The Netherlands National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations VIII Follow-up stage 1. Preparations for the follow-up stage to a situation in which the national crisis structure is mobilised – the recovery and aftercare stage – will already begin during the response. By identifying – at local and/or regional level – the victims and persons directly involved and estimating the damage and other consequences as early as possible, the relevant parties can determine what action needs to be taken. The transition from the active stage to the follow-up stage is a gradual process. 3. The Interdepartmental Coordination Group can decide that the coordination of and approach to one or more follow-up themes should be dealt with and implemented by an interdepartmental, multidisciplinary team, in cooperation with other public and private partners if necessary. A general action plan is then prepared, which the ICMC submits to the MCMC if necessary. The Minister of Finance is involved in the preparation of the plan. Decisions on the plan are taken by the Cabinet. 2. For the purposes of this Handbook, the follow-up stage comprises all actions taken after the scaling-down of the national crisis organisation to prevent or alleviate social disruption and resume normal activity as quickly as possible. The Minister of Security and Justice is responsible for the general organisation and coordination of the follow-up stage. Line ministries are responsible for specific themes. The follow-up process is monitored by the regular structures of the relevant ministers and discussed in Cabinet if necessary. The follow-up stage can cover a wide range of themes. A list of such themes, covering the whole of central government, is presented in Annexe B. The list is not exhaustive; it is intended as a guide for the preparation of a joint response in the follow-up stage. 31