PNBC DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RECOMMENDATION FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS

1. Introduction
Due to the high risk environment in the Philippines, where i.e. typhoons and earth quakes are a regular occurrence, it’s important to be well prepared in advance in order to reduce the risk as much as possible. This recommendation seeks to provide information to private individuals and the measures they should take to be well prepared. PNBC also has a recommendation for emergency preparedness for companies, including evacuation procedures.

Philippines Norway Business Counsel (“PNBC”) has prepared this recommendation with the objective of providing its’ members with a framework for disaster preparedness. This recommendation is based on “best practice” from Norwegian companies based in the Philippines. This recommendation is not exhaustive, and shall serve for information purposes only, giving members anidea of what they need to think about when putting together their emergency response plan. PNBC does not assume any liability, directly or indirectly, through the distribution of this recommendation for any damages or loss incurred as a consequence of an emergency situation.

2. Recommended items to keep at home
All items below should be packed in a water-proof back-back, and kept next to the door you will use to get out of the house/apartment in a hurry. Remember to replace medicines when about to expire, and to test the flashlight and power bank at least once per quarter.

• Copies of both local and Norwegian IDs – all valid.
• Laminated sheet with telephone-numbers for next-of-kin in Norway, Norwegian Embassy in Manila, designated safe-houses in your part of the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway and your company HQ.
• A map showing the route to the nearest safe-house(s)
• A charged power bank and spare cables for keeping your mobile charged
• Cash as a combination of Pesos and US Dollars, it is advisable that the amount of the latter is greater than or equal to 500.
• A family-scale water-filter (LifeStraw is proven to work)
• A small primus-style cooker, with fuel/gas for 7 days.
• Drinking water: Estimate 4 liters per person per day. For a household of 4, this means 4 x 4 x 7 = 112 Liters of water.
• A large tarpaulin (5×4 meters will normally be sufficient)
• 20 meters of light-weight but strong nylon rope (climbing-rope is ideal)
• Food: Easy-to-store food which will keep without being refrigerated. Canned food, dried foods, lentils, beans, etc. all work well. This is ultimately a family-choice as tastes differ. Prepare enough food to feed your household for 7 days.
• Personal effects and hygiene kit
  • Extra Clothing (Short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
  • Undergarments
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Toothbrushes/ Toothpaste
  • Hand towels (super absorbent)
  • Comb/ hair brush
  • Hand sanitizer or alcohol
  • Sanitary napkin
• Can-opener
• Mosquito-repellent
• Prescription-medicines to last 7 days
• A first-aid kit containing:
  • Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
  • A wide range of band-aids
  • Anti-septic liquid for cleaning wounds
  • Anti-bacterial cream for external use
  • Butterfly sutures for closing small to mid-size wounds
  • A 14-day supply of any prescription medicine
  • Imodium
  • Rehydration salts
  • Sterile gauze
  • Dressings
  • Scissors
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Supply of prescription medication as required
• A powerful flashlight (LED-lights will last longer), with one set of spare batteries
• A large crowbar
• A solid shovel
• A solid knife
• An axe

3. Recommended items to keep in the car
All items below should be packed in a back-pack or box, to be kept in the car at all times. Remember to replace medicines when about to expire, and to test the flashlight and power bank at least once per quarter.

• Copies of both local and Norwegian IDs – all valid.
• Laminated sheet with telephone-numbers for next-of-kin in Norway, Norwegian Embassy in Manila, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway and your company HQ.
• A map showing the route to the nearest safe-house(s)
• A charged power bank and spare cables for keeping your mobile charged
• One 1L water-bottle per person in the house
• A first-aid kit containing:
  • Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
  • A wide range of band-aids
  • Anti-septic liquid for cleaning wounds
  • Anti-bacterial cream for external use
  • Butterfly sutures for closing small to mid-size wounds
  • A 14-day supply of any prescription medicine
  • Imodium
  • Rehydration salts
  • Sterile gauze
  • Dressings
  • Scissors
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics
• A powerful flashlight (LED-lights will last longer), with one set of spare batteries
• It is advisable never to let the fuel-level drop below ¼ tank.

4. Resources pages

First aid kits
The Philippine Red Cross sells first aid kits which contains all recommended items, and also keep a list of the at all times recommended items.
http://www.redcross.org.ph/get-involved/volunteer/item/837-red-cross-lifeline-kit-be-ready-all-the-time

Weather advisory
PAGASA(Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysicaland Astronomical Services Administration
http://www1.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

National disaster risk reduction and management council
http://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph/

Philippine Institute of volcanology and seismology
http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/