Natural disaster - earthquake, flooding, tsunami, mudslides, cyclones, volcanic eruptions
Hazard Description and Personal Vulnerabilities
- Continuous threat of natural disaster e.g. active volcano.
- After effects following occurrence of a natural disaster e.g. impact on local infrastructure and inaccessibility of many places.
- Lack of adequate emergency preparedness, medical facilities and emergency equipment could increase the impact that a natural disaster may have.
- Embassies may only be able to offer limited or no assistance in a crisis due to inaccessibility.
- Travel networks may be unusable.
- Different times of year may increase the likelihood of threat occurring.
- There may be exclusion zones – use the FCO site to check and make note of these.
- Landslides/mudslides, which can occur in mountainous regions during heavy rains.
- At certain times of year heavy snowfall may lead to avalanches in mountainous regions.
Control Measures (actions to reduce risk level)
- Identify safe places near where you are staying and working.
- When looking for a place to live, check if the building is earthquake resistant (if applicable).
- Take care when travelling.
- Outline how you will monitor local reporting.
- Familiarise yourself with and describe local safety procedures in the event of a natural disaster (listing emergency service numbers and centres you will use).
- List any dos and don'ts.
- Keep a stock of food and bottled water.
- Make sure your phone is charged.
- Be prepared for any accompanying hazards e.g. mudflows, flash floods.
- Be aware that the occurrence of natural disasters may result in airport closures.
- After any natural disaster occurring, stay away from danger zones (e.g. ashfall areas), avoid travel and stay indoors until local health officials advise that it is safe to go outside.
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