So you’re ready to volunteer in Ukraine. You’ve got your flights booked, accommodations reserved, your visa and travel insurance sorted, but there’s one more challenge. What on earth would you pack when volunteering in Ukraine? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Based on our experience, we’ve created the ultimate packing list for your upcoming volunteer adventure in Ukraine!

The magic question you need to always ask yourself while packing is: “Will I be using this twice a week?” If the answer is no, leave it out. You always have the chance to buy things if you need them later.

If this is your first time going to Ukraine, it’s tricky to know exactly what you’ll need to pack. Ukraine has four seasons, so the packing list is highly impacted by your arrival’s month of the year. Your destination will also have some impact on the packing list, Ukraine is quite a big country you know.

Which essential documents to bring?

This is the most important part of your packing, so you really need to pay attention here. Although it would be unpleasant if you forget your toothbrush or shampoo, you won’t even make it to your volunteer project without these documents.

Highly important:

• Passport (and visa)
• Boarding pass, bus tickets, etc.
• International insurance card
• Photocopies of your passport, visa and tickets (dispersed in your luggage), also take a
• Contact addresses of your travel program
• List of emergency contacts and addresses (like the embassy)
• Cash
• Credit card

Important:

• (International) drivers license (if available)
• List of numbers to block your credit cards
• Tourist guide and language guide

Which first-aid essentials to pack for volunteering?

Fingers crossed your volunteer experience will be a healthy one without any medical emergency. Just in case this isn’t the case, it is good to pack a basic first aid kit for your stay in Ukraine.

A basic first aid kit may contain:

• plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
• small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
• at least 2 sterile eye dressings
• triangular bandages
• crêpe rolled bandages
• safety pins
• disposable sterile gloves
• tweezers
• scissors
• alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• sticky tape
• thermometer (preferably digital)
• skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
• cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
• antiseptic cream
• painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen’
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• antihistamine cream or tablets
• distilled water for cleaning wounds
• eye wash and eye bath

Which hygiene essentials to pack?

Next to the essential clothing, there are, of course, the hygiene essentials:

• Toothpaste, toothbrush and floss
• Soap/shampoo
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush
• Face and body cream
• Nail scissors and file
• Gender specific:

• Female hygiene products
• Male shaving equipment; please note Ukraine operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz, if your equipment has lower voltage it most likely burns.

• Hairslides and hair ties (optional)

What to wear while volunteering?

When it comes to clothing, bring comfortable casual clothes you can layer. Amount of clothing depends on the availability of laundry facilities, make sure to check with your hostel/hotel on laundry options they have. Remember what to wear while volunteering depends on the volunteer project. Here are our clothing essentials:

1. Five shirts
2. Two Jumpers
3. Two Pairs of trousers or jeans or shorts as summer is very close
4. Two Pairs of comfortable and sturdy shoes (the weather in Lviv can be unpredictable, it might be good to have one pair of water-proof shoes).  
5. One pair of sandals
6. Seven pairs of underwear
7. One jacket that protects you from wind and rain
8. One light fleece jacket
9. One or two pajama / leisure suit

These items are optional:

1. One pair of trainers
2. One pair of trekking shoes
3. One hat (for rain or intensive sunshine)
4. One scarf
5. Sunglasses

Also, it’s a great idea to check with your host organization beforehand on what you might need.

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What should be in your ‘tech’ bag?

Some would say that tech gadgets should be somewhere next to passport & visa when traveling. Many don’t see their lives anymore without their phones, tablets or laptops. Here is the list of gadgets and accessories to bring with you.

1. Smartphone
2. Smartphone cable & accessories
3. Portable Power Banks (Russia is still there, and maybe targeting Ukrainian energetic system)
4. Adapters - in Ukraine there are two associated plug types, types C and F.

Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins  

Plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Ukraine operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

5. Portable Bluetooth Speaker (optional)
6. Tablet & Accessories (optional)
7. External Portable Hard Drive (optional)
8. Wireless Headphones & Earphones (optional)
9. Laptop & Accessories (optional)

Fill in the Gaps

If you’ve packed everything and feel you’re well-prepared, you can fill the remaining space in your backpack or suitcase with things that could make your volunteer experience more pleasant. Depending on your project location, you might have limited internet or electricity so it’s definitely worth considering a few “offline-things” as well. This could be:

• Snacks: You might come to a point where you crave for some comfy home food
• Headphones: Whether you are awake late at night (other volunteers will be thankful) or just need some personal time
• Donations or Gifts for the volunteer project, people you learn to love throughout your stay and to share some of your culture with locals as well

A great tip is to leave some of your things behind while traveling. If you brought books with you, for example, you can leave them behind so others can read them too during their stay.

Clothes you don’t need anymore can be given away. This will create space in your luggage for souvenirs you want to take back with you.

We have also prepared for you free packing checklist to get ready for your volunteer trip to Ukraine. Click the link below to access your comprehensive checklist and ensure you have everything you need for a successful trip: Download Ultimate Packing Checklist.