World Humanitarian Day: What’s in the bag?

To mark World Humanitarian Day, we asked World Food Programme (WFP) staff to take a break from duty and reveal what they keep in their bags. Learn more about the everyday essentials carried by our colleagues.

Czarina Macalos Kunso

Monitoring Assistant, Cotabato sub-office, Philippines

I purchased this backpack at a discounted price a month ago. I was longing to have a new one, but buying this item is not on a mother’s priority list. When I knew that it was on 60 percent sale I was thrilled.

The bag’s laptop compartment really secures the unit. I also keep my ID cards, advantage cards for groceries and my wallet in there.

I always carry my UV-protection as well as pens and a notebook so that I can easily jot down points when I’m in a meeting. Face masks and hand sanitizer are parts of the daily basic essentials now. We need to protect ourselves and our families.

Celestino Cardoso

Senior Programme Assistant, Sao Tomé

As the Senior Programme Assistant in Sao Tomé and Principe, I spend most of my time in the field to monitor, evaluate and report on WFP’s activities. Priorities in the country office change quickly and therefore, every morning before leaving my place, I put in my bag all I need to ensure WFP staff can accomplish our work with the communities in a timely and efficient way.

I never forget to bring with me my WFP gilet which I received during my first day here more than 12 years ago. In my work, it’s crucial to be able to collect data and discuss with our partners key goals and aspects of our interventions. That’s why I always bring with me my WFP diary, a notebook and some key documents I use during my discussions in the field.

For missions in the most remote districts of the country, I ensure to bring with me my laptop, my internet router and a portable charger in case my team in the office needs to contact me for urgent matters.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I always make sure to have in my bag a face mask and a bottle of gel, along with the emergency kit, for me and my staff. Finally, after being forced seven years ago to spend fourteen hours in the field after a car breakdown, I never forget to bring with me my toothbrush and — of course — my headphones, because Sao Tomé’s nature with a bit of traditional music from my country is simply stunning!

Fatimatou Nkouo

Programme Associate, Far North region, Cameroon

My bag is always a reflection of my day. My laptop, notebook and phone are essential for collecting field information. The Far North region of Cameroon is a very hot and humid area; temperatures are sometimes as high as 41 degrees centigrade so a bottle of water, sunglasses and sunscreen are necessary as well as my trusted mosquito repellent. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, a face mask and hand sanitizer are my protective shield, not only for myself, but also for any other person I might meet, including the people we serve.

Minta Koné

Field Monitor, Man sub-office, Cote d’Ivoire

I am a field monitor in the sub-office of Man in western Côte d’Ivoire. My job is to monitor and evaluate our repatriation and school feeding activities in the area. I am always on the move and therefore have to be well equipped. In my bag, I always have my work equipment (computer, charger, phone, tablet, battery — and also my registers and notes), a small first-aid kit (this is essential because we work in remote rural areas), a hygiene kit (personal hygiene but also products to ensure the cleanliness of the place where I spend the night), my own food essentials (some tea and chips), and finally, spare clothes (monitoring agricultural activities, I visit fields, shallows, fish ponds and school canteens in the sun, so I have to change my clothes daily). And I always have something to pray.

Gyamila Abdul-Wahabi

Programme Policy Officer, Tamale sub-office, Ghana

My laptop is my whole life. It carries everything — records of all activities, programmes, events and so on since 2006 when I joined WFP to date — and allows me to check emails and stay connected. Spectacles are my second pair of eyes. My notepad contains daily to-do lists, notes from meetings, field observations and discussions, as well as follow-up actions. It also serves as a calendar for events, activities and reminders and so on.

I carry two mobile phones: one official phone and a personal one for staying in touch 24/7 with partners, clients, family and friends. A phone charger and a power bank are essential for when the power runs out and I have no access to electricity mains. I also carry a pencil case with pens, pencils, an eraser, pencil sharpener, highlighter and correction fluid, as well as my keys, medication, lip balm and hand cream.

In this pandemic I always wear one face mask and keep a spare in my bag just in case I need to use it, and carry hand sanitizer to use especially where there is no water and soap to wash hands. I also carry a thermometer for checking temperature when I’m in the field, and hand gloves in case I need them.

Sidratul Muntaha Chowdhury (Pew)

Programme Assistant, Bangladesh

Every working day I am in the field to ensure effective and efficient delivery of programme activities. In my backpack I keep my laptop with charger, so I can send and receive emails, as well as write reports. I always have a pen-drive so that I can transfer data if necessary. Pens, pencils and diaries are useful to take notes or write down information. I always take a radio for communication, because sometimes network connection in camp areas is poor. I carry with me a copy of the WFP code of conduct to remind us all about how to behave with everyone. Other essentials include an extra mask and hand sanitizer, an extra sanitary pad, an umbrella, a water bottle, a coffee pot, hair clips, my purse and business cards.

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