Common Nordic Emergency Plan

Common Nordic Emergency Plan

Emergency Numbers:

Police 118

Firefighters 115 – from mobile *911

Ambulance (Red Cross) 128

Hospitals,Managua:

Hopital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas:

Carretera Masaya Km. 9 ¾ - 250 mts. al Oeste Phone: 2255 69 00

Hospital Militar Alejandro Davila Bolaños :

Lomas de Tiscapa Phone: 2222 2763

Hospital Salud Integral:

Montoya 1 c. al lago, 1 c. abajo, ½ al lago Phone: 2266 1707

Hospital Bautista:

De la casa Morales Aviles 2 c. al Sur y 2 arriba Phone: 2249 7070

Dentists:

Marco A. Mongalo, DDS Ofiplaza El Retiro #7-13C Phone: 2270 3173

Nélinda González de Rocha

Clinica : 2266 6069 Casa : 2265 8408

Background:

The Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway and Sweden have made a common emergency plan for Nicaragua to assure a high quality of assistance to all our citizens in case of an emergency. As Sweden no longer has an embassy in Nicaragua the Swedish embassy in Guatemala is responsible for the Swedish citizens in Nicaragua in coordination with the Danish Embassy and the local honorary consul.

All Nordic citizens or persons with a residence permit in a Nordic country can contact any Nordic contact person for assistance in case of emergency. If deemed necessary the Nordic embassies will organize a crisis center at the Danish Embassy with the Norwegian Embassy as back up.

It should be stressed that it is voluntary to follow the Nordic Embassies advices. It is up to each and everyone to value his/her own situation and which steps should to be taken. The Nordic embassies recommend their citizens to register at the embassy and keep the information up-dated. Each embassy is trying to keep track of their citizens for contacts in case of an emergency.

Risk Assessment

The political situation in Nicaragua is relatively stable, but incidents might happen for example in connection with elections and student protests. The National Police has a website, please see www.policia.gob.ni  for more information.

Traffic accidents are frequent due to bad road conditions and careless driving. If you have a car accident you should not move your car until advised by the Police, who can be contacted on 118.

It is most likely that a major emergency crisis will emanate from natural disaster.

Smaller earthquakes are frequently occurring. Information on the seismological movements between the two earth plates “Coco” and “Caribe”, which intersect below the surface of Managua, can be found on www.ineter.gob.ni Tsunamis can occur as a result of earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean. Ineter has an alert warning system operating on the coast. During September-November hurricanes in the region can cause heavy rainfall and mud slides throughout the country. Nicaragua has a long chain of volcanoes and 7 of them are active (San Cristóbal, Telica, Cerro Negro, El Hoyo, Momotombo, Masaya y Concepción).

After the Mitch-catastrophe 1998 the emergency organization, Sinapred, was established for the coordination of rescue work in an emergency situation. Information about Sinapred can be found on www.sinapred.gob.ni  Sinapred has not so far been tested for a larger catastrophe, but has functioned effectively at smaller mudslides, volcano eruptions and flooding.

CRISES SITUATION

Phase of crises:

If the emergency situation is due to a minor political unrest it is advisable to stay at home and, if possible, contact the closest contact person for advice! Listen to the local radio. At major emergencies and crises you should be prepared to evacuate to the closest place of assembly.

Make sure that you have a small bag prepared in case you need to leave your home:

Your car should always be kept in a good condition. Make sure that you always have half a tank of diesel/gasoline. Also, it is recommended to keep a telephone list of emergency numbers and a map of Nicaragua in the gloves´ compartment.

Please note that the Nordic Embassies cannot assist with food supplies or extra diesel.

Advices in the case of an earthquake

- stay calm

- do not stay on the street close to electrical wires

- stay away from windows, mirrors, gas tanks

- if you are outside try to find an open space

- if you are close to the Pacific Ocean move quickly to a higher place

In the case of gunfire or explosions, cover the windows with mattresses or carpets, close the curtains and stay under a bed.

If a natural disaster should occur, it is not likely that it is necessary for the Nordic community to organize a major evacuation from Nicaragua to another country. However, an evacuation within the country could be possible.

Please note that none of the Nordic embassies will be economically responsible in case of an evacuation. The expenses will have to be paid by the person her/himself unless it is a government employee on an official travel in the country.

In case of crises the Danish Embassy will be organized into a communication center for the Nordic embassies in Managua. The Norwegian embassy will function as a back up.