Evacuation

• Until now, the experiences and needs of families with very young children during emergencies have been largely invisible and overlooked.
• We looked at families affected by Australia’s catastrophic Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20.
• Read more:
  200 experts dissected the Black Summer bushfires in unprecedented detail.

What we did and what we found

• We found caring for a very young child profoundly impacted parents’ bushfire experiences.
• Many did not have an evacuation plan and found it difficult to gather what they needed when they had to leave.

Evacuation centres weren’t child-friendly

• These mothers found it difficult to keep their children safe in large evacuation centres due to overcrowding, the presence of strangers and animals, and because there were limited resources for caring for children.
• Some emergency responders were aware of the vulnerability of children and their caregivers in large evacuation centres.
• They described unsafe practices by unsupported caregivers, such as washing baby bottles in toilet sinks, and unsafe sleep situations.
• Parents and emergency responders repeatedly said evacuation centres should have a separate space for families with very young children.

Pregnant women were at risk

• Women prioritised their children’s wellbeing over their own and often did not eat or drink properly.
• This was particularly concerning for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Two of the five pregnant women we interviewed fainted while queuing for food and assistance.

Feeding infants could be hard

• Those who were formula feeding found it particularly difficult as infant formula, water, detergent and electricity were often not available.
• Those distributing infant formula did not always check whether parents had resources such as clean water or a way of heating water.
• Some mothers found it difficult to breastfeed in crowded evacuation centres, became dehydrated or interpreted infant fussiness and frequent feeding as meaning there was a problem with their milk.
• Read more:
  Babies and toddlers might not know there's a fire but disasters still take their toll

We need to do better in future emergencies

• Australian emergency planning and response needs an overhaul to better protect infants and young children, and their caregivers.
• Karleen is also on the steering committee of the international interagency collaboration the Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Core Group.
• Michelle Hamrosi is the Community Engagement Officer on the Australian Breastfeeding Association's Community Protection for Infants and Young Children in Bushfire Emergencies Project.
• She is also a member of Doctors for the Environment, Climate and Health Alliance and Australian Parents for Climate Action.

• FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the 2022 hurricane season underway, Air Partner , a Wheels Up (NYSE:UP) company and world-leading international aviation services group, is actively preparing companies, corporations, and private and public individuals with personalized air evacuation services offered in partnership with Kenyon International Emergency Services , a global leader in crisis management.
• "This is why, alongside Kenyon, we build and present comprehensive and personalized air evacuation plans that are tailored to care for individuals when the unprecedented happens."
• Additional air evacuation services and detailed plans offered by Air Partner and Kenyon International include:
  Researched destinations, a range of regional safe-havens, airports with suitable transit facilities
  For further information on air evacuations, please visit https://www.airpartner.com/en/specialised-aviation-solutions/air-evacuation .
• The Air Partner Group has two divisions: Air Partner Charter and Air Partner Services (previously Safety & Security).

• Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye was inspired by the man himself the tailor, Irish immigrant, spy, and unsung hero of the American Revolution.
• It is a 50:50 blend of Caribbean aged rum and home-grown American rye whiskey inspired by the revolutionary era.
• "The Flaviar community really helped build our brand from the start, making Hercules Mulligan the number one rated brand on the platform.
• It's what Mulligan, the man, stood for, and it's what this Rum & Rye blend embodies: a spirit of independence.

• BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In light of the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Ida, the Verizon Foundation is making a $100,000 donation to the Foundation for Louisiana.
• Verizons donation will support the Hurricane Ida Relief Fund for Evacuation and Recovery to help Louisiana communities impacted by this weeks storm.
• Verizon has been a stalwart partner in resourcing these efforts and holding a true commitment to Louisianas people.
• This is our second time working with Verizon to respond to our communities and we appreciate the consistent support.