Evacuation Management and

Health Needs
 Evacuation
Evacuation is a risk management strategy that may
be used to reduce loss of life or lessen the effects of
an emergency on a community, prior to the onset
of, or during, an emergency.
It involves the movement of people threatened by a
hazard to a safer location and, typically, their
eventual safe and timely return.
Evacuation to be as effective as possible, it must be
appropriately planned and implemented.
 Type of Evacuation based on
hazard
Total evacuation
An evacuation when, due to the nature of the
hazard, everyone in the affected communities is
encouraged or directed to evacuate.

Partial evacuation
An evacuation of only some of the affected
communities. For example, only residents living in
low lying areas of a community directly impacted by
flood waters will need to evacuate.
 Type of Evacuation based on
hazard (2)
Phased evacuation

Phased evacuation is a strategy used in either total

or partial evacuation when, due to the slow onset
of a hazard or to avoid congestion on roads,
affected communities are encouraged or directed to
evacuate at different times.
Type of Evacuation based on
impact
 Types of Evacuation
Pre Impact Organized Evacuation
• Organized, pre-impact evacuation is commonly
carried out on a massive scale in some countries
in response to warnings of tropical storms or
volcanic eruption

• Various forms of evacuation may be organized as

a precautionary measure in response to an
impending threat like typhoon and slow onset
floods
Post Impact Spontaneous Evacuation
• Post-impact spontaneous evacuation occurs in
response to the loss of shelter or essential services in
the affected area
• In tropical storms and flooding, there is a tendency to
move to the periphery of an affected area, especially
where some existing services remain, or to higher
ground or raised roads
• In many emergencies, affected people will move
quickly to stay with friends and relatives, in preference
to staying in public facilities (public buildings, schools,
stadiums, military camps, tents, etc.)
• Earthquake etc
 Evacuation Strategies
COMPULSORY OR DIRECTED EVACUATION
An evacuation in circumstances where a relevant
government agency has exercised a legislated
power that requires people to evacuate.

RECOMMENDED EVACUATION
An evacuation where an evacuation warning has
been issued but people have the option to remain.
 Evacuation Strategies (2)
SELF-EVACUATION
This is the self-initiated movement of people including
individuals, families and other groups to safer places
prior to, or in the absence of, official warnings to
evacuate.
Some people may choose to leave early, even in the
absence of a hazard, but merely on, for example, a
forecast of high bushfire danger or a flood watch.
Self-evacuees manage their own withdrawal, including
transportation arrangements. Most states and territories
encourage people to evacuate early if they intend to
evacuate.
 Remaining
• Do everyone evacuate?
• Plan evacuation those did not evacuate after
issuing direction
• Keep this factor in your plan too
 Stages of Evacuation
• Decision to evacuate
• Warning
• Withdrawal
• Shelter
• Return
 Plan evacuation
• Responsibilities
• Resources
• Agencies involved
• Shelter
 Pre-evacuation Stage
• Pre-evacuation planning is also an important part
of the community disaster risk management plan
• This helps a greater number of people to escape
and at a faster rate, it lessens the panic and
confusion typically associated with evacuations
• It allows for a quicker return to normalcy once an
emergency is dealt with
• Community health worker has to organize an
Evacuation Committee among community
members
 Task of Evacuation Committee
Pre-evacuation:
• Prepare evacuation plan including warning
system
• Training and education of community
members
• Identify and prepare logistical needs for
evacuation
• Networking, coordination and resource
generation for the purpose of evacuation
Pre-evacuation planning practices
• Establish early warning system
• Identify shortest and safest route
• Identify and prepare alternative routes
• Identify pick up points or assembly points for
people
• Place "road signs" along evacuation routes
• Give special consideration for personal
situations which may affect an individual's
ability to evacuate
During evacuation
• Give order to move
• Manage logistical needs for the evacuation
• Ensure orderly evacuation
• Identify a safe place for evacuation
• Act as marshals/guides during evacuation
• Search and rescue
In Evacuation Center - shelter
• Coordinate with health, food, sanitation,
security, information committee
• Manage relief operations while in evacuation
center
• Networking, public information, advocacy,
resource generation
• Prepare master list of evacuees and check at
each pick-up point if the group is complete
• Prepare evacuation schedules and groupings
in case transportation will be used
• Set provisions and plan evacuation of animals
and other properties of evacuees
• Identify and prepare requirements during
evacuation (transport, gasoline, emergency
kit, road signs, communication systems, etc.)
 Questions

• Types and various stages involved in

evacuation before or during disasters and
emergencies

• Understand the health needs that may arise

as a result of evacuation