contingencies, security, group Vaccination requirements. Proof of international travel or health communication, evacuation, terrorism/political unrest, insurance. behavior and dress guidelines, misconduct, stress management, and conflict resolution. DISTRIBUTE MISSION TRIP INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL TREATMENT CONTINGENCIES CHECKLIST, CONSENT FORMS, ETC., TO TEAM Having member of the group with medical training Get signed parental approval forms for any should be a high priority for mission organizers; minors and liability releases for each adult. quality medical care is not available at all Assumption of risk form destinations. Trip participants should be provided with location The house of worship’s attorney should of nearest hospital or medical facility and preset draft an assumption of risk form, in plans for transporting injured or ill group which risks are clearly described and members and communicating with non-English assumed by adult participants. speaking medical providers. Parents cannot assume risks on behalf of their children, but can sign a form EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN allowing their child’s participation and authorizing a Group leaders should create an emergency designated person to make emergency communication plan and designate a person in medical decisions. the U.S. to relay accurate information to families and/or the media. ESTABLISH MISSION TRIP BUDGET TRAVEL INSURANCE ESTABLISH COST PER TEAM MEMBER The group (or each group member) should AND COLLECT NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT purchase a travel insurance policy. Many domestic insurance policies do not extend internationally or do so on a limited basis. CONFIRM THAT ALL TEAM MEMBERS HAVE, Medical coverage on policies should include: OR APPLIED FOR, A PASSPORT Hospitalization Medical care in case of illness or accident PLAN FUNDRAISING EVENTS Emergency air evacuation for medical reasons Repatriation of body in case of death COMMUNICATE WITH CONTACTS AT DESTINATION Proof of health insurance is required in Group leaders should communicate with many countries missionaries and house of worship leaders in the A copy of each team member’s health destination area, who are valuable resources for insurance should be included with other cultural information, local laws, the availability of important travel documents safe drinking water, etc. (continued on back) CREATE CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN Travelers should be adequately informed of potential risks and should be trained in crisis management. Mission Policies should include information and plans of action for medical
Vaccination requirements. Proof of international travel or health insurance. DISTRIBUTE MISSION TRIP INDIVIDUAL CHECKLIST, CONSENT FORMS, ETC., TO TEAM Get signed parental approval forms for any minors and liability releases for each adult. Assumption of risk form The house of worship’s attorney should draft an assumption of risk form, in which risks are clearly described and assumed by adult participants. Parents cannot assume risks on behalf of their children, but can sign a form allowing their child’s participation and authorizing a designated person to make emergency medical decisions. ESTABLISH MISSION TRIP BUDGET ESTABLISH COST PER TEAM MEMBER AND COLLECT NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT CONFIRM THAT ALL TEAM MEMBERS HAVE, OR APPLIED FOR, A PASSPORT PLAN FUNDRAISING EVENTS COMMUNICATE WITH CONTACTS AT DESTINATION Group leaders should communicate with missionaries and house of worship leaders in the destination area, who are valuable resources for cultural information, local laws, the availability of safe drinking water, etc. CREATE CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN Travelers should be adequately informed of potential risks and should be trained in crisis management. Mission Policies should include information and plans of action for medical contingencies, security, group communication, evacuation, terrorism/political unrest, behavior and dress guidelines, misconduct, stress management, and conflict resolution. MEDICAL TREATMENT CONTINGENCIES Having member of the group with medical training should be a high priority for mission organizers; quality medical care is not available at all destinations. Trip participants should be provided with location of nearest hospital or medical facility and preset plans for transporting injured or ill group members and communicating with non-English speaking medical providers. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN Group leaders should create an emergency communication plan and designate a person in the U.S. to relay accurate information to families and/or the media. TRAVEL INSURANCE The group (or each group member) should purchase a travel insurance policy. Many domestic insurance policies do not extend internationally or do so on a limited basis. Medical coverage on policies should include: Hospitalization Medical care in case of illness or accident Emergency air evacuation for medical reasons Repatriation of body in case of death Proof of health insurance is required in many countries A copy of each team member’s health insurance should be included with other important travel documents (continued on back)
2808-HMT-HOW-Misson-Trip.docx