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Prepare for significant infrastructure disruptions
Earthquakes can lead to crippling damage to all infrastructure. If you’re responding following an earthquake, keep in mind that you’ll have to live without much of the region’s normal infrastructure as you get ready to deploy.
Power will be disrupted throughout the region. Generators may keep critical facilities running as long as fuel can be provided. It will be harder to find power closer to the epicenter. Extensive repairs may be needed before power can be restored as well.
Communications (especially cell phone and internet coverage) will be spotty and slow, if available. Communicate via text for a better chance of getting through and to ease network traffic.
Sanitation will be a problem as pipes will break, and sewage may back up. Clean water will be hard to find during the initial few weeks.
Transportation will be difficult. Roads, bridges, and airport runways will be significantly damaged. Landslides may block normal routes. Watch for holes and debris as you travel.
Have a plan for shelter
After a major earthquake, thousands of homes will have collapsed. Many more will be damaged or structurally unsound.
Survivors may opt to sleep outside out of necessity or fear. Sleeping on the ground or in a tent will feel much safer than sleeping under a roof.
Parks and other large open spaces will fill up with people sleeping outside.
If you sleep inside somewhere, know the route out, keep it clear, and have your go bag ready. Having a backpacking tent or at least a tarp can provide some additional shelter for aid workers. Your organization should be able to tell you what shelter to expect.
How to sleep in your car overnight
Expect more aftershocks
Strong aftershocks will continue for a long time after the initial earthquake. The first few weeks and months are especially active.
The first earthquake may not be the largest. When a larger earthquake follows the initial earthquake, the larger one becomes the primary (mainshock) earthquake, while the initial smaller one is called a foreshock. This only happens about 6% of the time, though.
Aftershocks can be quick jolts or long, continuous shaking. They may sound like a clap of thunder.
Even minor aftershocks bring back extreme fear from the survivors. You’ll likely hear animals howling and still rightfully terrified screams from survivors.
Logistics will be even more complicated
Immediately after a large disaster, dozens of countries and hundreds of non government organizations (NGOs) will offer help.
Many nations struggle with infrastructure even on a good day. Adding thousands of responders and additional vehicles and planes can quickly snarl roads and airports.
As with any deployment, flexibility is crucial. Plans will change, flights will be delayed, roads will be closed. Prepare for what you can; adapt for what you can’t.
Be more than self-sufficient
If you respond to a disaster, you need to take care of yourself and still provide humanitarian aid to others.
The worst thing we can do as a humanitarian aid worker is to arrive and then need help ourselves.
Be a blessing to the individuals and the country you are responding to.
As always, be sure to read what your NGO or humanitarian aid group sends you. They’ll tell you what conditions they are expecting you to run into. Then again, you may end up doing something completely different (and yes, that’s personal experience talking).
7 things to pack for an earthquake response
Water filter (We like Sawyer)
Clean water will be scarce. Water filters allow you to clean most contaminants out of your water.
Additional power banks
I travel with at least one power bank. If you know the power is going to be out, take two.
Sturdy boots
Steel toe shoes work great for walking through debris. Better yet, get a steel shank. A steel shank will prevent glass and nails from going straight through the sole of your shoe. Some boots/shoes will have them but you can also buy them as an insert.
Additional food
You may need to supply most of your food, especially early in the response. Protein bars, peanut butter, and nuts are very calorie dense items.
Baby wipes
Baby wipes work great (or well enough) for waterless baths and provide a quick way to clean your hands. Dust and debris will be everywhere. Make sure you keep yourself clean. Use hand sanitizer before you eat. It’d also be a good idea to bring a mask for all that dust.
Solar charging panel
Keep those extra battery packs charging while the sun is out.
Tent, sleeping bag, & mat
If you’re going to be moving a lot and don’t have firm housing plans, a backpacking setup may be the best option for you. It offers a lot of storage and can be reassuring to carry shelter with you.
Bonus Tip
One of the best ways to prepare for disaster response is by talking to someone who has deployed before. Ask them questions. They’d love to give you more tips. Feel free to send us your questions in the comments or on social media!
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