Why this matters
Plan reunification across home, school, childcare and separated households. Make sure children know their full name, trusted adults and what to do if phones fail, at a level appropriate to them.
Explain hazards honestly using short, concrete language. Children may show stress through sleep, play, behaviour, physical complaints or withdrawal. Familiar adults, routines and opportunities to play are protective.
Before disruption
Prepare now
- Confirm school and childcare emergency, closure and collection procedures.
- Create identification and contact information that protects privacy but can help reunification.
- Practise alarms, exits and one simple role without using frightening simulations.
- Pack suitable food, medicine, hygiene, clothing, learning and comfort items.
- Invite young people to identify risks, communication methods and supplies relevant to them.
When it is happening
Protect the next decision
- Keep children with known safe adults whenever possible and explain each next step.
- Limit exposure to graphic news, repeated adult speculation and responsibilities beyond their capacity.
- Maintain food, medicine, sleep, play and contact routines as conditions allow.
- Seek professional help for immediate danger, severe distress, inability to function or safeguarding concerns.
Plan for real people
Access, care and inclusion
- Adapt communication for developmental, sensory, learning and language needs.
- Plan infant feeding and care using qualified clinical advice, current safety evidence and a reliable safe-water plan.
- Include children in care, shared custody, temporary housing or without reliable documents.
- Respect adolescents’ privacy, autonomy, online safety and need for peer connection.
Mental readiness
Protect morale and clear thinking
- Keep a small activity pack with cards, pencils, a familiar story, puzzle or comfort toy.
- Offer choices between two safe options to restore a sense of control.
- Name feelings without forcing conversation, and make time for play and ordinary humour.
Common mistakes
What to avoid
- Telling children nothing and leaving them to interpret adult fear.
- Making a child responsible for an adult’s emotional stability or essential medical care.
- Sharing identifiable images or stories of distressed children without proper consent and safeguarding.
Evidence and review
Sources behind this guide
These sources are evidence to evaluate, not instructions imported unchanged into this guide. Each source is identified by institution type so you can consider its remit, funding, jurisdiction and limits. Check the original date and current version for your location.
- Make a PlanNew Zealand National Emergency Management AgencyGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
- Civil Protection Family PlanMexico CENAPREDGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
- Kit de EmergenciaChile SENAPREDGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
- Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field WorkersWorld Health OrganizationIntergovernmental institution
For information and context. This combines technical work with member-state processes. Treat it as evidence and institutional guidance, not a guarantee that local services will act or reach you.
Editorial status: first staging edition. Safety-critical instructions will receive specialist and jurisdiction review before public launch.