As soon as contact has been established with the intermediate-level or central authorities, the committee will inform them of the requirements.

Figure

The purpose is to avoid confusion and obtain appropriate outside assistance. The exchange of information will cover general problems and activities for health:

A. General information:

· assessment of the number of homeless,
· estimate of the number of victims,
· evaluation of the type, extent and seriousness of the material damage,
· information on isolated villages,
· information on people cut off from their families,
· forecasts as to how the natural phenomena responsible for the disaster will develop.

B. Requests for assistance:

· machines for clearing rubble,
· means of transport, fuel,
· shelters (tents, materials for constructing shelters, caravans, other),
· blankets, clothing, boots, raincoats,
· food, tools, batteries, containers, materials,
· persons specializing in rescue work,
· others.

C. Requests made by the local health personnel on the basis of the number of people needing assistance and the type of care required:

· health equipment and material,
· medicaments,
· any health personnel required,
· suitably equipped hospitals to which patients may be sent who cannot be looked after on the spot,
· means and organization for evacuating the injured and the sick.

When there is no telephone or the lines are down, contact can. only be established by radio. If the community does not possess radio equipment, radio amateurs can sometimes re-establish contact. In any event, the committee must have the communications centre at its disposal.