ACCP Member Haiti Event
How do I get there and what will the arrival be like?
Attendees will need to book transportation from Miami to Port au Prince on a predetermined flight with American Airlines, exact flight info to follow. The airport may still be congested with relief operations and officials are only using a portion of the building due to damage and repairs. No visa is necessary for most countries entering Haiti, but you may be checked for a return ticket. Be sure to keep your entry card; you’ll be asked for this upon departure.
Relax on the flight and be patient on the ground as Haitian time can move at a bit slower pace. Outside of the airport you will be greeted by a staff member of Hands On Disaster Response. A shuttle will be arranged to take all attendees on a driving tour of Port au Prince and then directly to HODR’s field base in Leogane.
What kind of accommodations can I expect?
The accommodations will be a bit more rugged than a typical stay at a Hilton, but will provide an amazing opportunity to experience a disaster response field base and operations. HODR’s base is at Belval Plaza, an unfinished open air nightclub in the center of the town of Leogane, Haiti. Belval Plaza contains the field operation office, sleeping quarters for 100 earthquake response volunteers, kitchen, toilet, and shower facilities.
Inside, there is both bunk bed and tent sleepspace available. Please bring your own bedding and sleeping pad. A mosquito net is recommended. We have limited running water (toilets are flushed by bucket and bathing is by cold bucket showers, but trust us they’ll feel nice after a hot day in Haiti!). The space is somewhat built, but is not enclosed. Please pace yourself for the constant open air exposure. We will have electricity via generator, but the priority is to provide power each night from 6PM to 10PM. Please carefully consider your electrical needs before you pack. Wifi is available at the base.
How do I get money in Haiti?
Prices here are comparable to those in western countries but with accommodations & meals provided, you will simply need some spending money. We recommend that you bring cash in US dollars to convert to local currency for the duration of your stay. Have some small US bills on hand as well. The official currency is the Haitian gourde (HTG). You will be able to change money in Leogane but there are NO ATMS so this should not be your source of currency. There are also no ATM machines at the PAP airport.
What will the weather be like?
The weather is hot, dusty, and sunny during the day, and mild, dusty, and dark in the evenings. We suggest packing a mid-weight jacket. Temperatures are expected to rise and remain hot through the course of the project. The rainy season will begin soon, and locals say that evenings typically have a few hours of rain.
What is the food like?
Breakfast will be cereal/bread, tea and coffee. Lunch/dinner will be a hot prepared Haitian meal. Haitian cuisine consists of rice and beans, plantains, a limited amount of chicken, pork, goat or beef, spaghetti, and modest vegetables. Bananas, mangoes, and citrus fruit are available in the local market. We will easily be able to accommodate vegetarian diets at our base. You may wish to bring some comfort food for a personal stash.
Packing list
Must bring:
Sleeping pad/air mattress & sleeping bag(We DO NOT provide mattresses/bedding)
Mosquito net
Insect repellent
Hat
Trail/Work Boots
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Passport + copies
Highly recommended:
Headlamp
Personal items/toiletries/towel
Cash (USD)
Sunglasses
umbrella/poncho
earplugs
travel insurance policy
For the optional volunteer day:
Gloves
Work boots
SENSE OF HUMOR
Remember, PACK LIGHT, it is hot here!
There is no electricity service in Leogane. We have a generator supplying power from 6PM -10PM. Electricity in Haiti is 110V to 200V AC (The same as in the US & Canada.) The most common plugs are the 2 parallel flat pins without grounding, and you may find some plugs with the grounding pin as well. Please seriously consider your needs prior to packing anything requiring electricity.
Anything else I need to know?
Several of our volunteers have made enthusiastic recommendations for country-specific reading material. Here is a brief list of recommended reading:
• Mountains Beyond Mountains, Tracy Kidder
• Damming the Flood, Peter Hallward
• The Comedians, Graham Greene
• Krik, Krak, Edwidge Danticat
• Creole Made Easy, Wally Turnbull
Lonely Planet has also just published a new Dominican Republic/Haiti guidebook.
If you have any other questions you can contact:
Andrew Kerr
Development Officer
919-830-3573, Andrew@HODR.org