Response mechanisms

There are a vast number of responses that ought to be considered. Each response depends upon the nature of the threat. Some of the broader categories of response for a variety of hazards include:

· evacuation procedures

· search and rescue

· security of affected areas

· assessment teams

· activating special installations (such as emergency hospital facilities)

· activating distribution systems

· preparing emergency reception centers and shelters activating emergency programs for airports, harbors and land transport

Once an effective disaster preparedness plan is in place, these response mechanisms should be familiar to potential beneficiaries or to those with the responsibilities of implementing such measures. The matrix found on page 28 demonstrates a range of needs which may arise in different types of emergencies.

Needs which may, arise in different types of emergency

Sectors in which UNICEF assistance might be considered

Needs frequently experienced	C Depending on climate: may be needed if weather is cold and/or wet
Needs sometimes experienced	.. Needs rarely arise (or usually of low priority).

Where disasters occur in combination - e.g. floods following a tropical storm - the combined effects/needs must be considered.

		Sudden, cataclysmic disasters			Long-term, continuing emergencies
Sector in which needs may arise		Earth-quakes	Storms	Floods	Droughts, famines 8	Conflicts	Displaced populations
Food, nutrition and income
	Short-term general ration distribution
	Agricultural production	.. 1
	Long-term selective provision of employment and/or food	U	..	R
	Nutrition surveillance	..
	Special feeding2	..	..
Health services
	Reinforcement of management and personnel	3
	Reconstruction, transport and equipment				..
	Drugs and other supplies	3	..
	Surveillance for communicable diseases	..
	Immunization	..	..
	Diarrhoea control	..	..
Water supplies
	Distribution, storage, treatment
	Rehabilitation/development of sources		5	5		5
Sanitation
	Excreta disposal		..	U	..
	Garbage/refuse disposal			U	..
	Personal hygiene		..	U	..
	Vector control		..		..
Shelter and household functioning
	Emergency shelter	C	C	..	..	C
	Reconstruction			7	..
	Blankets	C	C	C	..	C	C
	Household utensils etc			7	..
Child care and social services
	Community social services
	Unaccompanied children
	Schools/education				..
Overall management and logistics
	Reinforcement of management capacity and systems
	Transport, vehicles, fuel, spares, maintenance
	Storage facilities
Possible secondary effects/disasters		Fires, landslides, local floods, tsunamis	Floods, landslides, storm surge.		Displaced populations	Displaced populations

^U Primarily in urban areas.

^R Primarily in rural areas

¹ Only if major irrigation works damaged

² Assuring appropriate weaning foods and food for vulnerable groups (possible supplementary feeding): therapeutic feeding for severely malnourished children: combating Vitamin-A or other specific deficiences

³ For casualty treatment in first few days only

⁴ Only if ground-water flows changed.

⁵ if wells or usual surface sources contaminated or inaccessible.

⁶ Depending on the type of construction.

⁷ Only in cases of destructive “flash” floods (in valleys).

⁸ “Food emergencies” without displacement.

Volcanic eruptions: Possible needs (and secondary effects)are similar to those for earthquakes within the area directly affected by the eruption There may be population displacements.

Tsunamis (tidal waves caused by earthquakes): Possible needs are similar to those of tropical storms plus floods, with the added complication of contamination of wells and agricultural land by salt water.

Epidemics Needs usually include specific drugs, transport, surveillance, improvement of water supplies, personal hygiene and sanitation. Reinforcement of health service management may also been required

Source from: UNICEF, Assisting in Emergencies, United Nations Children’s Fund, 1986.