← All guides

Evacuation, Displacement & Go-Bag

When to leave, what to take, and what to do if you are separated.

When to leave

• Leave immediately when authorities order an evacuation.
• Leave early if staying becomes unsafe. Roads get crowded and dangerous later.
• If you are told to stay inside, stay (see Conflict Safety and Shelter packs).

Go-bag checklist (one per person)

• Water (at least 3 litres) + purification tablets
• Food for 3 days (no cooking needed)
• Medicines for 2 weeks + prescriptions
• Document copies in a waterproof bag
• Cash in small notes
• Phone, charger, power bank
• Torch / flashlight + spare batteries
• Battery or wind-up radio
• First aid kit
• Hygiene items, soap, menstrual supplies
• Warm layer, rain cover, sturdy shoes
• Whistle
• Face masks
• Glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids
• Baby items: nappies, food, cup
• Comfort item for children
• Family photos, this plan, paper map
• Pen and paper

Before you leave home

1. Tell your out-of-area contact where you are going and the route.
2. Leave a note at home saying where you went and when.
3. If there is time and it is safe: turn off gas, water and electricity, lock the door.
4. Write a phone number on each child's arm or inside their clothing, and give them a child ID card.

On the move

• Keep the family together; hold young children's hands in crowds.
• Use routes recommended by authorities. Avoid travelling at night where it is unsafe.
• Keep valuables and documents on your body, not in the outer pockets of your bag.
• Women and children: travel in groups when possible. Report harassment to staff at checkpoints, reception centres or humanitarian organisations.

If you are separated

1. Go to your agreed meeting point and wait.
2. Tell staff at the reception centre or shelter who you are looking for.
3. Register with authorities and UNHCR (if displaced across borders).
4. Contact Red Cross / Red Crescent Restoring Family Links: familylinks.icrc.org

At a shelter or reception centre

• Register yourself and every family member
• Ask where to get water, food and health care
• Ask where to report safety problems and get legal help
• Keep your documents with you at all times
• Ask about services for children, elderly and disabled people

Pets

Take a carrier or lead, food and water. Ask in advance which shelters accept animals.

Free printable guides and the HAVEN offline survival app: [havensurvival.com](https://havensurvival.com)