Tsunamis — Module 2 · Phase 3: After

Phase 3: After — Staying safe, recovering, and returning without risk

The fact that the water has receded does not mean the danger is over.

After the initial impact of a tsunami, serious threats can continue for hours and, depending on the scale of the disaster, for days or longer.

A diverse family —parents with a baby, a child, an elderly person with a cane and a person in a wheelchair with an assistance dog and a pet carrier— stays on high ground watching a devastated coast, next to a green safe-zone sign.

These include:

New waves and currents associated to the tsunami;
aftershocks from the earthquake that may have caused the event;
flooding;
weakened buildings and structures;
damaged roads and bridges;

fallen electrical wires;
gas leaks;
fires;
contaminated water;
wastewater;

chemical substances;
glass, metal and other debris;
wounds and infections;
disruptions to water, electricity and communication services.

During this phase, the priorities are:

Remain outside the danger zone until the authorities authorize the return;

attend to urgent medical needs;

avoid further accidents and exposure to contamination;

consume only water and food considered safe;

stay informed through official sources;

provide protection specially to children, elderly people, people with disabilities and others who need assistance;

return and begin recovery efforts only when conditions allow it.

3.1

Do not return until the authorities say it is safe

This is the main rule after a tsunami:

A tsunami does not necessarily consist of a single wave.

Multiple waves and strong currents can occur over a prolonged period, and a later wave may be larger or more destructive than an earlier one.

Several tsunami waves advance in a line toward a rocky coast with a lighthouse; the water drags debris against a breakwater.

Therefore:

Stay in the safe zone;

keep up with official information;

do not go down to the beach;

do not travel on coastal roads;

do not go closer to observe or record the phenomenon;

do not go onto docks or damaged structures;

do not try to recover boats or property.

3.2

Do not use a fixed height or distance as the only safety criterion

During the emergency you must stay in the safe zone established for the locality, at the corresponding meeting point or at the place indicated by the authorities.

An emergency official and a man examine a hazard map on a table, with a flooded and damaged coastal town in the background.

The extent of the flooding produced by a tsunami depends, among other factors, on:

The topography;
the characteristics of the coast;

the magnitude and characteristics of the tsunami;

the presence of rivers, inlets and canals;
local conditions.

The so-called “Cota 30” should not be used as a universal rule for determining when a person is safe.

For this reason, the official hazard maps, the evacuation zones and the instructions of the local authorities take priority over any general reference to height or distance.

3.3

Stay informed

After the impact, keep checking official communications.

A diverse family —a grandmother with a cane, a mother with a baby, a child, a woman in a wheelchair and an official in green clothing— listens to a radio under an awning in a community camp.

Use the means available:

Radio;
official alert systems;

mobile phone;
text messages;
official apps;

institutional emergency channels;
other systems established by the local authorities.

Official information may indicate:

Whether waves are still arriving;
which areas remain evacuated;
which roads are closed;

where shelters are located;
where medical care can be obtained;
whether the drinking water is safe;

where food and supplies are being distributed;
when return may begin.

Do not make safety decisions based solely on rumors, unverified posts or forwarded messages on social media.

3.4

Use communications responsibly

After a disaster, telecommunications networks may be saturated or partially interrupted.

A mother with a baby uses the phone next to a child and an elderly woman in an indoor community shelter.

However, it should not be established as an absolute rule that only SMS or social media may be used.

If you need to request medical assistance, report an emergency or contact the response services and the phone network is working, use the appropriate means available.

When communications are working:

Use short messages to tell family that you are safe;

avoid unnecessarily long calls;

follow the recommendations of the authorities and telecommunications operators;

conserve your phone battery;

use emergency communications only when they are necessary.

Text messages and messaging apps can be useful when voice networks are congested.

3.5

Be ready for aftershocks

If the tsunami was generated by a nearby earthquake, aftershocks may occur.

A rescuer in an orange vest talks with a family —a mother with a baby, a child, an elderly woman with a cane and a woman in a wheelchair— next to homes damaged by the earthquake.

An aftershock can also generate a new tsunami threat.

If you receive a new alert or again recognize natural danger signs, immediately apply the corresponding evacuation instructions once more.

Some can be strong enough to:

Bring down structures already weakened;
cause material to come loose;
make objects fall;

damage roads;
interrupt services;
complicate rescue operations.

If you feel an aftershock:

Protect yourself immediately;

move away from unstable structures when you can do so safely;

do not stay next to walls, poles, facades or other damaged elements;

follow the instructions of the authorities.

3.6

Do not enter affected areas immediately

Even if the authorities have cancelled the threat of further waves, certain areas may remain extremely dangerous.

A worker in a hard hat makes a stop signal next to a safety barrier, in front of a flooded street with damaged homes, a fallen pole and an affected bridge.

Avoid:

Flooded streets;
areas covered in mud;

collapsed structures;
severely damaged buildings;

affected bridges;
areas with downed power lines;

places where there are gas leaks;
search and rescue operation areas.

Do not enter restricted areas.

People entering prematurely can create new casualties and hinder the work of firefighters, medical services, police, civil protection and rescue teams.

3.7

Avoid floodwater and mud

The water left behind by a tsunami must not be considered clean water.

A flooded street with floating debris, a fallen power pole and an open drain next to the stagnant water.

It may contain:

Wastewater;
microorganisms;
fuels;
oils;

pesticides;
chemical products;
metals;
glass;

sharp objects;
construction material debris;
other contaminants.

In addition, murky water can conceal:

holes,
open drains,
changes in level,

sharp objects,
downed power lines,
other hazards.

A mother and her son watch, from the edge of the sidewalk, a flooded street with oil stains and a floating refrigerator.

For that reason:

Do not walk through floodwater unnecessarily;

do not let children play in it;

do not let pets drink it;

avoid contact with open wounds;

use appropriate protection if authorized cleanup tasks make contact unavoidable.

If your skin comes into contact with floodwater, wash it as soon as possible with clean water and soap.

If a wound comes into contact with contaminated water, it must be cleaned properly and watched for signs of infection.

3.8

Power lines, installations and electrocution

Treat every downed power line as dangerous. Do not touch it.

A man points to a fallen power pole with cables over a flooded street, next to a mother with a baby and a child.

Do not touch these either:

Objects that are in contact with cables;

damaged poles;

wet electrical equipment;

flooded electrical installations.

Keep children and other people away, and report the presence of dangerous cables or installations to the corresponding services.

Do not attempt to repair damaged electrical installations if you are not trained and authorized to do so.

Water can conduct electricity.

3.9

Gas, fuels and fire risk

A family moves away from a cracked home with a visible gas leak at the meter and a fallen cylinder next to a spilled drum.

The earthquake and the tsunami can damage:

Gas pipes;
fuel tanks;
industrial installations;

vehicles;
household systems.

If you smell gas, hear a leak or find signs of spilled fuel:

move away;

do not light any flame;
do not smoke;

do not operate electrical switches in the area;

report it to the corresponding services.

Do not attempt to inspect damaged installations if doing so means entering an unsafe structure.

3.10

Do not enter damaged buildings without authorization

Two men, one in a reflective vest, look at a two-story home with a visible crack on its facade, behind a safety barrier with cones.

For that reason:

Respect closures and restrictions;

do not enter severely damaged buildings;

do not let children go in to explore;

do not remove structural elements;

do not try to recover property when conditions are unsafe.

When the authorities or competent professionals determine that you may enter, do so with caution and stay alert to new risks.

3.11

Roads, bridges and vehicles

A man watches, from next to his vehicle, a safety barrier with cones on a bridge whose ground has been eroded, beside a fallen sign.

The water may have:

Eroded the ground beneath the pavement;
weakened bridges;

opened sinkholes;
displaced sewer covers;

deposited debris;
destroyed signage.

Respect all barriers and closures.

Never drive through an area that is still flooded.

Do not use vehicles to enter restricted areas or to look at the damage.

3.12

Water for human consumption

After a tsunami, the drinking water supply may have become contaminated.

However, it should not be established as a universal rule that all tap water is prohibited after any tsunami.

The correct rule is:

Follow the instructions of the health authorities and of those responsible for the water supply.

An emergency official hands a bottle of water to a mother and her child next to a supply table with a dispenser and water bottles, with a line of people in the background.

If a contamination warning exists, or if the authorities indicate that the water is not safe:

Use bottled water;

or water properly treated according to official sanitation standards.

Safe water must be used not only for drinking, but also, in accordance to active sanitation guidelines, for:

Preparing food;
preparing infant formula;

brushing teeth;
making ice;

washing food utensils;
other activities in which water could be swallowed.

Wells that have been flooded may require inspection, disinfection and testing before being used again.

Normal appearance, smell or taste do not guarantee that water is safe.

3.13

Food after the flooding

Food that has come in contact with floodwater may be contaminated.

A woman in a mud-covered kitchen points to a garbage bag next to canned food on the table, with the refrigerator open in the background.

However, it should neither be claimed that absolutely all food in an affected area must be discarded.

Some commercially packaged products in intact, and appropriate packaging may be recoverable through specific sanitary procedures.

Follow the instructions of the health authorities.

Discard food that:

Has been directly exposed to floodwater and is not protected by packaging that can be considered safe; has open or damaged packaging;

shows abnormal smell, color or texture; has been left unrefrigerated for a period that compromises its safety.

Pay particular attention to containers made of:

Cardboard;
paper;

absorbent materials;

lids that cannot be properly cleaned or disinfected.

Do not taste food to determine whether it is safe.
If there is any doubt about its safety, discard it.

3.14

Hand hygiene

Hygiene is especially important after flooding.

A woman washes her hands in a basin next to a water dispenser while a child watches, in a community camp with tents in the background.

Wash your hands with safe water and soap:

Before preparing food;
before eating;

after using the bathroom;
after changing diapers;

after handling waste;
after taking part in cleanup tasks;

after touching objects contaminated by floodwater or wastewater.

When soap and water are not immediately available, an appropriate alcohol-based product can be used as a temporary measure when conditions allow.

However, if hands are visibly dirty or contaminated, proper washing must be done as soon as safe water is available.

3.15

Wounds and injuries

Glass, nails, metal, broken wood and other debris can cause wounds.

Do not ignore an injury simply because it looks minor.

A woman wearing gloves tends the bandaged arm of a man sitting on a bench next to a first-aid kit, among debris.

If you are injured:

Get out of the dangerous area;
control significant bleeding with appropriate first aid;

clean the wounds with safe water when possible;
cover them with clean material;

seek medical attention when the severity of the injury requires it.

Wounds that have been in contact with floodwater must be particularly watched.

Seek medical attention for signs such as:

increasing pain;
spreading redness;
swelling;
discharge;
fever;
other signs of infection.

People with deep, puncture or contaminated wounds may need additional medical evaluation, including a review of their tetanus protection.

3.16

First aid and rescue

A man bandages another man's arm as he sits on a concrete block, next to an emergency official, among debris and fallen power poles.

If you find a seriously injured person:

Request professional assistance;

keep them away from immediate danger;

do not move them unnecessarily if you suspect serious injuries, unless staying where they are represents a greater danger;

follow the instructions of the emergency services when you can reach them.

**Do not enter collapsed structures on your own to carry out rescues if you do not have training, equipment and authorization.**

Secondary collapses, aftershocks and unstable materials can turn someone trying to help into a new casualty.

3.17

Volunteering and community help

Volunteers and an emergency official organize bottled water, blankets and supply boxes on a table, next to a woman in a wheelchair and an elderly person with a cane.

If you want to help:

Follow the authorities' instructions; join coordinated organizations or teams, whenever possible;

only carry out tasks you are capable of, use the required protective equipment;

do not interfere with professional search and rescue operations.

It can be especially useful to help, when organized and authorized, with:

Water and food distribution;
guiding people;
supporting elderly people or people with disabilities;

organizing shelters;
family reunification;
logistical tasks;

other low-risk community tasks.

The intention to help does not replace the training required to carry out technical rescues, enter collapsed structures, work with electricity, fuel, hazardous substances or other specialized threats.

3.18

Carbon monoxide: an invisible danger

Power outages after a disaster can lead to the use of portable generators, camping stoves or other fuel-burning equipment.

These devices produce carbon monoxide, a gas that cannot be seen or smelled and that can cause severe poisoning or death.

A man watches a portable generator that sends smoke into a cracked home, next to a damaged entrance.

Never use:

Generators;
grills;
braziers;

fuel stoves;
engines;

inside homes, garages, basements, tents, closed shelters or other spaces without adequate ventilation.

Generators must be used outdoors and far enough away from doors, windows and air intakes, following the safety instructions of the manufacturer and the authorities.

Never run a car with the engine on, inside a garage or other enclosed space.

3.19

Cleaning up can also be dangerous

When entry is finally authorized and recovery efforts begin, use appropriate protective equipment based on the existing risks.

A mother and her son watch a man wearing a mask, gloves and protective glasses enter a cracked home, next to a table with gloves, goggles, masks and a bucket with a mop.

It may be necessary to use:

Sturdy footwear;
long pants;

appropriate gloves;
eye protection;

adequate respiratory protection for certain tasks.

Take extra care with:

Glass;
nails;
metal;

slippery surfaces;
unstable heavy objects;

mold;
chemical products;
wastewater.

Do not let children take part in dangerous cleanup tasks.
Recovering property must never take priority over people’s safety.

3.20

Fundamental principle of this phase

After a tsunami, the objective is not to return as soon as possible, but to return when it is safe.

The visible disappearance of the water does not remove the dangers.

An emergency official in a reflective vest talks with a family —a grandmother with a cane, a mother with a baby, a child and a man— next to a barrier and cones in front of homes damaged by the earthquake and the tsunami.

Stay informed.

Respect restricted areas.

Protect your health.

Avoid contaminated water and damaged structures.

Help in an organized way.

And remember:

The emergency does not end until the competent authorities indicate that the threat has finished and conditions allow a safe recovery to begin.

3.21

Minors after a tsunami

After a tsunami, children and adolescents need special protection.

The danger is not limited to the possibility of new waves. The post-disaster environment can contain contaminated water, mud, debris, glass, metal, power lines, unstable structures and other risks that minors may not recognize.

At the same time, they may feel fear, distress, confusion, sleep disruptions or worry about family, friends, pets, their home or their school.

A mother crouches to talk with her son, sitting on a bench next to a towel and a bottle of water, in front of a flooded street with a barrier, cones and a fallen power pole next to damaged homes.

For that reason, the priorities are:

Keep them out of dangerous areas;

guarantee adequate supervision;

provide safe water and food;

maintain appropriate hygiene conditions;

facilitate family reunification;

give them understandable information;
listen to their worries;

reduce unnecessary exposure to distressing images and conversations;

try, as much as possible, to reestablish routines and a sense of safety.

3.22

Stay with minors in the safe zone

Do not let children go back to the coast, home, school or any other evacuated area until the authorities have authorized the return.

A man talks crouching with a boy sitting on a bench next to a mother with a baby, in front of a barrier and cones next to a fallen power pole and damaged homes.

Explain to them simply why they have to wait.

You can use phrases such as:

Do not let curiosity lead them near:

The beach;
rivers or canals;

Flooded areas;
damaged buildings;

displaced vehicles;
machinery;

rescue areas;
debris.

Children must not move around an area affected by a tsunami on their own.

3.23

Supervision in shelters and meeting points

Shelters and meeting points can bring many people together and present an unfamiliar environment for minors.

Keep appropriate supervision, especially of young children.

An elderly man with a cane and dark glasses, a boy, a mother with a baby, a man and a female official with a clipboard talk inside a community shelter with mats and stacked boxes.

Make sure that they:

Know who the responsible adult is;

stay with their family or group;

do not leave the shelter alone;

do not enter restricted areas;

do not handle emergency equipment;

do not go near vehicles or machinery;

do not pick up objects found among the debris.

If there are areas specifically set aside for children, use them in accordance with the shelter’s rules.

3.24

Do not let children play in the water, mud or debris

A mother and a female official hold a boy who tries to approach a flooded, mud-covered street, next to a barrier and cones in front of damaged homes.

Minors:

Must not play in floodwater;

must not walk barefoot through affected areas;

must not play on piles of debris;

must not touch cables, containers, tools or unfamiliar objects;

must not enter damaged buildings;

must not take part in dangerous cleanup tasks.

An area covered in mud can look passable and conceal glass, metal, wells, drops in level or other hazards.

3.25

Water and food for minors

Children must consume water considered safe by the health authorities.

A female official with a clipboard watches while a mother hands a bottle of water to her son sitting on a bench, next to a table with boxes, jerrycans and a water dispenser in a shelter with a cracked wall and damaged homes visible in the background.

Extra attention must be paid to the water used for minors:

Drinking;
preparing food;

preparing infant formula;
brushing teeth;

washing utensils used for feeding.

Do not give minors food that has been contaminated by floodwater.

Follow the instructions of the health authorities on the consumption and storage of food.

3.26

Hygiene for minors

A boy washes his hands in a basin next to a water dispenser on a table, while a woman holds a towel, a cat watches and an elderly woman sits in the background, with damaged homes visible through the window.

Help children maintain adequate hygiene, especially:

Before eating;
after using the restroom;

after touching animals;
after handling waste;

after any accidental contact with mud or floodwater.

Use safe water and soap when they are available.

If a child has a wound, even if it seems minor, keep it from coming into contact with floodwater.

Contaminated wounds should be properly cleaned and monitored.

Seek medical attention when needed, especially for deep wounds, bites, fever, increasing pain, swelling, redness or other signs of infection.

3.27

Emotional support after the disaster

A mother crouches hugging her son inside a home, with windows and an open door showing houses destroyed by the tsunami.

They may:

Cry;
appear fearful;
stay unusually quiet;

become easily irritable;
cling more to adults;
have difficulty sleeping;
ask repeatedly what happened;

worry about family members or pets;
temporarily show typical behavior of younger children.

Not all children will react the same way.

The adult should be present, listen, and give age-appropriate explanations.

3.28

Do not promise what you cannot guarantee

A seated man talks with a boy next to a portable radio on a low table, while a mother with a baby watches them, with homes destroyed by the tsunami visible through a window and an open door.

Children need emotional reassurance, but it must be given without conveying false information.

You can say:

3.29

Reduce overexposure to the disaster

A boy writes in a notebook next to his mother at a table, while a man talks with a female official at the door, with a switched-off television and destroyed homes visible in the background.

Images of injured or dead people;
repetitive videos of the tsunami;

especially disturbing photographs;
graphic conversations about deaths;

rumors;
alarming arguments;
constantly repeated news.

Explain what happened using truthful, simple information appropriate for their age.

Adults should also bear in mind that children hear conversations even when they appear to be playing or doing something else.

3.30

Restore routines when possible

A boy reads next to an elderly woman with a cane while a mother holding her baby watches them, in a shelter with blankets and stacked boxes.

When circumstances allow it, try to maintain:

Reasonable mealtimes;
rest periods;

hygiene;
quiet activities;

play;
reading;
contact with familiar people.

If the child has a toy, book, blanket or comfort object that was packed in the emergency backpack in advance and is available, it can be used.

3.31

When to seek additional help for a minor

Fear, sadness and certain temporary emotional changes are to be expected after a disaster.

A boy sits alone on a bench while two women, one of them an official, talk at a short distance in a shelter.

Extra attention should be paid if the child:

Remains extremely distressed;
shows significant and persistent changes in behavior;
cannot sleep for a prolonged period;
stops eating or drinking adequately;

shows persistent physical symptoms related to stress;
cannot separate from the responsible adult at any time;
shows behavior that could put them in danger;
expresses intense hopelessness or thoughts of harming themselves.

However, seek professional guidance when the reactions are intense, persist, worsen or interfere significantly with the child’s daily life.

Early attention can help reduce later consequences.

3.32

Family reunification

After an evacuation, reunification must be carried out in an organized way.

A woman with a folder accompanies a boy sitting on a bench, while a man approaches a female official sitting at a desk with boxes around.

If a minor was evacuated by a school, educational center, club, temple or other institution:

Follow the established reunification procedure;

go to the location specified by the institution or the authorities;

identify yourself according to the corresponding process;

respect the system used to release minors to their authorized guardians;

do not enter restricted areas on your own to look for them.

Minors must not be released to unauthorized people simply because they claim to know them.

Institutions must keep minors under supervision until reunification is completed in accordance with the established process.

3.33

If a minor is missing

If after the evacuation you cannot locate a minor:

Report it immediately to the authorities or those in charge of the shelter;
give precise information about the minor;
state where they were last seen;

say who they were with;
provide a recent photograph if one is available;
follow the official search and reunification procedures.

Do not leave a safe zone to go back on your own into an affected or evacuated area.

3.34

Pets after a tsunami

Pets can also be injured, disoriented, contaminated or extremely stressed after a tsunami.

A man holds the leash of a golden retriever dog next to a table where a cat rests inside a carrier, in a space with boxes.

Their main needs will be to:

Stay out of dangerous areas;

have safe water;

receive uncontaminated food;

remain under control.

to be examined for possible injuries;

to avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater;

to reduce situations that could cause them to bolt, bite or fight.

3.35

Do not go back into a danger zone to look for a pet

A closed metal gate with a padlock and hazard tape blocks access to a flooded yard with floating debris.

A missing pet is a distressing situation, but a search carried out during an active threat can create new casualties.

A man talks with a female official at a desk to report a missing pet.

3.36

Keep pets under control

After a disaster, even normally calm animals can behave differently because of:

fear;
pain;
noise;
the presence of unfamiliar people;

other animals;
sirens;
machinery;
changes in the environment.

Keep:

Dogs on a leash or in a secure enclosure;

cats and other small animals in appropriate carriers when possible;

animals away from dangerous areas.

A disoriented animal can get lost, be injured, come into contact with hazardous substances or interfere with emergency operations.

3.37

Water for pets

Do not let animals drink:

Floodwater;
seawater;

pooled water;
water from sources whose quality is unknown.

Floodwater may contain:

wastewater,

microorganisms,

fuels,

chemical products

and other contaminants.

Swallowing salt water can also cause serious health problems.

If you suspect the animal drank a significant amount of salt water or contaminated water and shows symptoms, seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

3.38

Feeding pets

Use food that has been kept protected from the flooding and is in safe condition.

Discard animal food that is:

Wet from floodwater;

in damaged packinging;

contaminated by chemical products;

spoiled.

3.39

Check the animal for injuries

A seated woman calmly examines a tabby cat standing on a table.

Look for:

material stuck to the coat;
cuts, wounds, limping;
pain, bleeding, burns;
skin irritation, difficulty breathing;
injuries to the paw pads;
significant changes in behavior.

Pain and fear can cause a normally docile pet to bite or scratch.

If there is a significant injury or you suspect poisoning, seek veterinary assistance when it is available.

3.40

Contact with mud or contaminated water

If the pet has been through floodwater or mud, stop it from licking substances stuck to its paws or coat.

When conditions are safe:

Carefully remove the dirt;

use clean water to wash the contaminated areas where appropriate;

protect your hands if you are handling potentially contaminated material;

wash your own hands after tending to the animal.

Still life of household cleaning products —detergent, liquid soap, sprayers, sponge, cloth, napkins and a jerrycan with a toxic-substance symbol— next to yellow rubber gloves.

Do not use chemical products or household disinfectants on the animal that could be toxic.

If you suspect exposure to hazardous substances, seek veterinary guidance.

3.41

Pets in shelters and meeting points

Not all shelters intended for the general population will necessarily be able to house pets, so local instructions about facilities set up for animals must be followed.

Where pets are allowed:

Keep them under control;

stop them from blocking paths;

keep them away from food preparation areas;

reduce unnecessary contact with other animals;

pick up their waste;

respect people who may have allergies, a fear of animals or other needs.

3.42

Animal waste

A man sweeps waste with a broom next to a bin, near a window with plants.

Follow the system established for the location.

Proper waste management helps maintain sanitary conditions in the shelter.

3.43

Pet stress and behavior

Animals may:

tremble;
vocalize;
become restless;
try to escape;

hide;
show defensive aggression;
temporarily lose their appetite;
become more dependent on their caregivers.

Maintain calm and predictable behavior as much as possible.

Familiar items that are available may be used, such as a blanket or the pet’s usual carrier, provided they are safe and clean.

Avoid allowing unfamiliar people from handling a visibly frightened animal unnecessarily.

Do not punish a reaction caused by fear.

3.44

Service animals

Service animals perform functions that are different from those of pets and should remain, whenever possible, with the person they assist.

After a tsunami:

Make sure they have safe water;

check them for injuries;

prevent contact with contaminated water and debris;

allow them to continue performing their function when it is safe;

respect the bond between the animal and the person.

Do not separate a person from their service animal if it’s not necessary.

If the animal is injured or temporarily unable to perform its function, communicate the need for alternative assistance to those in charge of the shelter or the appropriate services.

3.45

Fundamental principle for minors and pets

A family —a mother with a baby in a carrier, a child, a father with a service dog and a cat in a carrier— talks with an emergency official at a help point, next to homes destroyed by the tsunami.

After a tsunami, curiosity, the desire to return, and the need to be reunited with people, animals, or belongings must never lead to renewed exposure to danger.

Adults are responsible for keeping minors protected and supervised.
Pets must remain under control and outside contaminated or unsafe zones.
Family reunification and the search for animals must be carried out through organized procedures.

Safety must be ensured first.

Recovery begins afterward.

3.46

People with disabilities and people who need support

Four people walk together among tsunami debris: a blind man with a cane, a woman accompanying him, a woman in a wheelchair and a man, next to a cracked home and a fallen power pole.

After a tsunami, normal accessibility conditions may have changed considerably.

Streets, ramps, elevators, transportation systems, signage, power supply, communication networks, and healthcare facilities may be damaged or out of service.

Therefore, each person’s needs must be assessed individually.

A person may need support related to:

mobility;
orientation;
vision;
hearing;
communication;
understanding;
eating;
medication;

medical equipment;
power supply;
transportation;
personal assistance;
service animals;
sensory regulation;
other functional needs.

Whenever possible, ask the person directly what they need and what is the best way to help them.

3.47

Stay in the safe zone

A woman in a wheelchair looks at a closed gate with yellow and black danger tape, next to a perimeter fence.

Do not go back to recover:

medications;
equipment;
wheelchairs;
electronic devices;
documents;
animals;
other belongings;

if doing so means entering a dangerous or restricted area again.

If an essential medication, device, or equipment was left in the affected area, communicate the need to those in charge of the shelter, healthcare services, or the appropriate authorities in order to seek a safe alternative.

3.48

Keep the support network active when necessary

A blind man talks at a table with an official, with a glass of water between them, next to a window overlooking homes destroyed by the tsunami.

The network can help with:

accompanying the person;
obtaining information;
managing supplies;
assisting with mobility;

keeping devices;
communicating with family members;
requesting assistance;
avoiding the overload of a single caregiver.

However, the support network must adapt to the circumstances after the disaster.

A blind man walks with a cane while a volunteer watches him, standing, in a room.

The person with a disability must retain, to the greatest extent possible, their autonomy and decision-making capacity.

3.49

Medications

If the person takes medications regularly:

Check which medications they still have;
make sure the containers have not been contaminated by floodwater;
keep them dry and properly stored;

keep the instructions, prescriptions or available information;
inform the health personnel;
avoid the risk of running out of an essential medication.

Do not use medications that have been directly exposed to contaminated water if there are doubts about their safety.

Do not change doses, stop treatments or substitute medications on your own, unless there is professional guidance

If an essential medication was lost, report it as soon as possible to healthcare personnel or to those in charge of the shelter.

3.50

Medical equipment and assistive devices

A volunteer checks an oxygen concentrator on a table next to a woman in a wheelchair, in front of a window with destroyed homes and an open door.

Some people depend on:

oxygen concentrators;
respiratory equipment;
pumps;
communication devices;
hearing aids;
prostheses;
electric wheelchairs;
feeding equipment;
other medical or assistive devices.

After the tsunami, check whether the equipment:

is dry;
has visible damage;
is working properly;
has sufficient battery power;
requires electricity;
needs supplies or replacement parts.

A wet portable generator, stained by moisture, with its cable, on a table next to a wall outlet.

Do not connect equipment that has been wet or may be damaged to the electrical grid until it has been determined that it is safe to do so.

Immediately inform healthcare personnel or those in charge of the shelter when a device is essential to the person’s health or safety and there is a risk that its operation may be interrupted.

3.51

Electricity needs

Power outages may especially affect people who depend on medical equipment or mobility and communication devices.

A volunteer records information next to a woman in a wheelchair with a connected medical device and a woman with a hearing aid, in front of an open door onto destroyed homes.

If a person needs electricity for an essential device:

Report this need upon entering the shelter;
indicate which device they use;
communicate how long it can operate on battery power;

use alternative power sources only in a safe manner;
prioritize charging essential devices.

A portable generator resting on the floor next to an interior door.

Portable generators must be used in accordance with safety rules and never indoors or in enclosed spaces, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

3.52

Wheelchairs, canes, walkers, prostheses, and other aids

Mobility devices are part of a person’s autonomy.

A walker and a cane resting next to a bed with a folded blanket.

Do not remove, move, or handle them unnecessarily without authorization.

If a device has been damaged:

report the need to the appropriate personnel;
seek a temporary alternative when available;

keep any salvageable parts and accessories;
avoid improvised repairs that could cause a fall or injury.

A bucket of water, a cloth and a brush on a wooden bench.

If a wheelchair or other device came in contact with contaminated water, it may require cleaning and, depending on the equipment, evaluation before it is used normally again.

3.53

Accessibility in shelters and meeting points

When entering a shelter, communicate any relevant functional needs.

It may be necessary to request:

an accessible route;
reasonable proximity to accessible restrooms;
enough space for a wheelchair;
a safe, obstacle-free surface;
access to electricity;

appropriate storage for medications;
assistance with eating;
a space with fewer stimuli;
alternative means of communication;
other accommodations.

A row of folding beds in a shelter next to danger tape and an accessible access sign with the international wheelchair symbol.

A woman in a wheelchair talks with a worker seated on a chair.

Whenever possible, the person should be consulted directly about which location and assistance are most appropriate.

3.54

Keep accessible routes clear

In shelters and meeting points:

A corridor with a ramp and handrail in a shelter; a wheelchair, suitcases and boxes block the way.

keep access to restrooms clear;
do not block accessible doors;
do not place boxes on ramps;

do not use accessible spaces as improvised storage areas;
do not leave luggage in pathways;
avoid loose cables and other obstacles on the floor.

A ramp with a handrail and open double doors, with a box blocking the way.

After a disaster, a seemingly small obstacle can completely prevent a person with reduced mobility from moving or cause a fall.

3.55

People with visual impairments

After a tsunami, a previously familiar environment may have changed completely.

There may be:

A damaged interior with fallen furniture, a door crossed with boards and a cracked floor with uneven levels and debris.

new obstacles;
closed routes;

destroyed signage;
uneven surfaces;

displaced furniture;
debris.

If a person requests assistance:

Identify yourself;
ask how they would like to be guided;
offer your arm when that is their preferred method;

describe relevant obstacles;
announce steps and changes in elevation;
clearly indicate changes in direction;
explain important changes in the surroundings.

Do not use ambiguous expressions such as “over there” or “careful.”

Use specific instructions:

“There is a step down.”

“The door is on your right.”

“There are boxes ahead; we are going to go around them on the left.”

Do not force the person to stay permanently holding onto a guide’s arm. Offer assistance and respect the form of orientation the person themselves prefers.

3.56

Deaf people or people with hearing impairments

Information after a tsunami must also be provided through visual and written means.

Do not rely exclusively on:

loudspeakers, sirens;
verbal announcements;
radio.

When possible, use:

written messages;
signs;
screens;
text messages;
apps;
pictograms;
sign language when available;
other appropriate systems.

Make sure the person has access to essential updates about:

new alerts;
evacuations;
shelter changes;

supply distribution;
medical care;
authorization to return.

3.57

People with communication needs

Some people may use:

communication boards;
electronic devices;
pictograms;

writing;
gestures;
augmentative or alternative communication systems.

Do not confuse difficulty speaking with difficulty understanding or making decisions.

Give enough time to respond when circumstances allow.

A communication board with pictograms, a tablet with green icons and a sheet of paper with a pencil on a table.

Keep their communication devices available and charged whenever possible.

Speak directly to the person, not exclusively to the person accompanying them.

3.58

People with intellectual, cognitive, or developmental disabilities, and neurodivergent people

A worker talks, crouching, with a child holding a ball next to a divider screen, while a woman watches seated in a shelter with mats.

Shelters may have:

Intense noise;
constant lighting;
crowds;

unfamiliar smells;
frequent physical contact;
disruption of routines;
lack of privacy.

These conditions may cause distress or sensory overload in some people.

When possible:

provide a quieter space;
reduce unnecessary stimuli;
maintain familiar routines;
use brief instructions;

explain changes in advance;
allow the use of familiar sensory regulation items;
avoid unexpected physical contact.

Headphones, hearing protectors and sensory regulation items (a ball, a cube and a box) on a table.

If the person uses headphones, hearing protection, sensory regulation items, or other resources, and these are available, allow their use when it is safe.

Do not assume that all autistic people or people with intellectual disabilities need isolation. Assistance must be individualized.

3.59

People with disabilities and contaminated water

Unnecessary contact with floodwater and mud should be avoided for all people.

A puddle of contaminated water indoors, delimited by a metal safety fence next to a door.

Pay special attention when a person:

Has open wounds;
uses devices that remain in prolonged contact with the skin;
has difficulty detecting an injury;
cannot inspect certain parts of their body;
needs assistance with hygiene.

If contact with contaminated water occurs:

perform the corresponding hygiene measures using safe water;
check for possible wounds;
properly clean any devices that were exposed;
seek healthcare services when necessary.

3.60

Service animals

Service animals must remain with the person they assist whenever possible.

A blind man walks with his guide dog, wearing a harness, next to a cane, in front of a window.

Ensure:

Safe water;
appropriate food;

a place for them to relieve themselves;
proper physical control;
assessment for possible injuries.

Water and food bowls, a bed and a leash for a service animal.

Do not separate a person from their service animal simply because other pets are not admitted in a certain area without first consulting the applicable rules and seeking an appropriate solution.

If the animal is injured or can no longer perform its function, immediately communicate that the person may need alternative assistance.

3.61

Older adults and people with medical needs

Some older adults or people with medical needs may require:

Medication;
specific food;
assistance with mobility;

medical devices;
healthcare services;
help understanding information;
support communicating with family members.

A pill organizer, a bowl with a spoon, a blood pressure monitor and a walker next to a sign with a green medical cross.

Do not assume someone is incapable simply because of their age.

An older woman talks with a seated worker, next to a small table with a pill organizer and a glass of water.

Pay attention to signs of:

Dehydration;
exhaustion;
confusion;

pain;
difficulty breathing;
worsening of a pre-existing condition.

3.62

Responsibility of institutions after the tsunami

An institutional worker and a man review a records folder on a folding table on a waterfront promenade, with three people seated with their backs turned looking at the town and hills in the background.

An institutional worker talks with a woman in a wheelchair and a blind man with a cane and guide dog, on a promenade overlooking the town and hills.

A group of five people talking and greeting each other on a seaside promenade, including a woman in a wheelchair, an institutional worker with a folder and a young man with a backpack.

The institutional priorities are to:

Protect evacuated people;
verify who reached the safe point;
identify missing persons;

detect injured people or people who need assistance;
maintain communication with the authorities;
prevent premature returns;

facilitate reunification;
provide verified information;
collaborate with the official response.

3.63

Take a headcount in the safe zone

When conditions allow, each person in charge of a group must account for the people under their supervision.

The headcount must be done in the safe zone, not delaying the evacuation inside the building or threatened area.

An institutional worker with a folder talks with a woman in a wheelchair and a man with a backpack, on a path next to the damaged town.

A man reviews a folder on a table with two logbooks and a form, in front of a town devastated by flooding.

Use:

attendance lists;
registration records;

rosters;
information from group leaders;
other available means.

A woman with a folder reads a document next to another woman holding a portable radio, in front of a devastated coastal town.

Identify:

people present;
injured people;
people who need assistance;
people whose whereabouts are unknown.

3.64

Do not send people to look for missing persons

If a person is missing:

gather information about where they were last seen;
determine who they were with;

record their information;
communicate the information to the authorities or responsible teams.

An institutional worker with a folder talks with a woman and a man on a promenade, in front of a devastated coastal town with an overturned car in the water.

Do not organize improvised groups to return to the affected area while danger or access restrictions remain;

Do not allow family members, volunteers, or members of the institution to return individually.

Two scenes: a man with his hand raised stops a group of three people —one with a shovel— trying to return to the flooded area; a woman with a folder stops with her hand a man trying to return alone, on the same promenade.

Searching in flooded areas, damaged buildings, or collapsed structures requires coordination and, in many circumstances, specialized training.

A two-story house with a collapsed roof and debris scattered in stagnant water, next to fallen power poles.

3.65

Care for injured people

Quickly identify those who need care.

Provide first aid within the abilities of the trained people who are present.

An institutional worker with a folder watches while a woman bandages the arm of a seated man, in front of a devastated coast with palm trees.

Request professional assistance for:

major bleeding;
difficulty breathing;
loss of consciousness;
serious injuries;

burns;
fractures;
deep wounds;
other medical emergencies.

A man points forward while an institutional worker with a radio talks with him, next to an injured man with a bandaged arm sitting on a wall, in front of debris and a flooded town.

Do not perform procedures that you are not qualified to do.

Keep access clear for emergency services.

3.66

Organization of the meeting point

When an institution must remain at a safe point for some time, organize the space to reduce risks.

When conditions allow, establish areas for:

people who require first aid;
minors;
people who need additional assistance;

water distribution;
information and registration;
reunification.

At a meeting point in front of a devastated town, an institutional worker receives a diverse group: a child sitting on a blanket, a mother with a baby, a woman in a wheelchair and a man with a cane for blind people, next to a table with supplies.

Keep:

Pathways clear;
access points unobstructed;

supplies organized;
waste controlled;
information centralized.

An institutional worker writes at a table while a man organizes boxes, blankets and jerrycans next to trash bins, in front of a devastated town.

Do not turn the meeting point into a disorganized space where it becomes impossible to determine who is present or who needs help.

Four people standing among open boxes, clothes, trash and bottles scattered on the ground, in front of a flooded town.

3.67

Institutional information

When possible, designate one person responsible for centralizing information.

An institutional worker at a table receives a paper from a man, while a woman with a folder watches, in front of a devastated town with an overturned car in the water.

The information must clearly indicate what people should do.

An institutional worker with a folder points forward in front of a mother with a child and a baby in her arms, and a woman in a wheelchair, with a devastated town in the background.

3.68

Reunification in institutions

When minors or dependent people have been evacuated under institutional responsibility, apply the previously established reunification procedure.

An institutional worker writes at a registration table while a child sitting on a bench and a standing woman wait, in front of a devastated town.

Before releasing a minor:

verify the adult’s identity;
confirm that they are authorized;

record the release when the institutional system allows for it.

A woman and a child watch while an institutional worker at a registration table hands a document to another woman, in front of a devastated town.

Do not allow the chaos after the disaster to eliminate basic protection controls.

If a family member has not yet arrived, keep the minor under supervision and follow the corresponding procedure.

3.69

Do not authorize return on your own

An institution must not independently declare that an evacuated area is safe simply because:

the water receded;
no new waves are observed;
other people began to return;
the building appears intact;
someone informally reported that the emergency was over.

A two-story dwelling that looks intact next to the sea, with a collapsed wall, debris and a fallen power pole with loose wires.

Wait for authorization from the relevant authorities.

An older blind man with a cane, an older woman and a man sitting on a bench talk with an institutional worker, next to a barrier and cones in front of a devastated town.

The decision to return must be based on official information, not on personal impressions.

An institutional worker with a radio, a woman with a folder and a mother with a child and a baby in her arms look at a devastated town with an overturned car in the water.

3.70

Inspection of the institutional building

Once general return to the area has been authorized, this does not automatically mean that each individual building is safe to occupy.

Before resuming activities, the condition of the facilities must be assessed according to the extent of the damage.

A two-story institutional building with a large crack on its facade, a broken window and debris scattered in puddles of water.

Pay attention to:

Detail of a severely damaged institutional facade: cracks, a jammed door, a collapsed staircase, a wet electrical panel, an overturned gas cylinder, broken glass and contaminated water on the floor.

major cracks;
damaged walls or ceilings;
structural irregularities;
erosion around foundations;

damage to stairways;
sinking;
doors that have become stuck due to structural irregularities;
unstable heavy objects;

wet electrical systems;
gas leaks;
broken glass;
damage caused by the impact of debris;
contaminated water.

If there are signs of structural damage, do not allow entry until the appropriate assessment determines that it can be done safely.

Two women talk in front of a cracked wall with a damaged door, with flooded homes in the background.

3.71

Do not resume activities prematurely

The fact that an institution may be able to re-enter its facilities does not necessarily mean that it is ready to resume its usual activities.

Interior of an institutional room with stacked chairs and folding tables, and an institutional worker standing next to an open door toward a street damaged by the tsunami.

A man checks an electrical panel next to a gas cylinder, a sink with running water, a restroom with a mop and bucket, and an institutional worker with a folder next to an emergency exit with a ramp.

Before reopening, the following must be considered:

structural safety;
electricity;
gas;
availability of safe water;
sewage and waste-disposal systems;
working restrooms;

accessibility;
emergency exits;
communication systems;
hygienic conditions;
risks arising from moisture or contamination;
ability to respond to a new emergency.

3.72

Cleaning the facilities

Cleaning tasks must be organized according to the existing risks.

A female worker points to an area while a man with a shovel cleans mud, next to a wheelbarrow and a rake.

A man mops the wet floor while a worker with a folder watches next to a table with bottles; the windows show the destroyed area outside.

3.73

Document damage when it is safe

When the authorities allow access and doing so does not pose a danger, the institution may document:

In a damaged institutional interior, a woman photographs an overturned filing cabinet and wet boxes while a man takes notes on a clipboard.

damaged equipment;
lost supplies;

structural damage;
compromised systems;

damaged documentation;
furnishings.

Use photographs, videos, inventories, or other records when necessary for insurance, assistance, repairs, or institutional administration.

A man and a woman review documents and a tablet on a table, in an interior with mud on the floor.

Never enter an unsafe area solely to take photographs or obtain documentation.

A man stops with his hand another man trying to photograph a cracked door, with debris and water on the floor.

3.74

Protect institutional information and documentation

If institutional records have sustained water or physical damage:

preserve what can be recovered when it can be done safely;
protect personal and confidential information;

do not leave sensitive documents in public spaces;
use the backup copies prepared during the prevention phase when available.

A woman organizes documents on a table while a man stores a box in a safe, next to muddy filing cabinets.

Collapsed interior with fallen beams, an overturned filing cabinet with folders and debris on the floor.

Protecting information is important, but no document justifies entering a dangerous structure.

3.75

Coordination with the authorities

Private institutions and community organizations must collaborate with the authorities and agencies in charge of the emergency response.

A man with a clipboard and a female worker with a radio talk next to a flooded street, with an overturned car and destroyed homes in the background.

A man and two female workers talk next to a wall, with damaged houses and fallen poles in the background.

When appropriate:

communicate the approximate number of people under your supervision;
report injured persons;
report missing persons;

communicate special needs;
follow instructions regarding shelters and evacuations;
respect movement restrictions;
avoid duplicating or interfering with emergency operations.

A female worker assists a woman in a wheelchair at a table, with another worker next to boxes of supplies.

3.76

Donations and material aid

After a disaster, a large volume of donations may be generated quickly.

A man carries a box and a female worker points to a pile of donations —boxes, water bottles, bags— next to a devastated coast.

A man hands over a box while a female worker with a clipboard points and another woman checks water bottles under a makeshift shelter.

Before collecting or distributing goods:

determine which items are truly necessary;
coordinate with the responsible organizations;
organize receipt and storage;
avoid accumulating products that have not been requested;
check the safety of food, water, and medications.

Do not distribute food, medications, or health products with questionable origins or storage conditions.

Above, a broken box with food and medications spilled in the mud. Below, a female worker hands a box to a woman holding a child by the hand.

Aid must respond to real needs and must not become an additional logistical difficulty.

3.77

Volunteers

A woman and a man talk while a female worker completes a log at a table, with ruins and water in the background.

Two female workers talk while a man lifts a box next to an institutional building.

Assign functions according to:

training;
experience;
physical condition;
existing risks.

Do not allow unprepared volunteers to perform:

technical search and rescue;
entry into unstable structures;
electrical work;
gas handling;
intervention involving hazardous substances;
medical procedures for which they are not trained.

Good intentions do not eliminate risks.

3.78

Care for those who help

Institutional leaders, volunteers, caregivers, and members of support teams may also experience:

exhaustion;
stress;
fear;
sadness;
irritability;
difficulty concentrating.

An exhausted man sits holding his gloves, with a devastated area in the background and a gas cylinder next to him.

Organize breaks when circumstances allow.

Avoid allowing one person to take on all care, coordination, or assistance tasks for prolonged periods.

A female worker hands a document to a man on a waterfront promenade, with the devastated coast in the background.

3.79

Record of decisions and needs

A female worker writes in a notebook sitting at a table while another woman, standing with a folder, watches; devastated area in the background.

When the immediate emergency has decreased and conditions allow, record:

people assisted;
pending needs;
available supplies;
identified damage;
decisions made;
official communications received;
actions requiring follow-up.

A woman writes in a notebook on a table, with the devastated coast in the background.

This record will facilitate the continuity of the institutional response and later recovery.

Cluttered interior with water jugs, folders, boxes and papers scattered on the floor.

However, do not allow administrative tasks to interfere with immediate safety and assistance needs.

3.80

Institutional principle for recovery

Three people talk —a female worker, a woman and a man with a backpack— in a devastated area.

After a tsunami, an institution must act according to a clear sequence:

First, protect people.

Then, verify who is present and who needs help.

Next, coordinate assistance and reunification.

Only when the authorities allow it, assess the facilities and the damage.

Finally, begin an organized and safe recovery.

Institutional office with mud: a filing cabinet, a desk with a box, a shelf with boxes and an overturned chair, with a window toward the flooded area. — Buildings, equipment, documents, and material goods may be important for institutional continuity.

None of them takes priority over the life and safety of people.

Downloads

PDF Brochure: Tsunamis Brochure: Pets Brochure: Disabilities Tsunami Stickers

© 2026 by Centro del Reino de Paz y Justicia is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0.

Tsunamis — Module 2 · Phase 3: After

Learning objective

Phase 3: After — Staying safe, recovering, and returning without risk

Do not return until the authorities say it is safe

Do not use a fixed height or distance as the only safety criterion

Stay informed

Use communications responsibly

Be ready for aftershocks

Do not enter affected areas immediately

Avoid floodwater and mud

Power lines, installations and electrocution

Gas, fuels and fire risk

Do not enter damaged buildings without authorization

Roads, bridges and vehicles

Water for human consumption

Food after the flooding

Hand hygiene

Wounds and injuries

First aid and rescue

Volunteering and community help

Carbon monoxide: an invisible danger

Cleaning up can also be dangerous

Fundamental principle of this phase

Minors after a tsunami

Stay with minors in the safe zone

Supervision in shelters and meeting points

Do not let children play in the water, mud or debris

Water and food for minors

Hygiene for minors

Emotional support after the disaster

Do not promise what you cannot guarantee

Reduce overexposure to the disaster

Restore routines when possible

When to seek additional help for a minor

Family reunification

If a minor is missing

Pets after a tsunami

Do not go back into a danger zone to look for a pet

Keep pets under control

Water for pets

Feeding pets

Check the animal for injuries

Contact with mud or contaminated water

Pets in shelters and meeting points

Animal waste

Pet stress and behavior

Service animals

Fundamental principle for minors and pets

People with disabilities and people who need support

Stay in the safe zone

Keep the support network active when necessary

Medications

Medical equipment and assistive devices

Electricity needs

Wheelchairs, canes, walkers, prostheses, and other aids

Accessibility in shelters and meeting points

Keep accessible routes clear

People with visual impairments

Deaf people or people with hearing impairments

People with communication needs

People with intellectual, cognitive, or developmental disabilities, and neurodivergent people

People with disabilities and contaminated water

Service animals

Older adults and people with medical needs

Responsibility of institutions after the tsunami

Take a headcount in the safe zone

Do not send people to look for missing persons

Care for injured people

Organization of the meeting point

Institutional information

Reunification in institutions

Do not authorize return on your own

Inspection of the institutional building

Do not resume activities prematurely

Cleaning the facilities

Document damage when it is safe

Protect institutional information and documentation

Coordination with the authorities

Donations and material aid

Volunteers