FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED: THINGS TO HAVE IN YOUR GO-BAG IF YOU ARE IN A FRONTLINE OR TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED AREA
Volunteers in the frontline and temporarily occupied territories are a solid support for local civilians and the military. However, there are many risks associated with volunteering in areas close to the front line. The better we prepare our safety plan and, accordingly, our action plan, the easier and more effective our work will be. Personal safety is a key aspect of our work.
Main tasks of a volunteer:
- To survive and protect your and your colleagues’ health.
- Not to harm civilians or the military with your actions.
- To save, help, and make people’s lives easier.
It is essential to develop a safety plan for the organization/group — an action plan for different cases and possible threats. Every volunteer and organization staff member should understand the logic of what should be done, when, and what should be avoided. This will simplify interaction and help avoid misunderstandings.
Prepare two backpacks
It’s best to have two emergency bags, each filled differently depending on the situation.
For an urgent evacuation, you should include all your most valuable belongings, documents, money, and the most essential clothes.
Always carry a smaller bag that can cover your needs for a few days on a work trip. It should include your passport, sufficient cash, a laptop, power banks, flashlights, a thermos, water, instant food or snacks, medicines, a change of underwear, and hygiene items.
Things to keep in mind
- Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it.
- Wear practical and comfortable clothing. In the field, tourist or tactical clothing works well.
- Your clothes should not have military colors or symbols. As long as you are a civilian, you are protected under international humanitarian law. Also, it is not recommended to put on brightly colored clothes to avoid drawing attention.
- In areas close to the front line, wear a bulletproof vest (protection level 4 or 5) and a helmet (protection level IIIA). Equipment and clothing should be of non-military colors (preferably black or navy blue).
- Carry charged devices, power banks, and batteries with you.
- If you are traveling by car, always have two spare tires and a small tool kit to prepare for an emergency on the road.
- Check the journalists’ accreditation and general information about their media outlets. In case of doubt, do not cooperate with them.
Here are some additional materials for you to learn more:
- National Information Bureau
- Rules of conduct in a combat zone
- How to behave in captivity to save your life
You can find this and other information in a manual developed by the Ukrainian Volunteer Service.