Rapid steps must be taken to establish a system of continuous contact with the families stricken by the disaster. An effective way of setting up such a system is to subdivide the community into groups consisting of neighbouring family nuclei and to put someone in charge of each group. The person may be designated by the group or, failing that, selected by the local authority. Each such person can delegate special tasks to members of the group.

Those in charge of groups are in daily touch with the community’s coordination committee. A system of this kind makes it possible:

· to collect information on requirements,
· to pass on instructions and information,
· to distribute where necessary the means of survival (clothing, blankets, food, etc.).