Information Aid UK

Fast and vital information for displaced people in immediate need.

Emergencies, be they from severe weather, supply chain failure, migration or social disorder, often involve the displacement of people and their gathering together in village halls and public shelters. Often, they have nothing, no shoes or warm clothes, no toys or phones. They also have no information, so their questions must wait. Following collective trauma, not knowing what’s happening adds to their suffering.

Institutions take time to mobilise resources. In an emergency, the first to arrive are Category 1 & 2 Responders (police, fire, ambulance and utilities respectively), then the Local Authority - all report being constantly asked for information they often do not have the time, or the training, to give.

When Emergency workers leave, communities are once again, alone. As government planners state, 'in the end, all resilience is local.' Such support must come from community and voluntary groups, both before the emergency services arrive, and after they leave.

Resilience planners at all levels stress the importance of what is often referred to as 'Information First Aid.' This involves identifying needs, addressing people's concerns and the rapid provision of information on available services, supports and resources. In particular, there is a pressing need for how to get stuff like clothes, shoes, books and toys. Information is always, in part, material, so Information Aid uses local resources to provide essential items when requested. There is also a need for basic 'Psychological First Aid', for orientation sessions and - because of the endless waiting - the management of expectations.

Backed up by research and resources, our Outreach Volunteers (in effect, ‘Category 3 Responders’) go wherever people in crisis are gathered together, whether in emergency shelters, community halls, transport hubs, temporary housing following extreme weather events, refugee bridging hotels, emergency food banks or community centres. We give on-site information on health, money and available support, on how to find essential items and community groups, getting online, educational resources, service signposting and referrals.

Questions:

What’s happening?

How long must we wait?

Who can help?

Internet?

What is ‘Devon’?

• Printed Handouts

• Online Resources

• Essential Items

• Practical Supports