Evacuation Centers Research Articles

Operational Management and Improvement Strategies of Evacuation Centers during the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake—A Case Study of Wajima City

Operational Management and Improvement Strategies of Evacuation Centers during the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake—A Case Study of Wajima City

Integration of UH SUH, HEC-RAS, and GIS in Flood Mitigation with Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System for Gilireng Watershed, Indonesia

A flood forecasting and early warning system is critical for rivers that have a large flood potential, one of which is the Gilireng watershed, which floods every year and causes many losses in Wajo Regency, Indonesia. This research also introduces an integration model between UH SUH and HEC-RAS in flood impact analysis, as a reference for flood forecasting and early warning systems in anticipating the timing and occurrence of floods, as well as GIS in the spatial modeling of flood-prone areas. Broadly speaking, this research is divided into four stages, namely, a flood hydrological analysis using UH SUH, flood hydraulic tracing using a 2D HEC-RAS numerical model, the spatial modeling of flood-prone areas using GIS, and the preparation of flood forecasting and early warning systems. The results of the analysis of the flood forecasting and early warning systems obtained the flood travel time and critical time at the observation point, the total time required from the upstream observation point to level 3 at Gilireng Dam for 1 h 35 min, Mamminasae Bridge for 4 h 35 min, and Akkotengeng Bridge for 8 h 40 min. This is enough time for people living in flood-prone areas to evacuate to the 15 recommended evacuation centers.

Experiences and support for caregivers of infants and young children: 2019–20 bushfires

During emergencies, infants and young children are vulnerable. However, Australia lacks emergency planning and guidance specifically addressing the needs of these children and their caregivers. A total of 256 caregivers (predominately mothers) of children aged 0–4 years were surveyed or interviewed about their experiences during and after the summer bushfires in Australia in 2019–20. In addition, 63 emergency responders were surveyed or interviewed regarding their experiences supporting families with young children, including during the 2019–20 bushfires. Analysis of the surveys and interviews revealed parents were under prepared for the bushfires and preparedness was hampered by a lack of tailored guidance for families. Evacuations were often delayed due to lack of planning and were complicated because of the continuing care needs of children. Evacuation centres presented numerous child-safety risks and women who evacuated on their own particularly struggled to care for their children. Parenting children after the bushfires could be challenging and reports of child behaviour difficulties suggest the effects of the emergency on parents had adverse affects on children. Recovery interventions largely overlooked children younger than school age. Caregivers of infants and young children require targeted preparedness, response and recovery support. This research provides evidence to inform planning and to guide development.

The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake: Preliminary observations and lessons to be learned

On 1st January 2024 an Mw7.5 earthquake occurred along an active fault across the Noto Peninsula. The tremors generated a wide range of cascading hazards, including geological uplift, liquefaction, landslides, fires and tsunamis. This study offers some preliminary observations on the impacts of the cascading hazards. It also describes the pattern of casualties and the experience of evacuees and the management of evacuation centers. The hazards caused damage to buildings and infrastructure and more than 240 deaths. As usual, most casualties were caused by building collapse, but there was a high incidence of death by hypothermia and cold, which is different from the impact of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and reflects the harsher winter climate of this Noto Peninsula. Tsunamis arrived within a few minutes but killed only two people, which testifies to the high awareness of tsunamis in this area. Severe damage to roads significantly delayed early recovery as transportation was curtailed. This earthquake also showed how the problems of evacuees and evacuation shelters had remained unresolved since the 2011 disaster. The main lessons to be learned from this disaster are that improving the earthquake resistance of buildings is important even in Japan, which has a long history of anti-seismic construction. Special provisions are needed for disasters that occur during peak winter or summer weather. Special plans are required to repair and reopen roads damaged by earthquake and to support vulnerable people in both the short and the long term after disaster.

Development and implementation of a rehabilitation triage algorithm for disasters in the subacute phase: an experience from the 2024 Noto peninsula earthquake

Early rehabilitation during disasters such as earthquakes is an important but often undervalued responsibility of medical teams. Both the development of simple tools for assessing the life functioning of evacuees and the standardization of intervention methods are urgent issues in disaster rehabilitation. The Japanese Rehabilitation Assistance Team (JRAT), an officially recognized organization consisting of 10 suborganisations, was established after gaining important experience with disaster rehabilitation in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. We, the Hiroshima JRAT, were dispatched to the Monzen area of Wajima City to support disaster recovery after the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Since disaster rehabilitation assistance was not well established in the Monzen area of Wajima City, the medical team consulted JRAT for guidance on triaging evacuees based on their life functioning. We developed a rehabilitation triage algorithm that classifies evacuees into four triage tags based on their ability to perform three simple movements: sitting up, standing up from the floor, and one-leg standing. In our triage algorithm, an inability to sit up is classified as a red tag (difficulty living in a shelter without assistance), an inability to stand up from the floor is classified as a yellow tag (individual intervention: introduction of beds and handrails), one-leg standing for < 2 s is classified as a green tag (group intervention: installation of toilets and bath rails and use of walkers to prevent falls), and standing on one leg for more than 2 s is classified as a white tag (independent in ADLs). We worked with medical teams to triage 922 evacuees in 27 evacuation centers, resulting in the extraction of four red and eight yellow evacuees in 1 day. Our rehabilitation triage system has the potential to be a simple assessment tool for classifying the life functioning of disaster victims and linking them to appropriate supports.

Enhancing the Barangay Information System by Integrating Geolocation Technology and Tagalog Chatbot using NLP Algorithm for Efficient Community Engagement and Service

This research aims to address the need for improved efficiency and accessibility of a local government constitution which is the barangay services in the Philippines through the integration of an English – Tagalog Chatbot using NLP Algorithm into a Progressive Web-Application based Barangay Information System and Geolocation Technology which detects the location of the affected residents and nearest evacuation centers. The specific objectives include developing an information system for efficient resident data management, training an AI chatbot to handle both English and Tagalog inquiries, and integrating geolocation technology for disaster risk reduction monitoring. The study’s significance lies in enhancing the service provided by barangays, which are often the most accessible government agencies to the public. The system benefits the public by increasing transparency and providing convenient access to services, barangay officials by streamlining transactions and reducing their workload and future researchers by laying the groundwork for further technological advancements in governance. The overall acceptance of the system based on user’s feedback falls within the satisfactory category, which indicates its potential to improve barangay operations. The Barangay Information System, as demonstrated in this study, efficiently manages resident information, streamlines the delivery of certificates, enhances user experience, and ultimately contributes to more effective and efficient community service delivery.

A multi-objective site selection model for evacuation centers in Taguig City, Philippines

A multi-objective site selection model for evacuation centers in Taguig City, Philippines

Tolerance of Tourists in Praying in the Prayer Well Room of the Aceh Tsunami Museum

Indonesia is a maritime country located between three world plates that move together, so Indonesia is a country that has a high earthquake rate. Earthquakes that occur at sea can cause giant waves (tsunami). One of the tsunamis that occurred in Indonesia was the Aceh tsunami in 2004. To commemorate this incident, the Aceh Tsunami Museum was built. This museum was built on December 26 2009, so that the victims of the Tsunami disaster would not be forgotten, then as a safety education center, and an evacuation center if another Tsunami occurred. Inside the Tsunami Museum there is a room called the wishing well. On the walls of the prayer well room are the names of the victims of the Aceh Tsunami. Every visitor who enters here is encouraged to pray for the victims according to their respective beliefs. This is where we can see religious tolerance. The formulation of the research problem is how is the tolerance of tourists in praying in the space of sorrow (praying well room) of the Aceh Tsunami Museum? This research aims to determine the tolerance of tourists in praying in the space of sorrow (praying well room) of the Aceh tsunami museum. The method in this research is a qualitative approach where interviews and observations are carried out. The results obtained from the field will be analyzed and described in detail by researchers. The results of this research are that every visitor has a high level of tolerance

Network analysis for determining the fastest evacuation routes in flood-prone areas of the Tuntang Watershed, Indonesia

Flooding in the Tuntang Watershed, Central Java Province, is a hydrological disaster that occurs regularly. Several factors, such as high rainfall, limited water catchment areas, and narrowing riverbanks, cause flooding. The amount of material and non-material losses can be minimized through an effective disaster mitigation process. One way is to determine and establish flood evacuation routes to shelters. This research aims to analyze the fastest and most effective evacuation route for residents using Geographic Information Systems. This research process includes analyzing flood-prone areas, ranging from highly vulnerable areas to areas that are not vulnerable. Furthermore, it analyzes population density, distribution of residential areas, natural physical conditions, and road conditions and identifies the location of the best evacuation center for residents affected by flooding. The method used is Sample Additive Weighting (SAW) to determine the best evacuation point and Network Analysis Fastest Route to determine the optimal evacuation route to the designated evacuation center. The results of this study include modeling a flood evacuation route with an estimated effective evacuation time of 30-45 minutes, consisting of 50 fastest alternative routes to appropriate shelters.

Flood-resilient and inclusive futures: Integrating community, governance and ecology

Various parts of the Davao region, particularly in Davao del Norte, have recently experienced severe flooding and landslides caused by prolonged heavy rainfall due to the shear line weather system and a low-pressure area. The aftermath has led to significant displacement, disruptions in transportation networks, and loss of homes and lives. The response requires a collective effort from local authorities, NGOs, private sectors, and affected communities, focusing on well-equipped evacuation centers, meeting basic needs, and sustainable design principles. Safeguarding vulnerable populations, including women, children, and senior citizens, is emphasized, requiring tailored assistance and inclusive decision-making processes. Regenerative solutions beyond temporary relief, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning are imperative to address long-term challenges. Flood management is a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, and integrated approach, involving community participation, collaborative governance, and application of ecological principles. A holistic understanding of the nexus between human societies and the environment is crucial for fostering resilient social-ecological systems, encompassing coping mechanisms, adaptive strategies, and transformative capacities to thrive amidst the dynamics of nature.

Religion and Strategic Disaster Risk Management in the Better Normal: The Case of the Pagoda sa Wawa Fluvial Festival in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines

Religion involves expressing beliefs, performing practices, and obeying norms about what is considered sacred and worthy of worship. While some argue that religion has become irrelevant due to the widespread influence of secularism and scientific reasoning, many still find comfort in the sacred. Scientific research has shown that religion can positively impact health and safety, especially during disasters. Accordingly, religion plays a crucial role in one’s wellbeing. In the Philippines, the sound of church bells calls for parishioners to gather and celebrate, and acts as a warning system for different types of danger, such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, raids, uprisings, and fires. Filipinos are warned to leave their houses and come to the church to take shelter. Thus, churches have been considered evacuation centers and loci for disaster risk-reduction undertakings. The proponents conducted a qualitative study investigating the disaster risk management strategies developed and implemented by St. Martin of Tours Parish Church in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines, during the “Pagoda sa Wawa” fluvial festival, where safety measures and crowd control are essential in maintaining a prayerful and peaceful experience. The objective of the study was to investigate how festival organizers prioritize the safety of devotees after a tragedy occurred 30 years ago, which resulted in the deaths of 266 people. Furthermore, this study explores the precautionary measures taken during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing devotees’ compliance and resilience for the common good. This study utilized a tripartite method, including reviewing relevant literature, participating in a pagoda fluvial parade, and conducting semi-structured interviews. The results were presented in a format that consisted of context, content, and challenges for the sake of coherence.

IMPACT OF EMERGENCY FOOD TEMPERATURE AND PRIVACY ON THE STRESS OF LIVING IN AN EVACUATION CENTER

This study investigated the impact of emergency food temperature variation andthe presence of privacyon stress with the aim of potentially reducing the stress of living in an evacuation center during large-scale disasters. Salivary amylase activity of the subjects was measured. Results showed no statistically significant impact on stress due to variations in the temperature of emergency food or privacy. However, the survey noted points for improvement, including experiment settings and relationships between subjects, which highlighted the need for future research and surveys. This study is expected to aid with initiatives that reduce stress in evacuation centershowever, more detailed condition settings are required in order to eliminate individual stress level differences.

Authentic spatial vulnerability assessment for evacuation shelters in disaster planning: a case study of Tubay, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines

Authenticity plays a pivotal role in addressing the primary challenges encountered in disaster planning, particularly when it comes to assessing vulnerability and evaluating the spatial distribution of shelter demand and resources. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data is essential for effectively managing available resources at each evacuation center, as well as for accommodating evacuees and ensuring the safety of both staff and refugees. In real-life circumstances, the authenticity of the information gathered becomes even more critical, as an imbalance in shelter and population distribution often hinders access to evacuation shelters. In this paper, the researchers introduce a spatial assessment technique that not only analyzes vulnerability but also authentically assesses the spatial distribution of shelter demand and supplies, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of disaster planning in Tubay, Agusan del Norte, Philippines. The study focuses on Tubay, Agusan del Norte, Philippines, taking into account spatial accessibility. The researchers found that out of the 33 shelters assessed, 21 are feasible locations for evacuation centers, and approximately 51% of the total population points are vulnerable to flooding. Utilizing GIS maps, the results reveal a significant decrease in overall shelter capacity to 64.26%. The study's findings emphasize the critical need for evaluating the relationship between vulnerable shelters and the demand for resources at each location. This information serves as a practical tool, offering flexibility in terms of data availability for decision-makers, enabling them to investigate areas, and providing a valuable reference for developing and improving emergency management decisions and strategies.

Preparing for the expected: cyclone threats

The Gold Coast is a bustling region in South East Queensland with a large concentration of people and has dynamic and growing business and tourism activity. The region is subject to thunderstorms and tropical cyclones that can generate damaging winds. The Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for South East Queensland evaluates the risk posed by severe winds and has strategies for managing this risk (Edwards et al. 2022). Results from the most recent assessment showed that older residential houses were the most damaged by severe winds and that this contributed disproportionately to community risk. However, lessons from recent wind damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Seroja in Western Australia in 2021 indicated that modern house designs have important vulnerabilities. These findings are a concern for any exposed coastal area and, in particular, for South East Queensland. This paper presents a suite of scenarios developed to address this vulnerability. Specifically, we describe how emergency and disaster managers can conduct capability analyses with the goal to enhance intelligence and planning capabilities. An example of the City of Gold Coast was used to show how it has leveraged these capabilities to improve emergency risk-based planning and begin a community resilience transformation with effective places of refuge and evacuation centres for the community.

“Analysis of School Infrastructure Potential as Temporary Evacuation Centers During Emergency Disaster Conditions in Palu and Surrounding Areas”

The earthquake that occurred in Central Sulawesi province on September 28, 2018, devastated parts of Palu City, Sigi Regency, and Donggala Regency. The earthquake and tsunami caused damage to various facilities and infrastructure, resulting in a significant number of casualties. To minimize the risk of casualties during disasters, a rescue strategy is needed, one of which is providing evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas. Therefore, it is necessary to identify which areas can be proposed as temporary evacuation sites during disasters. This research aims to assess the benefits of school infrastructure by examining the suitability of school infrastructure when utilized as temporary evacuation centers. The recommended locations consider the availability of toilets, classrooms, schoolyard area, and service radius. The weighting criteria use Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (SMCDA) with the Weighted Overlay method. The analysis is carried out using ArcGIS Pro software, and the weighting of each criterion/layer uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, considering the criteria of classroom availability, schoolyard area, and service radius. The results of this study indicate that of the 72 schools reviewed, there are 24 schools with a high level of conformity, 19 schools with a moderate level of conformity and 29 schools with a low level of conformity.

Disaster Preparedness for Children With Food Allergies During the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake-Observational Study.

A series of 3 direct-type earthquakes with magnitude ≥6 occurred in the Kumamoto Prefecture, located in the western area of Japan, between April 14 and 16, 2016. Children with food allergies (FA) had difficulty procuring allergen-free meals during this period due to the infrastructure shutdown. We investigated the status of children with FA during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and their behavioral changes after the disaster. We conducted a survey of the parents of 59 children with FA (median: 4 years and 1 month old) who were clinically followed up at our institution. They were questioned about their behavior change to allergen removal and using allergen-free foods during the disaster. Forty-seven (79.7%) children with FA were evacuated immediately after the earthquake and returned to their homes after the restoration of lifelines. Most stayed in their cars, while a few took shelter at public evacuation sites. Thirty-eight children (64.4%) had difficulty obtaining allergen-free food, and 29 children with FA (49.2%) did not have a stockpile at home. Thirty-three children with FA (55.9%) consumed allergen-free foods acquired primarily through relief supplies. Forty-seven guardians (79.7%) insisted that stockpiling allergy-friendly foods at home should be a part of future disaster planning. Stockpiles of allergen-free food were not sufficient in most households. Awareness of self-stockpiling allergen-free foods, reassessing public stockpiling, and establishing a system to provide information regarding relief supplies to evacuees outside evacuation centers are important for disaster planning in children with FA.

DAKWAH SEMASA MUSIBAH BANJIR DI MALAYSIA

Flood disasters in Malaysia, occurring annually, significantly impact the da'wah efforts and institutions vital to Muslim communities. Mosques and suraus, central to religious education and guidance, transform into temporary evacuation centers during these crises. This shift negatively affects the Malaysian People's Well-Being Index (IKRM), amplifying social symptoms due to a lack of religious education. This paper explores the concept of da'wah from an Islamic perspective, presents Islamic theoretical da'wah models, and addresses the unique needs of Islamic da'wah during flood disasters in Malaysia. The study identifies ten Islamic theoretical da'wah models, proposing a combination of integrated models with online or social media strategies to align with the digital age's prevalence in society. As modern gadgets become essential in daily life, leveraging digital platforms becomes crucial for effective da'wah. The study aims to provide a comprehensive model that can serve as a solution to mitigate social symptoms during flood disasters, contributing to the realization of a prosperous society aligned with the goals of the Madani Malaysia government.

Insights and viewpoints from a small-scale survey on current nuclear disaster preparedness measures in Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

In nuclear disaster prevention, it is essential not only to make daily efforts to prevent accidents from occurring but also to properly apply lessons learnt from actual disasters. Although significant changes have been made to nuclear disaster preparedness in Japan since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, there is insufficient information on whether these changes have been evaluated as practical and appropriate for the needs of the Japanese public. In this survey, 20 officials of the Cabinet Office and Japan Atomic Energy Agency, in charge of planning nuclear disaster prevention policy, were asked to evaluate the current nuclear disaster prevention plan through a questionnaire, and compare it with that before the accident, and indicate what elements are lacking in the current plan. The survey results revealed that 30% of the participants (six respondents) had a positive view of the enhancement of resources, including physical and human assets. However, as many as 60% (12 respondents) expressed negative sentiments, primarily due to perceived deficiencies in organisational measures, particularly the coordination of these resources. Moreover, the participants expressed keen interest in obtaining health data during evacuation, along with information on the physical and mental effects on evacuees living in evacuation centres. These crucial insights can inform the formulation of effective future preparedness plans for evacuation and radiation protection.

Usability Survey on Integrated Support System for Flood Disaster Management

Recovery and response in managing flood disaster requires effective communication system for information sharing and coordination between agencies. However, the flood rescue and relief operations in Malaysia is yet inefficient due to decentralised management system between humanitarian relief organisations. Hence, this study attempt to contribute through information technology solution by integrating roles of different agencies such as Ministry of Health (KKM), Malaysian Department of Social Welfare (JKM), Malaysian Meteorological Department (JMM) as well as nonprofit organisations (NGOs) in managing flood victim. Therefore, Waterfall methodology has been adopted in developing an online flood integrated support system for mitigating, preparing, responding, and recovering flood management process. The system acts as a centralised platform for flood rescue voluntary, disseminates flood-related information updates, and manage flood victim health status particularly in the Segamat district of Johore. An online usability survey by purposive sampling has been conducted with 30 public citizens representing prospectives system users. In addition, three individuals from flood management agencies are selected to represent the system administrator for evaluating the system usefulness through USE questionnaire. Findings for the usability survey suggested that the system usability is satisfactory. Likewise, while the admin features have been satisfactorily rated based on the USE questionnaires with some suggestions for future improvement. Extending the system features in managing registration and aid for the victims in the flood evacuation centre is recommended for future work.

The need for health system strengthening in the wake of natural disasters: Lessons from the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake

AbstractThe 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake was reported as the largest earthquake of Mw7.8, resulting in over 50,783 and 7259 deaths in Turkey and Syria, respectively. It has also damaged numerous residential buildings and other essential infrastructures, thus rendering more than 850,000 children and 356,000 pregnant women homeless, forcing them into displacement and its dire consequences, such as inadequate temporary shelters, a lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), necessary for disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance. The disaster has disproportionately affected the Syrian refugee community in Turkey as it has fuelled disparities and discrimination, exacerbating the response to the disaster and forcing refugees to return to Syria due to dire living conditions. Minimizing the effects of the disaster on the communities is therefore essential. There is a need to strengthen health system resilience and emergency response to natural disasters to reduce and prevent the aftermath. Disaster preparedness plans should include regulations that ensure that local buildings and infrastructure are disaster‐resistant. Furthermore, it is vital to highlight the importance of funding and appropriate resource allocation for disaster risk reduction. These include improving plans and logistics for recovery efforts, adequate preparation of temporary shelters and evacuation centres and allocating necessities such as food and water. Investment in proper search and rescue response, a special workforce for response and the rebuilding of important infrastructure are crucial. Finally, response to disasters must be inclusive and prioritize vulnerable populations, such as children, the aged women and refugees.