What to Bring

Teams need to be self sufficient. Because there may be space limitations on vehicles going to and from relief sites, bags should be easily portable. Please try to limit luggage to one bag per person, with small hand-luggage. Participants should not count on being able to purchase many items in country.

In addition to your usual packing list, the following items are needed. To be most effective, please bring your personal tools.

 
Personal Supplies
Toilet paper in zip-lock bag
Alchohol-based hand sanitizer
Sun block (SPF 15 or higher)
Insect repellent containing 40% DEET
Menstrual supplies
Extra pair of prescription glasses, copy of prescription, protective glasses case
Spare contact lenses and all cleaning materials
Skin moisturizer
Lip-balm with sunscreen
Towel - highly absorbent travel towel if possible

Clothing
Comfortable light-weight clothing (natural fibers recommended)
Long trousers (men and women) or long skirts (women)
Short trousers (men only)
Short-sleeved shirts no bare torsos or shoulders
Long-sleeved shirts
Hat
Work boots
Flip-flops/shower shoes
Bandana/handkerchief
Sturdy gloves
  Miscellaneous
Torch/flashlight
Film/batteries
Electricity converters
Sunglasses
Swiss Army knife
Personal medical supplies (e.g., prescription medication) should be carried in original, labeled containers. (Unlabeled medication can be confiscated at airports.)
Tools and Equipment
Safety goggles
Masonry trowels
Bring a few hammers per team
Dust masks
 
In addition to your personal tools, donations of the following tools would be greatly appreciated.
\ Block hammers
Breaker bars
Carpenter's angles
Cordless drills with masonry and wood bits
Crow bars
Flat trowels (4”x 6”)
Hammers with fibeglass/steel shanks
Handsaws
Heavy duty extension cords
Heavy duty staple guns and 3/4" staples
Levels (short)

Metal squares
Metric measuring tapes
Skill saws with extra blades
Plumb bobs
Speed squares
Wire cutters
Wood chisels
Yankee hand drills with bits
Wood clamps: 6" C- clamps and Bar- clamps
Wood planers
Consider packing these tools in a five-gallon bucket with a lid -- look for one with canvas pockets - for use on a work site. Or bring in a sturdy bag or box.

If you'd like to furnish one of the following, please ask you team leader on how best to ship or carry:
Dual-wheel flatbed carts
Flat shovels and spades with fiberglas handles
Foldable ladders

Radial arm saws
Scaffoldigframes
Steel shovels
Steel wheelbarrows with solid rubber tires
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