Thank you for the question.
The dependency is on how fast we can respond, what that response looks like and where the evacuation location is. Which communities have the capacity to support communities in a safe way is very much dependent on the location of the disaster itself, and there's the recognition of the scale and scope of the event.
It's really about looking at what the standards are in terms of receiving requests for evacuations, putting in place conversations with community and community leadership—as well as the authorities and responsibility holders—on how we are going to make decisions if we have a community that is displaced. How do we make decisions on where they will be located, the type of housing and accommodation provided, and who the partner organizations are?
One thing we're really trying to recognize in an evacuation approach is that we need to do work at the forefront. How are we building those relationships with communities at risk? How are we understanding the natural support structures that provide services in times outside of disaster? How are we looking at the needs and requirements that are distinct for that population, which we need to maintain and continue in evacuation?
There are many different parameters. I think the key message I would like to bring is about what we are doing beforehand. How are we looking at the prevention of the evacuation in the first place? Many times communities have to evacuate because they don't have access to the right materials and capacities to shelter in place. We know that in many cases this is a first choice. Is there investment that we can be making to build that capacity in communities, so that they can stay safe and really use evacuation as a last resort?
As we talk about prevention and about the recognition that these events are only going to continue to grow in scale and uncertainty, I really hope that we can be looking at new ways of working together.