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    Desert Hike Media Agreement


    Please note that you must fill out a general Media Request Form in addition to this form if you would like to join us on a desert aid hike.

    Ajo Samaritans

    General Overview:
    The Ajo Samaritans are community-based and consensus-based. Our mission is to
    prevent suffering and death in the desert.
    Part of our work involves desert aid—hiking food and water into active migrant
    corridors. As a reporter, you will be riding and hiking along with us to one of our water
    drop locations in Southern Arizona, to understand our process and see our work
    firsthand.
    Participating in one of our water drops requires a relative level of physical health
    and the ability to hike through rugged terrain in heat that can exceed 115 degrees.
    Many of our drops require several miles of hiking, in addition to time spent
    attending to the drop site, cleaning, placing water, etc. Please speak up if you are
    feeling hot, dizzy, disoriented, unable to keep up, etc. Do not feel you need to ignore
    discomfort—most water drops have a medical professional on the team.

    Interacting With Our Team:
    At least one member of the water drop team will be available to be quoted, referenced, and
    photographed. You must obtain consent from each person on the water drop to
    quote/photograph them. Not every member of the team will necessarily want to be
    referenced by the media.

    Interacting With Outside Actors:
    ● In the event that we encounter or are approached by migrants, you as a reporter will be
    asked to stand back and make space. One member of our team will stay with you while
    the rest of the team evaluates the needs of the person in distress. Our primary concern
    is being able to provide humanitarian assistance, and we do not want to create undue
    stress on people seeking care or help. You may not photograph the person(s) in
    question and are not to document the encounter in any way that could jeopardize the
    individuals . We do not facilitate interviews or interactions between you as a journalist
    and people in distress.

    ● In the event that we encounter human remains, the facilitator will create an opportunity
    for contemplation and reflection. First we recognize the humanity of the person who
    died here. Media accompaniment is invited to participate in this. Our volunteers may
    take photographs for law enforcement recovery purposes. However, we do not permit
    photography of human remains by media.
    ● If we are approached by Border Patrol or any other government agent, we will identify
    ourselves as humanitarian aid volunteers traveling with a journalist. Interactions
    between ourselves, yourself, and government agents can be documented and
    referenced as you see fit.


    What to Bring/Wear
    *Your ID
    *Any permits required to enter restricted public lands
    * At least two liters of water for personal use
    * Long, lightweight pants
    * Lightweight long-sleeved shirt
    *Thick socks
    * Sturdy hiking boots
    * Sunscreen
    * Sturdy backpack for personal effects (if actively carrying water for the purposes of aid, will
    need space for 2-3 gallon jugs)
    * Hat that shades the face fully
    * Snacks, packed lunch
    *Bug spray (in the summer, the desert is buzzing with wasps)
    * Emergency medication (Advil, EpiPen, etc.)
    I have read and agree to comply with the above practices.

Ajo Samaritans
PO Box 793
Ajo, AZ 85321

The Ajo Humanitarian Aid Office is open Fridays and Saturdays 9am to 12 noon