Tough new rules on evacuation

Kenya Red Cross on Friday released a list of conditions to be met in any evacuation. This move comes in the wake of increased flooding in various parts of the country.

First is the establishment of evacuation centres in consultation with the affected communities. Accordingly, the organisation’s head of disaster preparedness and response, Mr Elijah Muli, said that failure to consult the concerned community might lead to a conflict of interest, which could worsen the situation. “This is especially if certain community interests, are not considered,” Mr Muli said.

Besides, the official pointed out, the call-out system must be understood and the surveillance system manned by the community itself.

Village register

“Evacuation routes must be marked from all directions of the vulnerable community right up to the evacuation centre,” he added.

There should also be a village register with the names of all residents, he said, adding that the precaution is key to monitoring and taking care of vulnerable residents — women, children, the elderly and the disabled.

Other conditions are the setting up of assembly sites, which must be easily identified, and that moving to the safer grounds be under the guidance of trained unit leaders.

Registration officers at the evacuation sites must be contacted immediately the affected people arrive, and coordination with support agents, such as the Kenya Red Cross Society and the government, be ensured by committee leaders during the evacuation.