MISSION resources and prep
SUGGESTED Reading Before Deployment:
Before joining an EP mission, we ask all volunteers to review and utilize these short, high-impact resources. They provide the foundation for safe, ethical, and effective work in some of the most challenging environments on earth.
*Click any image below to access the resource
EP MISSION FIELD GUIDE
A practical handbook designed for volunteers deploying with EP. It provides essential guidance on preparation, safety, clinical work, cultural respect, and teamwork in the field. Combining checklists, protocols, and ethos - it helps volunteers serve effectively while upholding dignity, professionalism, and solidarity with the communities we support.
WHO EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAM BLUE BOOK
WHO EMT “Blue Book” — Classification and Minimum Standards for Emergency Medical Teams
The global framework for how medical teams operate in disasters and humanitarian crises. Sets standards for safety, ethics, logistics, and minimum clinical capabilities.
Sphere Handbook
The humanitarian charter and global minimum standards in humanitarian response — from food and water, to shelter, to health services.
A concise way to understand the broader realities our patients face.
MSF “Refugee Health: An Approach to Emergency Situations”
A practical field manual used worldwide. Covers maternal health, communicable disease, nutrition, and the essentials of working with displaced populations.
Caring for Survivors of Abuse & Sexual Violence
Field providers may encounter patients who have experienced sexual violence, abuse, or exploitation. It is critical to respond with sensitivity, safety, and evidence-based care.
WHO Clinical Handbook: Health Care for Women and Girls Subjected to Intimate Partner Violence or Sexual Violence
Practical guidance for frontline health workers on managing disclosures, providing clinical care, and ensuring safety and dignity.
Supplemental Essentials:
PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID: GUIDE FOR FIELD WORKERS (WHO)
Simple, actionable steps for supporting patients and communities in distress:
Download WHO PFA Guide
OUTBREAK & TRAVEL HEALTH BRIEFS
Stay current on infectious disease risks in regions where we work.
WHO Disease Outbreak News
CDC Yellow Book
LIST OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES (WHO)
List of medicines considered most effective and safe to meet the needs of a health system.
WHO Essential Medicines 2023 (PDF)
WHO BLUE BOOK SUMMARY FOR EP MISSIONS
EP Blue Book Essentials (PDF)
KEEPING CLINICS FLOWING: TRIAGE & PHARMACY ESSENTIALS
Guide on managing throughput bottlenecks, triage and pharmacy; to keep missions safe, efficient, and patient-centered.
Triage and Pharmacy Bottleneck Essentials (PDF)
(WHO) PACKAGE OF ESSENTIAL NONCOMMUNICABLE (PEN) DISEASE INTERVENTIONS
PENS PACKAGE (PDF)
EP HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
A field guide for managing hypertension safely on rural medical missions, mindful of care disruptions and limited access.
EP HTN PROTOCOL (PDF)
EP Code of Conduct
All volunteers are expected to abide by Emergency Project’s standards of conduct in the field, ensuring professionalism, respect, and safety for patients, colleagues, and communities.
Mission Essentials Checklist:
All EP volunteers should come prepared with the basics for living and working in challenging, resource-limited settings. This list is designed to help you stay effective, safe, and resilient on mission.
Personal Essentials:
Passport (valid 6+ months) + printed copies + VISA (if needed)
Personal medications (at least double the amount you need for the mission length)
Lightweight, breathable clothing (field-appropriate, culturally respectful)
Sturdy closed-toe shoes / boots
Rain jacket or poncho
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Reusable water bottle + hydration tablets
Headlamp or small flashlight (with spare batteries)
Power bank + charging cables (international adapter if needed)
Basic toiletries + hand sanitizer + wet wipes
Insect repellent (DEET or equivalent)
Small personal first aid kit (bandages, blister care, OTC meds)
Snacks / protein bars for long days
Professional / Clinical Essentials:
(EP provides shared medical gear, but bringing your own basics ensures readiness)
Stethoscope
Scrubs / clinical attire
Protective eyewear
Pocket hand sanitizer
Small notebook + pens for patient notes / teaching
Lightweight backpack or sling bag for clinic days
(Optional but useful): pulse oximeter, trauma shears, penlight
Field & Travel Items:
Local SIM card or international phone plan (if available)
Small backpack or daypack for field travel
Quick-dry towel
Copies of mission contact info, insurance, and emergency plan
Travel insurance details (if not provided by EP - our partnership with Global Rescue and their contact info is available in our Code of Conduct and Safety Manual above for travel/rescue/health insurance purchase)
Mental & Cultural Prep:
Humility, flexibility, and adaptability — the most important “tools” in the field
Awareness of local customs and respect for cultural norms
Willingness to work in resource-limited environments without expecting perfection
Team spirit: readiness to share tasks, support colleagues, and pitch in beyond your role
Tip: Pack light, pack smart. Everything you carry should make you more effective, more resilient, or more respectful of the communities we serve.
your Mission Faq’s
Before every mission, volunteers have important questions about travel, lodging, clinical work, and what to expect in the field. Our FAQ documents are designed to make preparation easier, covering everything from packing lists and daily schedules to safety guidelines and cultural expectations. Each FAQ reflects the unique context of the country where we serve, helping you feel ready, confident, and focused on patient care.
Download PDF: