Planning Your Evacuation Before Crisis Strikes

Planning Your Evacuation Before Crisis Strikes

The difference between a safe evacuation and a dangerous one often comes down to prior planning. Families and individuals who have prepared evacuation plans before conflict escalates have significantly better survival outcomes.

When to Begin Evacuation Planning

Early Warning Signs That Trigger Planning:
– Increasing military activity in your region
– Government warnings or alerts
– Neighboring communities being evacuated
– Infrastructure breakdown (utilities, services)
– Reports of atrocities in nearby areas
– Significant deterioration of civil order

Principle: Plan early, before you need to. It is always better to have a plan you don’t use than to need one you don’t have.

Developing Your Evacuation Plan

Step 1: Define Your Destination Options

Identify Multiple Destinations:
– Primary destination: Safest option (e.g., relative’s home in another region)
– Secondary destination: Backup if primary is not accessible
– Tertiary destination: Emergency option closer to home

Evaluating Destinations:
– Is it currently safe and likely to remain safe?
– Do you have contacts or family there?
– Is it accessible via multiple routes?
– What resources are available there?

Step 2: Map Your Evacuation Routes

For Each Destination, Identify:
– Primary route: Fastest, most direct
– Secondary route: Alternative if primary is blocked
– Foot route: For when vehicles are impossible

For Each Route, Know:
– Distance and estimated travel time
– Checkpoints and border crossings you may encounter
– Fuel stations, water sources, and rest points
– Areas of known danger to avoid

Practical Tip: Drive your primary and secondary routes before crisis to identify road conditions, bridges, and narrow points.

Step 3: Create Your Go-Bag (Emergency Evacuation Bag)

Documents (Most Important):
– National ID cards for all family members
– Passports
– Birth certificates
– Marriage certificate
– Property documents
– Medical records and prescriptions
– Keep digital copies on encrypted USB drive

Survival Essentials:
– Water: 1 liter per person per day (3-day minimum)
– Food: Non-perishable, calorie-dense (protein bars, dried food)
– First aid kit
– Medications (3+ month supply where possible)
– Torch/flashlight and batteries
– Emergency blankets
– Cash in local and foreign currency
– Mobile phone with charger and power bank

Tools:
– Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
– Rope (paracord)
– Duct tape
– Fire starter (lighter, matches)
– Map of your region (paper, not just digital)
– Compass

Comfort Items (Especially for Families):
– Small toys or comfort objects for children
– Change of clothes for everyone
– Hygiene essentials

Go-Bag Size and Weight:
– Should be wearable as a backpack
– No more than 15-20% of body weight
– Prepare separate bags for each adult family member

Step 4: Family Communication Plan

Designate a Meeting Point:
– Primary meeting point near home
– Secondary meeting point outside neighborhood
– All family members must know both points

Communication Protocols:
– Designate an out-of-area contact all family members can call
– Agree on check-in times and methods
– Establish a code word meaning immediate evacuation needed
– Agree on decision-making authority if family becomes separated

For Children:
– Children should memorize parent’s phone numbers
– Children should know meeting points
– Consider writing contact number on child’s arm in pen

Step 5: Financial Preparation

– Withdraw cash (banks may close)
– Keep multiple currencies if near international borders
– Hide money in multiple locations in bag
– Identify valuables compact enough to carry
– Leave property documents and photos with trusted person outside conflict zone

Step 6: Network Preparation

Build Your Support Network:
– Identify trusted neighbors willing to share information
– Connect with community information networks
– Know where local authorities and organizations operate
– Identify a trusted person in your planned destination

Key Takeaways
– Begin evacuation planning at first signs of deteriorating security
– Always have at least two evacuation routes and three destinations
– Go-bags should include documents, water, food, and essential tools
– Family communication plans must be known by all members including children
– Cash and documents are more important than electronics or luxury items
– Practice your evacuation route before you need to use it
– A plan you prepare but never use is always worth more than no plan

Image Reference: eduflo-war-survival-evacuation-planning.png