Greater danger does not imply helplessness. It tends to imply that a family possesses fewer buffers, either in the form of less money, fewer trusted contacts, specific health requirements, language barriers, or a background of not being recognized by official systems.
Families at risk during a disaster may include those that have:
- Children without caregivers (even on a temporary basis).
- Expectant individuals, elderly individuals, or relatives who have a disability or chronic disease.
- Individuals who depend on medications, medical devices, or frequent care.
- Migrant workers, individuals who are not settled in permanent housing, or individuals who do not have official documents.
- Victims of violence who require privacy and confidentiality.
- Homes where access to phones is hindered, literacy is low, or there is a lack of local support.
Planning is not aimed at solving such realities in a single day, but at minimizing the extent to which these realities can be exploited in a chaotic situation.
3-Step Emergency Relocation Plan: Decide, Move, Settle
A practical plan normally consists of three levels. Think of it as: Decide, Move, Settle.
1) Decision (Triggers and Destinations)
- Triggers: What will cause you to leave? Examples: an official evacuation order, floodwaters at the doorstep, forecasted specific wind speeds, persisting aftershocks, or a medical necessity.
- Two destinations (not one):
- Alternative A: The home of a trusted individual that is not in the immediate risk area.
- Alternative B: An approved shelter or community safe location.
2) Move (Routes, Transport, and Logistics)
- Routes: For each destination, have two routes (a primary route and a back-up route).
- Transport strategy: Who drives, what is your fuel level, or what public transport is available?
- Meeting point: A basic location where you can meet in case you lose each other (e.g., a certain shop, school gate, or community hall).
3) Settle (Services, Safety, and Communication)
- Communication plan: Who you will be texting/calling and what the message template will be.
- Service plan: Where you can get food, water, medicine, charging, sanitation, and child-friendly places.
- Safety non-negotiables: This is what your family does regardless of the situation (see below).
These are the headings you should use in case you write only one page for your plan.
Emergency Kit Checklist: Essential Items for Your Go-Bag
This is the aspect most people leave out because it seems like an extra step; however, it is the one that transforms panic into actionable tasks.
This is what you will need to be ready:
- A “Go Folder” (Paper + Digital):
- IDs (or copies), birth certificates, medical cards, prescriptions.
- Emergency contacts, including external contacts.
- Important phone numbers written down (phones drop out; memory malfunctions in stress).
- A Small “Go Bag” for Each Person:
- Snacks, basic hygiene products, water.
- Power bank, spare charger, whistle, and a flashlight.
- For children: a comfort object and a card with caregiver contact details.
- Cash and Small Change: It can assist even in small ways in case digital payments fail.
- Photo Routine: Take snapshots of every child every day during an active crisis, so you have up-to-date information about their clothes in case you are separated.
Such planning aids in natural disaster mitigation at the home level as it minimizes last-minute confusion, unsafe shortcuts, and unwarranted exposure to unsafe conditions during evacuation and sheltering.
Family Safety Rules to Prevent Exploitation During Displacement
During displacement, a family can be approached by individuals who may offer rides, employment, safe accommodation, or fast cash. Some offers are genuine. Some are not. Good family rules will ensure you do what you can to avoid debating every situation.
Set boundaries like:
- No child will go anywhere without the caregiver physically accompanying them.
- No private “side trips.” When someone helps, make it public and documented (i.e., at an official desk, community checkpoint, or in public) or viewed by a third party.
- Verify before you trust. Ask: Who sent you? What organization? Can you show identification? Is it possible to call the hotline/office to confirm?
- Remember to use buddy systems in toilets, water points, charging stations, and lines.
- Do not share personal information (where you stay, who is alone, how much money you have, etc.).
In case your family is at risk due to housing insecurity, language barriers, or the risk of separation, it can be worth speaking up about the issue: this plan can also help human trafficking prevention by reducing isolation, enhancing verification routines, and making decisions visible and accountable even during high-stress movement.
Evacuation Day Checklist: What to Do Before You Leave
Basic checklists will eliminate omissions when it is time to go. Here’s an easy flow:
Before you step out the door
- Switch off gas/electricity when it is recommended and safe to do so.
- Insert the go folder and medications into one designated person’s bag (the document carrier).
- Snap a family picture (no matter how exhausted everyone is).
- Write a note left in the house (not visible to everyone) stating your destination.
On the road
- Have one adult deal with navigation; another with the people.
- Write short, easy scripts with children: “In case we lose each other, we meet at…”
- Never follow routes recommended by strangers without verification by official means.
If you must use a shelter
- Evacuate to established shelters where possible (local government, established community centers, known NGOs).
- Enquire about where families can sleep, where children can play safely, and how reporting is done in case something does not feel right.
- Keep your necessities on your person, not under a bed or in a corner.
The goal isn’t to “live in fear.” It is to minimize the instances in which you have to gamble.
Adapting Emergency Plans for Disabled, Single Parents, and Teens
A relocation plan must be flexible, not strict. These are some of the more typical situations:
In the event of a disabled family member or a person with ill health
- Stock 3-7 days of medications whenever possible.
- Have paper copies of dosages, allergies, and emergency procedures.
- Identify the closest healthcare facility in your destination location.
If you’re a single caregiver
- Select a meeting point that is easy and conspicuous for children.
- Find a backup adult who can collect the children in case you are delayed.
- Prepare a short security card for kids: name of caregiver, phone number, and destination.
If you have teens
- Engage them in route maps and role distribution (charging, water, sibling check-ins).
- Establish digital safety guidelines: what should not be posted publicly during displacement (location, shelter name, time of travel).
If you lack documents
- Provide alternative evidence (school cards, clinic cards, photographs of documents).
- Keep electronic copies in a secure place (encrypted or with a trusted person).
Post-Evacuation Steps: How to Stabilize and Communicate Safety
After you get where you want to be, the plan is not over. The initial 24-72 hours are for re-establishing normalcy.
Do these in order:
- Check on safety: Secure sleeping areas, access to clean sanitation, and a safe place for children.
- Contact your long-distance contact: Send one clearly understandable message: “We are safe at [Location] and have people with us; will update in the next message.”
- Recover normalcy: Eating, sleeping, basic tasks, and routine check-ins alleviate anxiety—particularly among children.
- Check what has changed: Are you still together? Do you have low medication levels? Is the area becoming unsafe? Do you need to move again?
A relocation plan is a dynamic document. Update it after every occurrence with one or two lessons learned while the recollection is still fresh.
