Humanitarian Training

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There are no unusual safety or security problems associated with the Summer Institute or travel to Macedonia. But like all outdoor training activities in the United States or abroad there are some risks you need to be aware of.

Physical Conditions

During this training event you will be moving people and supplies along dirt roads, setting up tents and equipment, and looking after people with simulated injuries and other conditions. There is always a possibility of personal injury. In addition there are environmental hazards such as loose rocks or stones that could contribute to a twisted ankle, for example, or insects and snakes that can bite.

For these reasons, you must be in good physical condition and you are required to bring your own personal protective equipment, such as boots, heavy cargo pants, and work gloves. Additional protective equipment will be provided by the Institute. Working outdoors in the heat can also prove physically challenging. For this reason we require all 08 participants to bring their own hydration systems such as "Camelbaks".

Health and Medicine

All personnel attending the Summer Institute must have supplementary medical insurance. At all times Institute participants will be accompanied by Macedonian Army medical personnel and can be evacuated to the leading military hospital in Skopje should the need arise.

For comprehensive health information for travelers please consult the World Health Organization website.

Security

During the two-week Summer Institute participants are guests of the Macedonian Ministry of Defense and will be escorted by military personnel until the end of the event. For general information see also the US State Department's "Tips for Traveling Abroad".

Stress

The Summer Institute can be a very stressful event for many people. You will be working hard all day long for at least five days at a time. You'll be up at about six in the morning and may not get back to bed until midnight or later depending on the events that day. You may experience culture shock and feel homesick having little contact with your loved ones back home. At other times you'll be asked to fill leadership roles that you may not be accustomed to or familiar with. Despite weeks of preparatory work and days of intensive training you may still feel that you're operating way out of your "confort zone" applying new skills under mock disaster or emergency conditions. Exercise role-players and actors may prove to be intentionally difficult, hard to deal with, or even hostile to you, your colleagues, and your exercise mission.

The Institute is designed to be very challenging, so feeling stressed is a normal response to these events. Talk with your colleagues and talk with exercise staff - you'll find that everyone wants you to succeed and benefit from this experience and will help.

Emergency Contact Information

Your friends and family can contact you using the following telephone numbers in the event of an emergency: TBA Spring 2009.