Joplin Helps Haiti

It is important that the group has a master list of all the medical supplies and medications.  That way when you get to the Dominican Republic you will know what else you want to purchase there. It is very easy to buy medical supplies in the Dominican Republic.  Many stores even take credit cards or you can get pesos from an ATM.  (it is not like that in Haiti) Narcotics are the only things you need a prescription for. You cannot take expired medications.

If you would like to let Joplin Helps Haiti know about your trip, or partner with the organizations we have relationships with on the ground in Haiti, please Contact Jacky Pierre at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Len Clevenger. Be sure to include your emergency contact information. I.E. - Someone’s name, phone number(s) and e-mail address AND a list of all the medical supplies and medications you are bringing! Be sure to let your families know communication back and forth will probably be limited.

In case you have not already checked into this it is recommended that you get the following vaccinations before travelling to Haiti: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus.  You should begin taking a malaria prophylaxis right away.

Each passenger can bring two checked bags up to 62 inches (length+width+height) weighing no more than 50 lbs, and one carry-on up to 45 inches (length+width+height) weighing up to 40 lbs.  You can also bring a personal item, ie. backpack.  Often teams use military style duffle bags as their checked luggage because they are light, flexible and can be brought back more easily.

Here is a suggested packing list:

• Clothes for 10 days-- humid weather in upper 80's - Scrubs or long pants for working.  Shorts are acceptable for men when not working. Usually the mission asks that women wear skirts when not wearing scrubs, but I’d say this is a special circumstance being so last minute.  Knee length and sleeveless shirts are fine.
• Tennis shoes for walking
• Flip flops--if preferred when not walking far
• Toiletries--keep in mind carry-on fluid restrictions (2 oz. or less, pass through security in its own ziploc)
• Towel
• 2 rolls toilet paper
• Bug spray
• 1 roll paper towels
• 2 boxes 1-gallon ziploc bags
• 3 boxes sandwich ziploc bags (for giving pills to patients)
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Stethoscope, otoscope, and other medical equipment (Don’t assume anything you need will be there.)
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Protein bars/other ready to eat food (can be purchased in the DR also)
• Consider mosquito net
• Malaria prophylaxis
• Pepto-Bismol tablets (plan on 2 BID for traveler's diarrhea prophylaxis)
• Passport
• 4 photocopies of passport--1 for each bag, 1 for team leader.
• A set of clothes for church, nothing fancy, a nice shirt will do