Emergency storage

Why Emergency Storage?

Let's look at what happens in food supply market. Supply scarcities and prices fluctuations are always observed, due to a number of factors. Some reasons are anticipated seasonal variations, but many are not expected at all.

Common causes of Emergency:

•   Natural disasters (such as Drought, Flooding, heat waves, Crop failures, hurricanes, Tornadoes, Winter storms, Earthquakes)

•   Man-made disasters (such as wars, civil unrests, fires, water or air pollution, terrorist acts)

•   Workers industrial actions

•   Utility supply cut-offs (for example, Electricity, Gas, Water, Communication)

•   Losing a job for a number of reasons

•   Domestic as well as Global Economic Crisis

Most disasters cause disruption of key supplies of food in super-markets, water, electricity, gas, transportation, communication and the like. It is common to see severe hunger and displacements of mass of populations as due to natural and man-made disasters. Whole communities, families and individuals could be affected by them.

Are you prepared?

Some of us think we have everything we need and go out for work or go for holiday picnic; suddenly, things change, for example weather changes, car breaks down, roads blocked, hence we have to wait longer than scheduled. Subsequently, we notice we are run out of food and water. Our worry grows, and at times, this could be life-threatening.

One more example, what would happen to the family if the power goes off in the middle of evening? No way to buy food as the shops are all closed. Family would need something to eat; otherwise they have to sleep empty-stomach. There is no way to cook food, nor there is light to bright the room. The situation becomes more worrying if there are children in the family. Have we ever thought to keep ready-made foods, alternative light (lantern, candles, and flashlight)?

What the above calls is that we need preparation to the un-anticipated, and that can only be achieved by having a well planned emergency storage. Preparing ourselves to face emergency situations has become more and more important nowadays. A well planned emergency preparedness procedure helps to greatly reducing the negative consequences. Preparedness applies to everyone, as individual, family, group, school, community, as well as country. Everyone should be prepared one way or the other to cope with minor or widespread emergencies and disasters and their effects.

How to prepare for emergencies?

The first step to prepare for emergencies is to recognize the fact that they could come at any unexpected times. Then this should be followed by a disaster preparedness plan.

For details of Emergency preparedness plan/ package click here.

Good Practice!

•   Keep a minimum of three-day food in store in case of a day or two disruptions of power supplies, as it would be difficult to cook food.

•   Always, there should be extra drinking water, enough to cover at least three days family consumption. See also more about water storage.

•   For best preparation, it is wise to build a three-month stock; Click here to learn how this can be achieved.

How much to stock Tips! Click here.

There is a lot of reading material as well as books and audio visuals which you may have to refer, in order to learn more.

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By: Yohannes Berhe