Whether it is a natural disaster (floods or storms), a corona pandemic, or a crisis due to war (as it is currently the case in Ukraine) – an emergency can happen quickly and affect anyone. Good preparation is very helpful. The government recommends a 10-day supply for emergencies.
Fulda – “In the event of a disaster, there is a risk that food will be difficult to obtain,” writes the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), the central agency of Germany’s federal government for civil protection, in the guide.
When the electricity, water, telephone, and internet are out, it is very helpful to make emergency supplies yourself for a certain period of time. “So make sure you have enough supplies. Your goal should be to be able to survive ten days without shopping,” explains the Federal Home Office (BMI) Specialized Authority, headed by Nancy Viser (SPD). Hess Outside.
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BBK strongly recommends having emergency reserves at home and then checking them annually. In addition to the first aid kit, food and, above all, water should be available. And the Federal Office stresses that “drinking is more important than eating.”
“A person can go three weeks without food, but only four days without liquids,” BBK explains, and advises that the 10-day supply should therefore include 20 liters of water per person – two liters per day and per person. In addition to water, fruit juices and other drinks that can be stored for a longer period are also suitable for liquid supply.
The specified water source also includes 0.5 liters of water per person per day, with which food (eg pasta, rice or potatoes) can also be prepared independently from the public drinking water supply.
What foods should be included in the 10-day emergency supply? The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance lists a number of foods on its checklist that are well suited to this, such as pasta, rice or legumes.
It is ideal if the emergency food can be kept for a long time without refrigeration. Much of the supply should also be able to be eaten cold. Supplies should be used up as gradually as possible in daily life and refilled over and over again (“Living Supplies”). Thus the food is automatically replenished again and again and never expires.
| Emergency food | Amount (for 10 days, per person) |
| Water | 20 liters |
| Cereals, bread, potatoes, pasta and rice | 3.5 kg |
| Vegetables and legumes | 4.0 kg |
| Fruit and nuts | 2.5 kg |
| Milk and dairy products | 2.6 kg |
| Fish, meat, eggs or whole egg powder | 1.5 kg |
| fatty oils | 0.4 kg |
A basic 10-day supply for one person included in the checklist overview above corresponds to around 2,200 calories (kcal) per day, and so will usually cover total energy requirements. BBK points out that vegetables and legumes in jars or cans are already cooked and are therefore more beneficial than dried products in emergency situations, because their preparation requires additional water.
In an emergency supply, it makes sense to use whole egg powder instead of eggs, as they can keep for several years. Newly purchased supplies are always placed on the “back” of the shelf so that older groceries are used first. By the way, according to BBK, frozen foods are also part of the emergency stock. (I read here: Food is becoming scarce: “all the alarm bells are ringing” for farmers in Fulda)
In addition to the foods listed, the following items can also be part of your 10-day emergency supply: sugar, sweetener, honey, jam, chocolate, iodized salt, prepared meals (such as ravioli, dried tortellini, ready-made soups), dried potato products ( such as mashed potatoes), flour, instant gravy, cocoa powder, hard biscuits, and pretzel sticks.
The official bodies for civil protection and disaster relief also recommend that the car’s tank should be at least half full. There should also be a medicine box in every home. According to BBK, this should include: a DIN first aid kit, prescription medications, analgesics, and skin and wound antiseptics.
There are also remedies for colds and diarrhea, clinical thermometers, insect bites, sunburn ointment, and splinter tweezers. Some hygiene items should also be available in the house – soap (bar), detergents, toothbrushes, toothpaste, crockery and disposable cutlery as well as household napkins, toilet paper, garbage bags and household gloves.
Emergency precautions in case of a crisis: medicine box, toiletries and emergency backpack
If it is necessary to quickly leave the apartment in case of an emergency, it is useful to have a backpack or emergency bag already packed. According to BBK, this includes personal medication, temporary protective clothing, woolen blankets/sleeping bags, underwear, socks, rubber boots/rough boots, sturdy and warm clothing, and a protective mask/temporary respiratory protection.
Also in the emergency bag should be: cutlery / cutlery, thermos flask, mug and items for wound care, can opener and pocket knife, flashlight, work gloves and camera / mobile phone. It would also be nice to have a small radio (powered, battery powered or moveable), spare batteries, power bank, first aid kit, duct tape, waterproof matches, copies of important documents (USB stick) as well as paper/pens.