7 Welfare 7.1 Overview Communities can be affected by emergencies in different ways, and may need different types of welfare services, including (but not limited to): Shelter or accommodation; Food, water, or clothing; Assistance with contacting family/whānau or significant others; Psychosocial support; Financial assistance; Medication, medical assistance, and assistance with other health or disability needs; or Veterinary assistance, food, and/or shelter for their pets. Note the welfare services sub-functions are defined in 7.2.2 and the agencies responsible are listed Table 10. Welfare services may be accessed by or delivered to the public in a number of ways. A flexible approach is required and may be achieved by mobile facilities, community based organisations, at Civil Defence Centres, online, via existing agency offices or by telephone. The mode of delivery will depend on a variety of influencing factors, including the size of the emergency, its location (eg; rural or urban communities, easily accessible or isolated places), and the timeframes (ie; from immediate needs, to needs that occur later on or are ongoing). One of the aims of welfare services is to support people in the safest location possible. This may be in their home, workplace, holiday accommodation, emergency shelter, or emergency or temporary accommodation. 7.1.1 Principles The principles applying to welfare services are to: Recognise the diverse and dynamic nature of communities. Strengthen self-reliance as the foundation for individual, family, whānau and community resilience. Ensure that emergency welfare services address the specific welfare needs of individuals, families, whānau and communities. Ensure flexibility in the services provided and how they are best delivered. Integrate and align with local arrangements and existing welfare networks. 7.1.2 Issues and Priorities Group planning must be comprehensive and coordinated. Ensure the gaps as identified in the 2014 Capability Assessment Report are completed through the Group Corrective Action Plan. Some welfare services agencies (responsible and support) are not based in Marlborough so additional effort is required to keep them engaged and to ensure their support and availability in an emergency. Marlborough Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, 2017-2022 Page 54