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
- Tell your out-of-area contact where you are going and the route.
- Leave a note at home saying where you went and when.
- If there is time and it is safe: turn off gas, water and electricity, lock the door.
- 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
- Go to your agreed meeting point and wait.
- Tell staff at the reception centre or shelter who you are looking for.
- Register with authorities and UNHCR (if displaced across borders).
- 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