Sample packing list

General

	Photocopy original critical documents (passport, credit cards, etc.) and place in a safe place, note down telephone numbers for reporting lost credit cards etc.
	Commit any essential user names and passwords to memory
	Pack a change of clothes, your wash bag and essential medicines in your carry on luggage in case your main luggage goes astray.
	A locked rigid suitcase protects your clothes etc. better from damage and pilfering than a soft kit bag - but packing the later into a small aircraft or the back of a vehicle is a lot easier - include plenty of stuff sacks or plastic bags.
	Take a small bag/back pack for field trips and short journeys
	Take clothing and footwear appropriate to the climate, culture and nature of the work - remember even "hot" climates can be cold at night. A number of thin layers of clothing are more flexible than a smaller number of thicker layers. Natural fibres are more comfortable in warm climates than man-made fibres.
	Electrical equipment - check voltage, plugs and adapters
	Computer equipment - do you need to take your own?
	Include a set of "smart" clothes
	Do not take anything remotely military in style or appearance
	Check which items the Agency will provide before buying your own
	Note down the contact details for RedR's Technical Support Service.

Electrical/electronic equipment

	Laptop computer, mains adapter, mouse etc. (Windows XP, Microsoft Office, wireless and LAN cards/ connections, flash memory stick etc..)
	Emergency boot/recovery disks/OS installation disk
	Load templates with logo etc for headed paper, ID and business cards etc.
	Portable printer, mains adapter, spare cartridges and cable
	Modem, mains adapter, cable and line test meter
	Mobile phone (in which you can change the SIM card easily)
	SW radio, mains adapter and aerial
	MP3 player or Walk/Discman with cassettes/CDs or load onto computer
	International mains adapter plugs (see www.teleadapt.com) and spare batteries

Documents

	Contract
	Insurance documents
	Ticket
	Passport with exit and entry visas as appropriate
	Work permits
	Ordres de Mission
	Health certificates
	Record of blood group
	National and/or international driving license
	Plenty of passport photographs
	Address book
	Health insurance card with emergency telephone numbers
	Business cards
	Identify card(s)
	Contact details for home, work, RedR, agency etc.

Finances

	Cash – pounds/dollars/euros/local
	Travellers' cheques - check best currency and denominations
	Credit and direct debit cards
	Money belt

Clothing

	Jacket & tie, smart dress/kilt/suit
	Jeans, trousers, skirts
	Night-shirt/dress, pyjamas
	Shorts
	A couple of sets of long loose 100% cotton clothing to keep off the sun and insects
	Sun hat and glasses
	Underwear
	RedR T-Shirts or Sweatshirts – useful to identify other members
	Polo, long and short sleeved shirts
	Jumper
	Socks
	Flip-flops/sandals
	Stout shoes/work boots
	Hangers
	Towel
	Waterproof jacket with hood and possibly trousers
	Swimming costume

Equipment - mini tool kit

	Altimeter(s)
	Stopwatch
	Clinometer/Abney level
	GPS
	Compass
	Camera, films/memory cards and spare batteries
	Electrical test meter with battery test feature
	Electrician’s screwdriver
	Steel tape measure
	Swiss army knife or similar with cork screw, can and bottle opener
	Torch and spare batteries

Stationery

	Hard backed note book
	A4 ring binder with dividers
	A4 paper for printer
	Pre-cut card for business cards
	Small paper punch
	Small stapler + staples
	Calculator - solar and battery
	Organisational rubber stamp
	Glue
	Ball point pens
	Pencils
	Pencil sharpener
	Eraser
	Highlighter
	Large permanent marker
	Clothes marker
	Scissors
	String

Reference

Reference books and manuals, hard or electronic copies

Medicines & toiletries

	Agency medical kit, field First Aid kit, sterile medical equipment
	Shampoo and soap
	Malaria prophylaxis and treatment (with directions)
	Mosquito coils, repellent and 'anti-itch' cream
	Suntan cream/sun block
	Aspirin/Paracetamol and pain killers
	Laxative and emergency anti-diarrhoea medicine. Imodium is dangerous in dysentery and doesn't cure, discuss carrying an antibiotic such as Ciprofloxacin with your doctor
	Spare glasses/contact lenses and copy of optical prescription
	Contact lens solution
	Hairbrush
	Comb (a fine tooth comb will keep lice at bay)

Razor, shaving soap, brush etc.

Needles and syringes where local supplies can not be relied on - especially in areas where Hepatitis B and HIV are prevalent. Ensure you obtain a medical prescription for countries which would suspect anyone carrying them of being a drug addict, e.g. Malaysia.

Oral rehydration salts

Tooth brush, toothpaste and dental floss

Nail clippers/scissors

Liquid clothes detergent

	Foot powder and cream
	Tampons, contraceptives
	Water purifying tablets (iodine if possible otherwise chlorine)
	Thermometer (if glass, remember this cannot be taken as hand baggage)
	Assignment specific medicines
	Personal medicines and a list of the generic names of any medicines you might need

Miscellaneous

	Treated mosquito net
	Sleeping bag, cotton liner & foam bedroll
	Umbrella
	Reading material
	Airline blindfold, ear plugs and neck support for long/overnight flights
	Cigarette lighter
	Length of washing line and mini clothes pegs
	Unbreakable 1 litre water bottle
	"Goodies" - for you and your colleagues

Being prepared to go on assignment

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