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Essentials

Create an emergency communication plan

During crisis, information is a life-supporting resource. Prepare several ways to receive trusted updates and a simple method for telling others where you are and what you need.

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From AidWorkers Humanitarian experience applied at homeEvidence base 4 named sourcesReviewed 25 July 2026

Why this matters

Official warning channels differ by location and hazard. Identify the agencies responsible for weather, public health, water, fire, policing and civil protection. Save their websites, alert services and radio frequencies before an incident.

Networks may be overloaded, damaged or deliberately manipulated. Use short messages, scheduled check-ins and an out-of-area contact. Separate confirmed facts from reports and record source, time and expiry for information that may change.

Before disruption

Prepare now

  • Enable official alerts and learn the sounds, languages and actions used in your area.
  • Write down household contacts, key services and one out-of-area contact.
  • Keep a battery or hand-powered radio if it is useful in your country, and test reception.
  • Agree a brief message format covering safety, location, needs and next contact time.
  • Download essential information and maps for offline use without relying on one device.

When it is happening

Protect the next decision

  1. Check the issuing authority, location, timestamp and expiry before acting on or forwarding an alert.
  2. Prefer text messages or low-data methods when voice networks are congested.
  3. Correct important misinformation calmly with the verified source, not a screenshot without context.
  4. Set times for updates so people can conserve power and avoid constant distressing news.

Plan for real people

Access, care and inclusion

  • Use captions, text, audio, visual signals and plain language according to people’s needs.
  • Plan how people without smartphones, data, literacy or the local language will receive updates.
  • Keep communication boards, hearing-device supplies and printed instructions accessible.
  • Choose a trusted person to help interpret official information without taking away the individual’s choices.

Mental readiness

Protect morale and clear thinking

  • Reliable contact reduces isolation, even when there is no new information.
  • Limit repeated exposure to graphic footage and speculation while maintaining scheduled official checks.
  • Record small confirmed improvements, such as a route opening or a neighbour found safe.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

  • Forwarding unverified warnings, casualty figures, locations or requests for money.
  • Sharing live locations or personal details more widely than safety requires.
  • Relying on one social platform, one phone or one person for every update.

Evidence and review

Sources behind this guide

Prepare Now uses authoritative government, humanitarian and public-health material as a starting point. Source advice can be specific to a country, hazard or date, so check the current version for your location.

Continue preparing

Understand your riskIdentify the hazards, service failures and personal circumstances most likely to affect your household.Household planAgree contacts, meeting places, roles, access needs and stay-or-leave decisions before stress rises.Mental readiness & moraleBuild calm decision habits, realistic routines, comfort rituals and routes to support before crisis.

Editorial status: first staging edition. Safety-critical instructions will receive specialist and jurisdiction review before public launch.