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Disaster Management

BEFORE A DISASTER

  • Be familiar with contact information for the NEMA office as well as for your District Management Team
  • Prepare an emergency supplies kit with important documents (IDs, passports, insurance papers, list of medications, allergies, special equipment, blood type and important contacts – Contacts should include names and numbers of doctors, pharmacists, family members, caretakers) Lists should be stored in a waterproof container and kept with you at all times
  • First Aid Kit with gauze, Dettol, etc
  • Batteries for radio, flashlight and other assistance such as hearing aids etc.
  • Flashlights
  • Portable Radio
  • Extra supply of current medications (check expiry dates)
  • Sheets and extra clothing
  • Sanitary items
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Water for at least two days
  • Non-perishable food and a manual can opener

PUBLIC SHELTERING

  • A shelter is just a place to stay until the storm passes:
  • Make “the buddy system” your first priority by securing shelter with friends or family
  • Know the location of public shelters in your area
  • Go to a shelter before the storm strikes, if you are uncertain as to whether your residence can withstand the impact
  • Take a full change of clothes, medicines, flashlight with batteries, toiletries, wash rag with towel, blanket and a pillow and if possible, a cot
  • Have a supply of food and drinking water
  • Public feeding will only begin, if necessary, three days after the storm has passed

FIRE SAFETY

  • Create a family plan for escape and make sure every member of your family knows what to do and when
  • Try to be calm
  • Call 911 or someone for help
  • Never hide from a fire under a bed or in a closet
  • Get down on your hands and knees and crawl to the door
  • Never open a door if the knob feels warm, in stead crawl to a window and call for help
  • Do not open doors or windows from the direction in which the wind is blowing
  • Go to your family’s meeting place, according to your plan
  • Keep away from electrical wires, appliances, gas tanks and kerosene oil

DURING A DISASTER

These are the actions that are undertaken during a disaster situation in an attempt to save lives and reduce economic losses.

AFTER A DISASTER Rehabilitation: This includes the restoration of basic services like utilities and communications, and the beginning of the repairs of any damages caused by the disaster.

Reconstruction: This includes the medium to long-term repairs of damages caused by the disaster.