Major FAQ-Nepal

	About Nepal volunteer program (In General)
	Applying for the Nepal volunteer program?
	Airport and Arrival Information
	Room and Food
	Visa
	Health and safety
	Vaccination
	Money Matter
	Field Support and supervision
	Communication
	Climate of Nepal
	Materials to Bring
	Gift for Host Family and Project
	More About Nepal

Health and safety

Volunteer should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Nepal . We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.

WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )

WHO Nepal (http://www.who.int/countries/en/)

Tips for visitor to Nepal (http://kathmandu.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html)

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road, NE
  Atlanta , GA 31333
  (888) 232-3228
  (888) 232-3299 - fax information service

• Health Canada Online
• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Travel Report
• U.S. State Department & Consular Information Sheets
  Room 4811
  2201 C Street NW
  Washington , DC 20520
  (202) 647-5225

• Travel Health Online
• Travelers' Health

General Health Tips for volunteer in Nepal

• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
• Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Some of the better known brands are, Aqua Fina, and Himalaya . Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact to avoid being sold tap water in a resealed bottle.
• Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Don't eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
• Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to Nepal ) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
• If traveling in scorching heat, r em em ber to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Beware of the health effects that the mid day sun may cause, most importantly SUN BURN or DEHYDRATION.
• Pharmacies or ch em ists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low (less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
• In Nepal , most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise with any prescription drugs you require, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include r em edy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc.

Vaccination

We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov.) Your travel doctor will know about current epid em ics and should be consulted.

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South Asia including Nepal .