Is your home prepared for the first 72 hours of disaster?

UNICEF says that every member of the family, including children, should have a part in emergency preparations CEBU, Philippines – As the impact of the Super El Niño is set to peak by the end of 2026, several government officials and a former lawmaker are urging their constituents be ready with their 72-hour plans for worst-case scenarios. On Tuesday, November 10, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said in a press conference that the Cebu provincial government is working on a 72-hour disaster preparedness campaign to ensure that residents have sufficient resources they can use when conditions worsen or make it difficult for aid to arrive. “This is not the first time that this has happened. It has always been a call — internationally — that for the first 72 hours, our homes are ready with water and food as the government help may arrive after the 72 hours during disasters,” Baricuatro said in a mix of English and Cebuano. Former Surigao del Norte 2nd District representative Robert Ace Barbers called for a nationwide campaign to ensure that every Filipino household would have their own measures to survive 72 hours without immediate government assistance. He urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and military and local officials to conduct regular drills, build reliable communication networks, and secure backup plans for critical public services during severe disruptions. “Three days of self-sufficiency could save lives while government responders are mobilizing,” Barbers said in a statement on November 8. Alarms raised As of November 5, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that a very strong El Niño was present in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The weather agency said that the Super El Niño phenomenon will persist until the first half of 2027, causing a sustained lack of rainfall and raising the odds of dry spells and drought in the country. On Monday, November 9, 20 senators called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of calamity in areas affected or threatened by the Super El Niño. Under the law, the declaration of a state of calamity would allow the government to allocate funds to combat the impact of the weather phenomenon in those communities, and activate remedial measures like the imposition of a price ceiling on basic necessities and commodities, and prevention of hoarding and profiteering activities. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a news briefing on Tuesday, November 10, that there could be a 60% reduction in the generation of hydropower plants and possible disruptions to plants in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids due to the intense heat. What should be in your 72-hour plan According to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), 72 hours is the basic rule of thumb for the amount of time for people to take care of each other before help arrives during serious emergencies. While the national government does not provide a streamlined 72-hour plan,the PDRF recommends the use of the PH72, a tool for emergency preparedness, that outlines the necessary steps and information about what to do in times of disasters. Under PH72, households should establish an emergency communication plan before a disaster hits, ensuring that each family member is able to contact relatives outside of affected areas and meet up at a predetermined location if they are separated. The PDRF also encourages having emergency supplies that not only cover meals but also other necessities. Supply items should be divided into three categories — personal, useful, and essentials. Personal items give you and your family extra comfort. These include personal documents, prescription medications, hygiene products, toys for children, and power banks. Useful items improve the quality of life for the first 72 hours. These can consist of cash, dry and sturdy clothes, tools, cellphone chargers, sleeping bags, blankets, and a radio. Essential items help individuals get by during an emergency. These include first aid kit, water supply, whistle, flashlight, and non-perishable food to name a few. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlighted that every member of the family, including children, should play a part in emergency preparations. Under UNICEF’s “Emergency planning for families,” parents can teach their three-year-olds how to use a whistle, call for help, and memorize their family’s home address. For five-year-olds, UNICEF suggests teaching them how to pack their “Go-Bag” or their emergency supply bag. Seven-year-olds can be taught how to routinely drop-cover-and-hold during earthquakes. UNICEF also urges parents to give 15 to 17 year olds a list of emergency hotlines to save on their mobile phones and teach them how to monitor for emergency updates and advisories on social media. “Aside from physical safety, families also need to take care of the mental health of everyone, especially children, during times of fear and disaster,” UNICEF’s website read. – Rappler.com