1. Never use your business card as a luggage tag. Instead, use just a generic piece of paper with your name, personal email address and phone number. If you are a Doctor/Professor etc., don’t make yourself a target - avoid using your title on your luggage tag.
    
2. Never book accommodation above the fifth floor. In most countries the ladders on a fire truck cannot reach high enough to rescue you above the fourth or fifth floors.
    
3. On checking-in to your hotel, find the ‘Fire Evacuation’ procedures/map and walk the route. Ensure you know how to escape from the building, at night, with no electricity, and potentially through corridors and stairwells full of smoke/dust. Especially important is checking the fire door on to the street to confirm it opens, is not blocked, and that you can escape far enough away from the building.
    
4. Don’t bring any unnecessary attention to yourself. This can include the clothes or jewellery you wear, the bags you carry, the loudness of your voice and even your walk. Make a conscious effort each day to blend in.
    
5. Always arrange an Emergency Rendezvous (ERV) with your team in case something goes wrong or in case you simply get lost. You can’t always rely on your phone. Electricity and internet services are often disrupted across Ukraine.
    
6. Vary your routine and routes to/from your accommodation/office each day. Don’t let complacency set in.
    
7. Beware of 'Honey Traps' that are an all-too-common ploy for parting you from your cash, documents and corporate information. Hotels, restaurants and bars frequented by business travellers are especially vulnerable.
    
8. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of injury and death in Ukraine. Always travel with a licensed taxi company, always wear your seatbelt, always sit in the back, and NEVER let your taxi driver pick up additional passengers.
    
9. Avoid large crowds that might form after an incident, and avoid demonstrations. If you are caught in a crowd, walk sideways (like a crab) until you are able to escape the crowd. Then, if possible, leave the area immediately or travel in the opposite direction to the crowd.
    
10. Carry a non-military looking day pack with you. Ensure you have an adequate medical first aid kit*, battery pack and associated charging cables, flashlight, satellite phone (optional), jacket and hat, travel umbrella (avoid brands), spare water, camping style food that can be eaten hot or cold (enough for 24-hours), hand sanitiser, colour photocopies of passport, drivers licence and travel insurance (kept in a waterproof pouch), spare reading glasses (if required), sunglasses and suncream.
    
    * Pack the first aid kit at the top of the bag

If you require Emergency Medical and/or Security Assistance, call or email the Emergency Assistance contact details on your Insurance or Response Membership policy. 

In the event of an emergency, you are also advised to contact your country’s consular services, although their response in Ukraine is likely to be extremely limited. 

To contact local emergency services, call: 

FIRE
Call 101

AMBULANCE
Call 103

POLICE 
Call 102

Always obtain a police report when reporting a crime.


 

If you decide to travel to Ukraine consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Book an appointment with your Medical Doctor or Travel Clinic prior to travel to request a basic health assessment and to plan any vaccinations you may need. Where possible, it is advised you do this at least eight-weeks before you depart. It’s important for you to know the following health concerns in Ukraine: 
 

• COVID-19 remains a high-risk. 
• HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus. 
• Infectious diseases include: Polio, Tuberculosis, Measles, Diphtheria and Hepatitis. 
• Rabies is a risk. If an animal bites or scratches you, get immediate medical help. 
• Drink only boiled or bottled water. 
• Avoid raw or undercooked food. 
• Chernobyl remains Radioactive. 

Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by: 
 

• Washing your hands often. 
• Avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces and crowded places. 
• Avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness. 
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. 

Outside major cities, the standard of state medical facilities is low. Medical staff outside of major centres often do not speak English, except in private clinics. Reports, prescriptions and other documents won’t be in English. There are frequent shortages of medical supplies. Russian military action could disrupt access to essential services, including healthcare. 

If you become ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated. Affordable Emergency Medical Insurance and Response Membership options are available.


 

Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their health professional at least four to six weeks before travel. However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities. 

For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended. 

All travellers should ensure they have adequate medical/travel insurance that includes War & Terrorism cover.


 

Many international travelers carry medicines with them to treat acute or chronic health problems. However, each country has its own laws related to medicines. Medicines that are commonly prescribed or available over the counter in the United States or Europe might be unlicensed or considered controlled substances in other countries. While rules vary by country, there can be serious consequences if you violate the laws at your destination. 

The consequences may include:
 

• Confiscation and destruction of medicines
• Deportation and an future entrance ban
• Penalties, including jail time

Check with your destination’s embassy and the embassies of countries that you have layovers in to make sure your medicines are permitted.
 

• Many countries allow a 30-day supply of certain medicines, but also require the traveler to carry a prescription or a medical certificate from their health care provider.
• If your medicine is not allowed at your destination, talk with your healthcare provider about alternatives and have them write a letter describing your condition and the treatment plan.
• You may also want to check the International Narcotics Control BoardExternal Link website that provides general information about narcotics and controlled substances, for countries that have information available.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist that takes place at least four weeks before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Prepare a travel health kit with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include your prescription and over-the-counter medicines in your travel health kit and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. 

Pack medications in a carry on in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

• Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Ensure that they are clearly labeled with your full name, health care provider’s name, generic and brand name, and exact dosage.
• Bring copies of all written prescriptions, including the generic names for medicines. Leave a copy of your prescriptions at home with a friend or relative in case you lose your copy or need an emergency refill.
• Ask your prescribing healthcare provider for a note if you use controlled substances, or injectable medicines, such as EpiPens and insulin.
   

WARNING: Counterfeit drugs are common in Ukraine so only use medicine you bring from home.



 

Ukraine is a Country at War, and as such, travel within Ukraine can be stressful. From what can be a frustrating process to cross the border and long travel distances by road and rail, to unpredictable and sustained air raid sirens and military check points.

Travel-related stress can spark mood changes, depression, and anxiety, and travel can worsen symptoms in people with existing mental illnesses, so effective preparation is key.

Mental health conditions incorporate a broad range of illness with different symptoms. However, they are generally characterised by a combination of abnormal thoughts, behaviours, emotions and relationship difficulties. They include addictions such as alcohol or drug misuse, anxiety, bipolar conditions, depression, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorders, paranoia, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia.

Most mental health conditions can be successfully managed and treated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that mental health issues are one of the leading causes of ill health among travellers, with psychiatric emergency being one of the most common reasons for medical air evacuation. Various factors, including traveller isolation caused by geographical distance from family, friends and familiar social support systems, freedom from behavioural norms and the impact of different cultures can contribute to this.

Before you travel we advise that you book an appointment with your healthcare provider at least four weeks before you travel.

When you talk with your healthcare provider, discuss your mental health history and concerns. Mention any treatments for substance abuse, depression, or other mental health problems, and any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or supplements you routinely take.

If you will be traveling for a long time or moving abroad, you may want to get a referral for a mental health professional at your destination, especially if you are seeing one at home.

All travellers with underlying health issues should carry a letter from their doctor providing clinical details of their condition, treatment and certifying the need for drugs and/or other medical items. Ideally, this should be documented in a language understood at the countries you will travel through, as well as in Ukraine.

Get travel insurance and declare all pre-existing health conditions. Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buying additional insurance that covers healthcare and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.