“My Quest was a very safe program. The coordinators really are there for you at all times. If you reach out to them, they will be there.” – Amy Cunningham, Peru Global Healthcare Volunteer
United Planet takes great care to ensure the health and safety of our international volunteers. Volunteer health and safety is a key priority for us and we take pride in holding the highest standards. Please see some more detailed information below.
At United Planet, we strive to ensure that each and every one of our volunteers has a safe and successful volunteer Quest abroad. In order to maintain safety and success for each volunteer, it is critical that potential volunteers, parents, and healthcare providers understand what is expected of a United Planet volunteer.
Self-selection is an important part of this process and we ask all participants, before choosing to enroll in our programs, to think critically about the following criteria as some chronic illnesses, acute psychiatric conditions, and forms of physical disability may hinder a participant’s safety and ability to effectively participate in the Quest program.
Each United Planet Volunteer must:
For further details on the health requirements of each volunteers, please read more here.
Please note that United Planet reserves the right to decline applicants whom we believe are not a good fit for the program experience. We are happy to speak with any potential volunteer in more detail to determine if a United Planet Volunteer Quest will be a great fit for you. Please contact us at quest@unitedplanet.org or 617-874-8041, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm EST.
It is important that volunteers are physically and mentally healthy if choosing to participate on a volunteer Quest with United Planet. In order to determine the health of our volunteers, it is required that each volunteers adhere to our Health Screening Policy.
It is required that all United Planet volunteers complete a Health Information Form and Release in its entirety. Upon review of this form by a Quest Program Coordinator and/or the International Programs Manager, United Planet may request a Health Clearance Form to be signed by the appropriate medical professional. Reasons for requiring a Health Clearance Form include, but are not limited to:
It is required that volunteers return their signed Health Clearance Form to their Program Coordinator at least four weeks prior to the start of their United Planet Quest abroad.
Here at United Planet, we do all we can to ensure that our volunteers have safe and successful Quests abroad. This includes having the follow elements in place for each United Planet volunteer:
It is United Planet’s policy that every individual program element has been selected and vetted for both safety and sustainability. These program elements include:
For more details about the responsibilities of United Planet and the selection and vetting process for each of these program elements, please read more here.
United Planet acts in accordance with the CDC and State Department Travel Advisories. We have been working closely with our country coordinators to ensure the safety of all volunteers before, during, and after your program. All of our volunteer countries are currently open for entry, but some do have local guidelines. Please check your destination’s COVID-19 guidelines before your departure.
All volunteers who have enrolled in a Quest program are provided with an emergency medical insurance policy. This emergency medical insurance covers COVID-19 treatment in-country, treating it just as any other disease that can be contracted while abroad.
The Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance* add-on only covers if someone contracts the virus before travel and is deemed by a doctor unable to travel, or if a person contracts the virus abroad and a doctor certifies it is best for them to travel home and end their trip.
*It is required for all volunteers to purchase Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance to supplement the emergency medical insurance policy while on a United Planet Quest.
For more information, you can email quest@unitedplanet.org
Vaccinations are an important way to stay safe when immersing yourself in a new environment. Volunteers are required to speak with a physician or travel clinic before traveling in addition to consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to determine appropriate vaccinations. Additionally, Vaccination Information Documents are available to all volunteers once they officially enroll for a United Planet Quest. Should you have any questions, we are happy to answer them!
United Planet is highly recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for all travelers. Volunteers are requested to provide a copy of their vaccination card before departure. Alternative receipts or documentation of COVID-19 vaccination can be accepted. For those who are traveling to the United States, arrangements may be made to receive vaccination prior to engaging in voluntary service. If a volunteer is not vaccinated, a program’s internal team has the right to refuse to accept them as a volunteer. Placements will be limited for unvaccinated travelers to reduce the risk of contagion, especially in vulnerable communities.
Please consult the following resources for additional health and safety information.
Yes, volunteers are allowed to postpone travel dates if you are unable to travel as planned or if you prefer to wait until a later time. Your Program Coordinator will work with you to postpone your program or make any necessary changes.
United Planet’s travel medical insurance covers: medical expenses while abroad (includes illness, accident, injury, emergency expenses), medical evacuation, emergency reunion, dental emergency, accidental death and dismemberment, repatriation of remains, trip delay, trip delay due to quarantine, loss of baggage, and baggage delay. Volunteers are provided detailed coverage information once enrolled in the program. Volunteers are required to add Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance to the standard travel medical insurance while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to United Planet’s status as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, all deposits and payments made to United Planet are considered donations and are therefore non-refundable. Any fees paid to us for your program (less any expenses already incurred) will be held in your program account for 1 year from your original departure date. You may apply these funds to any of our programs, as long as you depart for your Quest within one year of your original start date. More information can be found on our Terms & Conditions page.
United Planet is specifically reopening programs in destinations where lockdown and travel restrictions have been lifted. You will be briefed on any travel limitations or curfews in your destination country during your pre-departure training. Volunteers will be provided support in-country should they choose or need to return home early from their program.
If a volunteer contracts COVID while volunteering, they will be provided support to be brought to a location to self-quarantine. Volunteers are able to get tested locally, and will be assisted with receiving medical attention if needed. Volunteers will be able to return to their project site after recovering from COVID-19 and will be brought back to the appropriate accommodations (if you are unable to return to your original accommodations).