Security
We live in uncertain times. Like many places
in the world, travel within Honduras involves certain risk
to one’s
property or personal safety. We rely on the hosts and local
leadership for up-to-date MEH safety information. However,
travel safety is also everyone’s personal responsibility.
Most MEHers will feel as safe in Honduras as they do at
home in the USA, if they take some simple precautions. Common
sense is always the rule.
Your team leader, local Honduran pastors, and the MEH
leadership in Honduras will bring to your attention any situations
that would place you at risk. Take their advice seriously.
Most tips about security center around not creating temptation
for opportunistic theft.
1) Do not take jewelry or an expensive watch. Wear a cheap
watch, and leave all but your most simple, unobtrusive
jewelry at home. Taking real gold is not appropriate—leave
these items at home. Not only will you be more secure,
but more culturally appropriate as well.
2) Don’t wear flashy or expensive clothing
for the same reasons.
3) Be discreet when exchanging currency in
public or when making purchases. Do not display large amounts
of cash. Don’t
flash a wad of cash when making a purchase. When out and
about, carry larger quantities of cash in a security “belly
pouch” under your clothes. Carry smaller quantities
of money to use in your pocket (more secure than a purse).
4) Carry any valuables in a discreet manner. For example,
keep your camera in a pocket or fanny pack, instead of around
your neck or shoulder.
5) While traveling, keep your passport and
cash on your body at all times. A “belly pouch” is best. This
flat cotton pouch tucks under your waistband and is hidden
from view. The more visible “neck pouch” isn’t
as secure for passport and valuables. When traveling, the
most secure place for your passport is to always have it
with you, well-hidden and protected from theft.
6) At each site in Honduras, teams stay in
a place that is secure for the team’s valuables.
The only people who will enter your rooms are either team
members or trusted
local individuals who will enter to clean. Team members can
tuck their cash and passport in an out-of-the-way corner
of their suitcase and leave it there during work. When you
do this, carry your photocopy of your passport with you.
7) Do not leave cash, cameras or other valuable items unattended
while traveling or while at the project site, unless it is
clear that the place is secure.
8) In the daytime, walk in groups of at least
two. Please don’t go off alone anywhere, even to wander off to “see
something”, “buy something” or “just
take a quick picture”. If the local pastor says that
two people together is not secure enough in a particular
community, or that you should be accompanied by a local person
when you walk to a particular place, please comply.
9) In general, do not walk around the communities after
dark (darkness tends to come earlier that in the US), unless
the local staff specifies it is okay under certain conditions.
10) Travel with two complete copies of your passport. Keep
one copy separate from the original (like your suitcase),
and give the other copy to the team leader.
11) Carry a list of medical conditions/allergies/medications
with you.
12) Never leave your luggage unattended in any airport,
even for a brief moment.
13) Please tell your team leader, or other person, if you
are experiencing any problems or concerns.
Updated Feb. 2005
