We had an absolutely fantastic time. The countryside in Bhutan is so pristine and we really enjoyed the remoteness. It certainly was physically challenging and it was a credit to the two leaders that all 10 clients completed it safely.
Porter Protection
The International Porter Protection Group (IPPG)
The International Porter Protect Group’s (IPPG) aim is to improve health and safety for the trekking porter at work in the mountains and reduce the incidence of avoidable illness, injury and death. This is achieved by raising awareness of the issues among the trekking community and travel companies, leaders and sirdars. The higher and the more remote your trek, the better equipment and shelter you will have to provide.
IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) recommends the following guidelines that:
- Adequate clothing is made available for protection in bad weather and at altitude. This should include adequate footwear, hat, gloves, windproof jacket and trousers, sunglasses, and access to a blanket and pad above the snowline.
- Leaders and trekkers provide the same standard of medical care for porters they would expect themselves.
- Porters not be paid off because of illness without the leader or trekkers being informed.
- Sick porters are never sent down alone, but rather with someone who speaks their language.
- Sufficient funds are provided to sick porters to cover the cost of their land rescue and treatment. Also, we select strong and experienced porters!
- All trekking porters should have provision for security, personal protective equipment including shoes and clothes, depending on the weather.
International Porter Protection Group (IPPG)
On October 24, 1997, a 24 year old Nepalese mountain porter, Shyam Bahdur Nepali, fell ill while carrying another trekking company's equipment over the 5000m Thorong La, on the Annapurna Circuit. Unable to carry his load, he was paid off, dismissed from the expedition and sent back alone without adequate clothing for the cold conditions. Within 24 hours he was dead, just one hour away from the Himalayan Rescue Post in Menang. His body lay on the trail for three days. In response to this atrocious incident Dr Jim Duff established the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG). World Expeditions had no hesitation in becoming a founding supporter of the group and assisting Jim's efforts.
How can you help?
You may like to make a donation to IPPG to help with creating awareness of the issue or donate some outdoor/trekking gear in reasonable condition to the IPPG clothes bank. Email a message to Dr Jim Duff, national representative and International co-ordinator at info@ippg.net or download our ‘Porter for a Porter’ project details, and learn how you can directly help the porters from our website www.worldexpeditions.com
International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC)
The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) is a US based not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to promote responsible and sustainable connections between travellers and the people of developing mountain regions of the world.
Through IMEC’s local projects in Moshi, Tanzania and Kathmandu, travellers gain a greater understanding of labor issues surrounding the tourism industry. In order to feed themselves and their families, porters take on the job of carrying heavy loads to high elevations on Kilimanjaro and in the Himalayas. Some of the problems porters face are:
- Underpayment by companies
- Not receiving the full amount of tip intended for them
- Inadequate clothing and gear
- Being forced to carry excess weight
- Insufficient food provision
- Poor sleeping facilities
Sometimes these issues leave porters open to illness and neglect on the mountain. As porters have no job security, they have little room for complaint. IMEC’s Porter Assistance Project seeks to improve the working conditions of trekking porters by:
- Providing individual porters and climbing companies with warm, high quality clothing free of charge
- Offering English language, First Aid, HIV/AIDS Awareness, and Money Management classes in order to motivate and empower porters
- Educating travellers regarding acceptable standards of porter treatment World Expeditions is a member of IMEC’s Partnership for Responsible Travel Program which recognises those tour operators committed to promoting proper porter treatment and cultural and environmental sensitivity among their clients.
World Expeditions is a member of IMEC’s Partnership for Responsible Travel Program which recognises those tour operators committed to promoting proper porter treatment and cultural and environmental sensitivity among their clients.
