How to Voluntour: Give Back While Seeing the World

9. Safety, health, and legal considerations

Safety and health should be top priorities before any voluntourism trip. Confirm what medical preparations the program requires and whether it provides emergency plans, local contacts, and insurance recommendations. Check vaccination advice and consult a travel clinic well before departure. Understand the legal side too: visa requirements differ by country and by the length and nature of your work. Some countries require specific volunteer visas or work permits for paid placements. Ask the provider about background checks if you’ll be working with children or vulnerable adults. Also verify housing standards, local transport safety, and the availability of medical care in the area. Programs that conduct risk assessments and share them with volunteers demonstrate better planning, and those that provide clear emergency procedures and 24/7 local support give volunteers added assurance. Pack a basic health kit and keep copies of important documents in secure cloud storage and with trusted contacts at home.