Natural Disaster's

Will You Cope When Disaster Strikes?

Surviving an Emergency.

Be prepared

Disasters can strike at any time and often without a warning. Know what to do before you have to do it.

At Home or a Village

Developed a household emergency plan, which include:

• Where to shelter in an earthquake, flood or cyclone.
• Who is responsible for checking essential items in your emergency survival kit?
• How to turn off gas, water and electricity.
• How to maintain contact with each other during an emergency.

Know the local community warning system. If possible, know the location of your nearest Community Emergency Centre. It is also useful to learn First Aid and how to control small fires, and escape from fire.

In Your Street or Village

Join or form a village support group. You and your neighbors will have skills and resources that can be vital in an emergency. Start discussing today what you can do to assist each other. Contact the police for advice.

You’re Getaway Kit

Every one should have a small bag for getaway kit, ready for evacuation Most of the items are part of your emergency survival kit. Other items include:

Family Documents

• Birth/Marriage Certificates
• Drivers license/passport
• Family photos

Personal Hygiene Items

• Towels/soap & toothbrush
• A change of clothes

Emergency Survival Kit

If you prefer to keep your Emergency survival kit items in the house for everyday use, make sure you know where to find them when an emergency occurs.

Emergency Food and Water

• Canned or dried food
• A can opener
• Dried matches
• Clean water ( 3 liters per person per day)
• Check and renew the water every 12 months.

Emergency Items

• First Aid Kit and essential medicines
• Waterproof torches and spare batteries
• Radio and spare batteries (Check the batteries every three months)

Special Supplies for Those with Disabilities

• Hearing aids
• Mobility aids
• Glasses
• Medicines

Supplies for Small Children and Babies

• Food and drinks
• Change of clothing

Emergency Shelter & Protection

• Tents and Tarpaulin’s
• Face masks in volcanic areas

People with Disabilities

If you have disability, make arrangements with a family member, friend, or neighbor to help you in an emergency. People with hearing impairment may not be well served by the radio. Make `arrangements to be sure you are informed by somebody.

People with sight impairment may have difficulties if their home is disrupted – perhaps in an earthquake – and may have extra difficulties; you should arrange some family support for these people. People with asthma and other respiratory disorders may be especially affected by stress, dust or volcanic ashes. Have appropriate medicines and face mask in your emergency survival kit. If you have special food needs, be sure to include as much as you can in your emergency survival kit.

NATIONAL DISASTER EMERGENCY MANGEMENT FACTS

When a Natural Disaster Emergency Occurs

Should an emergency occur, the minister may declare a national disaster emergency? Once on declaration has been made, the national disaster management office and the police have the legal authority to:

• Evacuate buildings and places
• Restrict entry into building, including private homes
• Closed roads and public places
• Remove vehicles that impede emergency services and civil defense work.
• Requisition items that are needed to save lives.

Emergency Management Is Everyone’s Business

Many popular travelling destinations are constantly exposed to the risk of natural disaster's. It is important that we understand this risk and what they can do to us. However, there are measures we can all take reduce the impact of disaster and be better prepared to recover quickly.

These measures include:

• Securing heavy objects to prevent damage during an earthquake.
• Keeping drains and water ways clear to reduce floorings.
• Being careful with how we use our land.