Planning evacuations with indigenous communities: Companion to evacuation planning

This guide should be considered alongside Evacuation Planning when developing an evacuation plan and will support culturally safe and effective evacuations of Indigenous people at risk from natural and other hazards. Evacuations are challenging for anyone who experiences them, however Indigenous people and communities have distinct needs and can face additional risks throughout these processes. 

The following are some of the principles have been developed to guide evacuation and should be considered and applied at each step in the evacuation planning and implementation process.

• Know and respect peoples’ rights
• Work within existing community governing institutions
• Provide a safe and welcome environment for Elders
• Foreground connection with Country