Being prepared is the single most effective thing a family, a team, or an organization can do before a disaster strikes. This page collects practical resources you can use today, starting with a ready-to-use emergency kit checklist.
Emergency Kit
A 72-hour emergency kit is the baseline for self-sufficiency during the first days after a disaster, before regular services and supply chains are restored. Based on SENAPRED’s recommendations, here’s what it should include:
Water and food
- Water: 2 liters per person per day (small bottles, easier to carry)
- Food that needs no cooking: energy bars, dehydrated food, canned goods, tetrapack food
Light and communication
- Flashlight (battery or hand crank)
- Portable battery-powered radio + spare batteries
- Portable power bank
Health
- First aid kit: gloves, disposable masks, blunt-tip scissors, gauze, bandages, adhesive tape, band-aids, saline solution, digital thermometer
- Regular medication for each family member
Hygiene
- Personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Disposable masks
- Garbage bags
Clothing and warmth
- A change of clothes and shoes per person
- Sleeping bag or blanket per person
Documents and money
- Copies of documents in a waterproof bag (ID, passport, birth certificate, family record book, property deed or lease)
- Copies of house and vehicle keys
- Cash
Tools
- Hammer, gloves, screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench
- Small pocketknife
- Lighter or matches
- Rubber hose
Other
- Bleach or water purification tablets
- Cooking utensils (at least two pots)
- Plastic bags
The checklist also includes a household & meeting point sheet: space to note each family member’s needs and medication, a meeting point if you get separated, and an out-of-area contact. Adjust the kit according to your family’s composition (children, older adults, pregnant women, people with disabilities or specific medical conditions) and your local risk context.
Download the full checklist, available in English and Spanish: