Residents' Concerns Regarding Schools Designated as Evacuation Shelters

Area of Science:

• Disaster Management
• Community Resilience
• Educational Infrastructure

Background:

• Schools are frequently utilized as emergency shelters during natural disasters.
• Effective shelter management is critical for the well-being of evacuees.
• Previous disaster events highlight challenges in shelter preparedness and capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate resident perceptions of schools utilized as disaster shelters.
• To identify specific challenges and areas for improvement in school-based emergency shelters.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Target group included teachers and guardians from four schools in a disaster-affected district.
• Data collected through surveys and qualitative analysis of clauses and codes.

Main Results:

• A significant discrepancy exists between reported shelter capacity and actual conditions.
• Key issues identified include lack of information, inadequate disaster preparedness, and poor shelter management.
• Evacuees experienced difficulties in comfortable living conditions within the shelters.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing the need for improvements in school disaster shelters is essential for residents.
• Collaboration between residents and local governments can enhance shelter facilities.
• Increased ownership and preparedness can prevent confusion and disruption during evacuations.