What matters during disasters?

What problems do residents face when a disaster strikes?

The cluster approach offers one way to think about the question. During an earthquake, the main areas of need include protection, food security, communications, early recovery, education, water and sanitation, logistics, nutrition, shelter, temporary housing management, and health. Different organizations work in each area. Professionals need to coordinate within each area and across areas. If you are involved in the response, clarify your role, the scope of your work, and what you will do.

Knowing about these areas before a disaster can help people respond more quickly and effectively from the outset. Work on prevention, mitigation and preparedness during ordinary times, as well as on response and recovery after a disaster. Building relationships across sectors in advance can make it easier to work together when a disaster occurs.