TRAVELING TO PROGRAM

We're excited to have you joining us on program in Louisiana soon!

As you may know, the DM12 initiative was created out of a need to mitigate the risk of mobilizing volunteers to our programs during COVID-19. Now that you've been selected for the program, we want to make the transition to on program life as smooth as possible. At any point during your travels to Louisiana, you need assistance, you can reach out via email, phone or WhatsApp.

Please be aware that we require all volunteers to arrive at our base with a molecular-biological (PCR test) or Antigen COVID-19 test taken in the last 7 days, indicating they test negative. Please familiarise yourself with the risks of COVID-19, and review our COVID information page and Practical guide to understand the changes we have made to protect volunteers, staff, and the communities we work with.

Once you have been selected, received your invitation, and sent us your Volunteer Service Agreement, Hold Harmless Agreement, and Travel form, we will work with our partners Airlink to book your round trip flights to Lake Charles Airport, your return airfare will be for Saturday, July 10th, 2021 Your roundtrip airfare may not include baggage. Please see below for more details about our partners at Airlink.

We've partnered up with Airlink who have generously offered to cover the cost of volunteer travel to our DM12 program. After completing your Volunteer Service Agreement, Hold Harmless Agreement and travel form we will work with Airlink to book your round trip flights to Louisiana.

Airlink is a nonprofit organization working with aviation and logistics partners to transport relief workers and emergency supplies for reputable non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responding to rapid-onset disasters and other humanitarian crises around the globe. You can read more about Airlink on their website.

As you head out to the program, please take pictures of your journey, including at check-in, on the plane or with the flight crew or gate agents, so we can share photos with Airlink and their airline partners. Wherever possible, please try to capture photos with the airline's logo visible. Consider posting on social media to thank Airlink for their generous support. Give them a shoutout like, "Thanks @airlinkflight for getting me to Louisiana to volunteer with @allhandsandhearts!”

If you choose to drive to the base, we do offer gas reimbursement for driving to the program. Please indicate that you will be driving to base when you fill out the travel form. There are gas stations along the way (and close to our base) so you can fill up as needed and parking is available on our base.

If you are selected to join our program in Louisiana, once all your invitation forms have been completed we will share the base address with you.

All volunteers must take a molecular-biological COVID-19 test (PCR) or Antigen Test within seven days prior to travel. The test should be taken no earlier than May 9, 2021. Please email these results to louisianahurricanerelief@allhandsandhearts.org as soon as you have received them. Also plan to travel with a copy on you. Don’t forget to allow enough time for the results. If you mention you’re volunteering with disaster relief, it might expedite the process.

We are requesting all volunteers take the test before traveling to help mitigate the risk of exposing others to COVID-19.

During your travel to the program, we ask that you continuously monitor your health. Please let a member of staff know immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish (chills/sweats)

• A new continuous cough

• Mild or moderate difficulty breathing

• Sore throat

• Muscle aches or body aches (unexpected)

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• New loss of taste or smell

Please take the time to read our COVID-19 safety measures and check local restrictions before traveling to Louisiana. We trust you will work to reduce any risk of exposing yourself, your fellow volunteers, and the community we serve in Louisiana. If you choose not to follow our COVID-19 safety guidance or any other element of our Code of Conduct, we reserve the right to ask you to leave. Our priority is to keep all volunteers safe and protect the community we serve from being exposed. We ask that you can mitigate any risk.

What COVID tests does AHAH accept? Molecular-biological (PCR) tests are preferred. However, we will accept the antigen tests in the event you can't get PCR results in time.

When do I take the test? You must take the test within 7 days of your arrival to the program. We can not accept test taken outside of this timeframe.

What must be included in the results? The test results must include your full name, the date the test was taken, the type of test, and the negative results. We can not accept the test without this information.

What do I do with the results? Please send a copy of your test results to our Volunteer Coordination Manager at louisianahurricanerelief@allhandsandhearts.org or text results to 978-799-7158.

Have more questions? Head over to our FAQ page!