The editorial “Build better more: Evacuation centers” (7/29/24), highlights the importance of having permanent evacuation centers in all towns and cities to provide immediate and temporary accommodation for evacuees during calamities. These are essential for those displaced from their homes due to disasters, crisis, and other emergency events such as fires or disease outbreaks.
One important reason for having permanent evacuation centers is to avoid using public spaces like classrooms during emergencies. Schools are often used as temporary evacuation centers, but this can lead to problems. The classrooms used could end up vandalized, damaged, or left dirty by evacuees, which can be frustrating for teachers and students when they come back to school.
Establishing evacuation centers in every town and city can help address this problem by offering a specific location for people to go to during emergencies. These centers should have the essential amenities and supplies needed to support a large number of individuals, guaranteeing that everyone has a protected place to stay in times of crisis.
Permanent evacuation centers can also function as central points for disaster preparedness and response activities. Having such centers enables improved coordination and communication among local authorities, emergency personnel, and residents, that can simplify evacuation procedures and guarantee that everyone can evacuate in a safe and effective manner.
Having a fully equipped and permanent evacuation center can also help local authorities convince people to quickly leave their endangered homes when the need arises, and to stay put in designated evacuation centers while the emergency remains. The reluctance of many individuals to leave their homes and belongings behind during disasters can lead to dangerous situations where individuals are trapped in their homes, with rescuers also putting themselves at risk to get them.
In addition to convincing evacuees to stay in evacuation centers, it is also important for local government units (LGUs) to provide them the necessary provisions and resources during their stay. This includes access to food, clean water, medical care, and other essential supplies. By providing such provisions, local authorities can help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty that evacuees usually experience during their stay in the center.
Aside from ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities, permanent evacuation centers can help prevent the inappropriate use of public spaces and enhance the local authorities’ disaster preparedness and response. It is important for LGUs to prioritize the establishment and upkeep of permanent evacuation centers to effectively safeguard their residents in times of crisis.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com