PNG Disaster Awareness Action Guide -or- What to do in the event of a major natural disaster.

For | Violent Earthquakes  | Volcanic Eruptions  | Tsunami Warning Signs  | Threatening Storm Signs  | Rising Flood Waters  | Landslides  | What to Pack for Evacuation  | Provincial Government Disaster Contact Information |

Turn on your radios and TV for information,advice and

IN A VIOLENT EARTHQUAKE

While inside the building

• Stay indoors
• Keep calm and not panic
• Let doors open to avoid being jammed
• Keep away from windows and heavy furniture
• Take cover in a doorway or under strong table

While outside the building

• Not to run through or near Weak Buildings or trees or Power Poles
• Once in the open areas, stay there until shaking stops
• If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits

When Shaking [from the earthquake] Stops

• Turn heaters off, put fires out
• If the building is seriously damaged, turn off water,electricity supply,gas and heating main
• Treat minor injuries
• Get in touch with neighbours-They might need help
• When help is needed, go to your closest Government authorities or Emergency Office
• Keep alert-Remember after Shocks may happen

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IN AN VOLCANO ERUPTION

• Stay indoors
• Close doors and windows
• Save some water

If you have to leave your home

• Wear substantial clothing Over your head and body
• Breath through a handkerchief or wet cloth
• Carry a tourch for lighting

see also

• The 1994 Rabaul volcanic eruption: human sector impacts on the Tolai displaced communities [article in www.pngbuai.com] By: Caspar G. To Waninara , Melanesian Research Institute, Goroka
• Volcano Map - Papua New Guinea www.igr.gov.pg/vmap.html

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WHEN TSUNAMI WARNING SIGNS ARE NOTICED

1. A very strong earthquake
2. An unusual drop level of sea
3. A roaring noise

• Don't panic, alert others with conch shell, Garamut drum or church bell
• Move to higher ground or 500 meters to one kilometres away from the beach. Don't wait for official or others to tell you
• Don't go looking for shells or fish if the sea level suddenly drops low and become shallow
• Don't try to go to the beach to watch tsunami
• Remain on higher ground and listen to Authorities or radios to advise "All IS CLEAR" before returning to the coastal area.
• Others may need your assistance, give them your help and fullest co-operation.

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WHEN A BAD STORM THREATENS

• Chop down dead or threatening trees
• Fix loose boards and roofing iron
• Put rubbish bins where they cannot be blown about
• Put strips of tapes across large picture windows
• Place support timber or wood tied with ropes on weak structures
• Avoid sailing out to seas when you notice bad weather or hear strong wind warnings

During The Storm

• Stay in doors
• Shelter in the strongest part of the house or safe building in the community
• Be aware of flying objects such as roofing irons
• If you are at sea put on your life jackets and seek shelter at nearest coast or island

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LANDSLIDES AWARENESS

• Landslides may occur on weak structured steep mountain resulting from continuous rain or from a very strong earthquake
• Avoid making gardens on the slope or at the foot of the mountain
• Avoid building your homes at the foot of the Mountains

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IN A RISING FLOOD

• Those at low land or near river banks to leave your location to safe and higher ground
• When flood water get close to your house, switch off the electricity,move valuable possessions, clothing, food and water to safe places
• Put weedkillers, flysprays and other Chemicals where they cannot mix with flood waters
• Don't go walking or driving or paddling through flood areas

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IN AN EMERGENCY YOU MAY BE FORCED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME-IF THERE IS TIME, TAKE

• Extra clothing and towels
• Family documents like birth and merriage certificates and insurance policies
• Essential medicines, toilet items and things your baby needs
• Battery radio and torch
• Blankets and some food, If possible

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NATIONAL & PROVINCIAL DISASTER & EMERGENCY CONTACTS

PNGBUAI project information manager:
Dr. John Evans

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See Also - Other disaster planning Sites

• Disaster Preparedness Planner for libraries and information-records-centers consultant Guy Robertson at ServiceMatrix.com
• Disaster Planning For Libraries And Archives: Understanding The Essential Issues article by Jan Lyall, Director National Preservation Office, National Library of Australia
  [Reproduction of: Lyall, Jan, (1995). 'Disaster planning for libraries and archives: Understanding the essential issues', Proceedings of the Pan-African conference on the preservation and conservation of library and archival materials, Nairobi, Kenya: 21-25 June 1993, IFLA, ISBN 90-70916-51-7, p103-112. (reproduced with the author's permission). N.B. extensive Bibliography. ] Provenance.CA