Mass Evacuations in

Natural Disasters best

practices
Albrecht A. Beck
Prepared International (PPI)
 Mass Evacuations in Natural Disasters
Build capacity with regard to
the planning and
implementation of mass
evacuations in natural disasters

Improve the management of

mass evacuations to save more
lives and offer greater
protection and support for the
population

Prevent a disaster becoming a

disaster
Mass Evacuation in well-developed
countries
Example of Katarina, U.S.A.
Tens of thousands of people
were left in the city without
food, adequate shelter or
healthcare
Lack of adequate planning
and coordination in many
developed countries of the
world
 Nepal Earthquake 2015 Open Spaces
Lessons Learned

Open Spaces Project outcome of preparedness work

These spaces should have offered protection in the immediate
aftermath of the earthquake and provide a starting point for
humanitarian actors to offer assistance
Success very limited due to in-adequate planning
Mass Evacuation also needed in earthquake situations
Best practices

Involvement of all relevant

actors in an coordinated
manner during the overall
evacuation cycle
Mass Evacuation Cycle
Pre-event
Early Warning
Decision
Warning/Directive
Evacuation
Emergency Shelter and
Relief
Transitional Shelter /
Recovery
 Pre-event
Cross Cutting Issues (legal framework, roles and
responsibilities, protection, synergy across authorities)

Understanding the Evacuation Zone (community analysis,

risk assessments, security concerns, timing models)
 Early Warning
MEND has been rolled out
in the Philippines, Nepal
and Bangladesh with two
more planned for this year.

Current partners include

UNDAC, ECHO, IHP, MSB,
DPC, THW and others
Capacity building workshop in Nepal. 2015
Decision to evacuate

Abruzzo Earthquake 2009 Vesuvio emergency plan

Warning / Directive
Evacuation
Emergency Shelter and Relief

Common background for planning mass evacuation

Sharing of best practises and experiences;
Room for training, exercise and capacity building
Reflections on Camp management activities
In line with the prevention and preparadeness
actions foreseen by the new legislation on the
Union Civil Protection Mechanism;
Initiative aimed at combining humanitarian aid and
civil protection capacities in the field of disaster
management
Transitional Shelter /

Recovery and
Reintegration
Mass Evacuation Preparedness:
Status in our region

How well are we prepared ?

What is your experience ?

What could be improved ?

 Prepared International (PPI)
1.
2. Mass Evacuation Preparedness Assessment
3. Design of systems
4. Coordination of planning
5. Training and Simulations for Evacuations
6.
7.