• We stay informed. We operate in safe and peaceful areas. If an area becomes unsafe because a tsunami hit or there is a political crisis, we are informed from the beginning and do not send volunteers where there is unreasonable risk to personal safety.

How do you ensure safety?

• Follow Local Advice- If we advise you to, for example, stay away from a certain part of town or to not go out alone late at night, please listen closely to our advice. We take considerable effort to make sure you are well-informed. It’s up to you to use the information we give you wisely
• Purchase travel insurance. Accidents happen, and by purchasing travel insurance before you depart you will have the coverage you need in case of emergency, a laptop breaking, a wallet being stolen, or needing to buy medication for that stomach bug picked up on a weekend adventure into the mountains.

Embassy Registration

Most volunteers can register with their government’s Department of International Affairs (or equivalent). If your country offers this, you are expected to register with your government before departure. By registering, your government can contact and assist you in an emergency, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home.

Registration for Canadian Citizens

Registration for American Citizens

Registration for Australian Citizens

Registration for UK Citizens

Registration for Irish Citizens

Insurance

No matter how prepared or informed you are, things can and do go wrong. To help keep you safe and healthy, we require all volunteers to purchase travel insurance. Click here to find insurance information with Volunteer Card, our insurance partner.