The care and support of people is a very high priority for emergency responders during emergencies.

Injured survivors are treated and cared for by a range of NHS organisations using well established major incident procedures. The needs of uninjured survivors and other people affected by the emergency must also be identified and met by emergency responders.

The plan defines Humanitarian Assistance as the care and support required by people during emergencies. This includes support for anyone affected by the emergency, including survivors, friends and family of victims and survivors, staff and volunteers responding to the emergency, and anyone else affected by the emergency. Humanitarian Assistance does not include the medical treatment of injured people, but may include other types of support for these people alongside their treatment.

The term Humanitarian Assistance covers a wider range of support than that provided at a Humanitarian Assistance Centre (HAC). The HAC is one specific part of the humanitarian response to an emergency, but Humanitarian Assistance in general includes a wider remit of support which ranges from the basic need for shelter, clothes, and food, to more complex services including crisis support, faith support, and assistance during the recovery process.

The plan provides in depth information on humanitarian requirements relative to Avon and Somerset, including;

• Emergency Reception Centres
• Survivor Reception Centres
• Rest Centres
• Family and Friends Reception Centres
• Crisis Support Teams
• Rail Incident Care Teams
• Identification of Vulnerable People
• Humanitarian Assistance Centres (HAC)
• Website and Telephone Support Channels
• The needs of Faith Communities
• Disaster Appeal Funds
• Memorials and Anniversaries
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) specific incidents
• Welfare of Staff and Volunteers