What you need to know
Evacuation Shelters, usually set up in school gyms or community centers, are designated shelters that are temporarily set up for people displaced by a disaster to take refuge in. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THE CLOSEST EVACUATION CENTER TO YOUR HOME/WORK IS. Participating in local evacuation drills is recommended so you know what to do when a disaster hits!
What the evacuation shelter does
- Make a list of all the evacuees at the center to account for who is where. This is vital information for embassies to confirm your safety.
- Provide first aid.
- Operates as a vital hub for information and supplies, since they most often become important contact points for the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and other organizations to bring goods and temporary infrastructure, such as toilets, shower, kitchens, and washing machines. Thus, even if you are staying at your home, occasionally go to the shelter for information and or provisions.
Basic rules of living at an evacuation shelter
General rule of thumb: be considerate! Everyone is in it together, so be considerate about the elderly, disabled people, the sick, children, mothers with infants, and expecting mothers.
- Do your best to be a part of the effort. There is much to do, and any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated regardless of your language level.
- When water and food arrive at the shelter, take what you need to the bare minimum or take the amount decided by the rules, and prioritize people who may need it more. It will be hard, but more provisions will come so be as patient as you can.
- Respect each other’s privacy.
- Follow the rules of the evacuation center. They will differ from shelter to shelter due to differences in needs and demographics. Having social order from the beginning is one of the most important step to efficient operation of the shelter and lessen hardships of the evacuees.
What you need to be careful of: Health
- Infections caused by pathogens or untended injuries. With many people crowded together with high stress levels, it is common for people to get under the weather. This can be dangerous for the elderly, and unpleasant during time of limited provisions so do your best to prevent infections. Wash or disinfect your hands often, and clean any wounds thoroughly and as soon as possible (carry sanitizer in your emergency bag).
- Eat food that can go bad first to prevent food poisoning.
- To maintain a certain level of sanitation, use the toilets properly or use disposable toilets. If water is shut off, people may become creative and make their own bathrooms by digging a pit or building a toilet over an uncovered manhole.
- Prevent the development of Deep Vein Thrombosis. This is when a blood clot becomes lodged in the bloodstream, which can sometimes lead to death. Blood clots occur when you spend a long time in one position and or if you are dehydrated, both of which can be common at an evacuation center. People who decide to live in their cars should especially be careful about developing this condition. Make sure to exercise or move your body frequently and prevent dehydration.
For a video that explains what the shelter may be like and for other information about disasters, check out the Mie Info page on evacuation centers.
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