preparing to go

YOUR NEW MISSION LOCATION

ecome an expert on where you"re going. In preparation for your assignment get as much information as possible about your new mission, its geography, climate, local conditions, and culture. You will also want to find out specific information about the security situation there. Travel guides and books, local guidebooks and government publications can provide helpful information about general conditions in the region you will be travelling to as well as the surrounding regions. However, these guides may also be out-of-date if the region has been in a state of civil disorder for any length of time and should be checked against current on-the-ground information. If possible, try to get in touch with someone who is currently at the duty station or mission. If that"s not possible, then talk to people who have worked there at some point. Recent experiences will be more useful to you. The more information you can gather, the better equipped you will be to deal with the environment you will be entering.

Of course, if you are going to pack the proper clothing and gear, it is important to understand climate, rainfall, and general weather conditions of the mission. This can be accomplished by contacting the current UN mission in the area, consulting newspapers" international weather pages or using the internet to obtain the right climate information.

Every mission has its unique challenges. Certainly if you will be travelling to an area in conflict or where there are distressed circumstances, it is even more important for you to take the initiative in finding out as much as you can before you leave. This might include recent news reports and/or UN bulletins regarding the area. Such information could be the deciding factor in your safety and security as well as that of your family if they will be travelling with you. It can also make the difference in how well you are able to perform in the field.

As soon as possible, once the decision to go has been made, get a map of the area you will be working in and post it in your house. This will help you, your family, and friends visiting, become familiar with the new work site. It also helps all of you to begin the psychological process of adjusting to the idea of your impending move.

Look up the mission or duty station on the main UN website. For Peacekeeping Missons, start with the UN home page, click on Peace and Security then Peacekeeping (see “Internet Links”) for information about mission mandate, local conditions, climate, culture, economy and financial and social systems. The website can also be useful in helping you understand what to expect in terms of housing, shopping and entertainment. This should be your first source of reference material.