Risk-Based Methodological Approach for Planning for Emergency Sheltering due to Earthquake Disasters

Emergency sheltering is one of the main pillars of civil protection mechanism at European, national, and local level. Historically, earthquakes in Europe are associated with the highest sheltering needs with employment of a combination of sheltering options. In order to support the disaster management planning and capabilities building of the civil and administrative authorities, an integrated seismic risk assessment methodology is suggested for assessment of needs in terms of potential displaced population that is expected to seek state’s assistance. The methodology includes a physical risk component that allows for the assessment of levels of damage and evacuated population and a social vulnerability component that evaluates, based on socioeconomic parameters, the willingness and need of people to seek different alternatives for emergency sheltering. Identification and quantification of available facilities and provisions can subsequently be based on the latter value of needs estimation. The same methodology can be equally applied for contingency planning at local level, allowing for predesignation of optimum shelters location, in combination with site specifications criteria and multi-hazard assessments. Tackling the needs for emergency sheltering in camps, an approach for geographic distribution of material storage is also proposed, based on national risk-driven criteria, as well as operational ones.