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Last weekend, the National Civil Defense made a publication on its social networks that raised an alert among many people on the internet.
The post contained guidance on what to put in an emergency kit to meet basic needs for up to 72 hours.
But many people were frightened by the guidance, which some considered "inadequate" because it had generated panic and distrust. The following day, the agency returned to social media to say that the content was of a preventive nature.
Panic, however, had already been created on the networks. Given the repercussions, the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR), which heads the National Civil Defense at federal level, spoke out on the matter.
In a note, the ministry stated that the emergency kit recommendation "is strictly preventive in nature and is not related to any national alert or a forecast of widespread interruption in public services or supply."
Throughout the week, state agencies also reinforced the message that there is no reason to panic. "There is no reason to be alarmed. There is no need to stock up on food or panic", says a video posted by the São Paulo Civil Defense this Monday (9/11).
"Prevention is not prediction", wrote the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul. "We need to strengthen a culture of prevention, starting at home, with simple attitudes that can make a difference in the face of an adverse situation."
But after all, is it necessary to have an emergency kit at home? And what should it contain?
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Without panic, the answer to the first question is: yes. And we explain why below.
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Why is an emergency kit necessary?
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Civil Defenses spread across the states have tried over the last few days to calm tempers and, at the same time, reinforce the message that yes, an emergency kit — or backpack — is necessary.
Leo Farah, master in crisis and disaster management and CEO of Humus, an NGO dedicated to disaster prevention and humanitarian aid, explains that the idea of an emergency kit is old and practically universal.
"But Brazil has never been a country that worked with a culture of prevention", he says.
In March last year, the European Commission proposed that Europeans keep 72-hour "survival kits" at home, with medicines, a flashlight, batteries, food and money.
The initiative was part of a strategy to face natural disasters, pandemics, cyberattacks or even war.
The following month, an immense blackout left Portugal, Spain and other European countries in a chaotic state for hours on end. Many reported that they had to eat biscuits and canned goods that day. Those who had these foods at home, or cash to buy them.
In October of the same year, Germany produced a manual with practical recommendations for citizens on how to act in different crisis scenarios, such as natural disasters and nuclear and chemical accidents, or "in the worst case scenario, [in] a military attack".
Likewise, England last month launched the "Be Ready" campaign, recommending that citizens keep a three-day supply of supplies, such as water and non-perishable food.
“This is a normal thing,” says Farah. "People need to accept that there are risks, dangers, and that we have to live with them."
Credit, Thilo Schmülgen/Reuters
What should an emergency kit have?
To put together an emergency kit, Leo Farah explains that it is necessary to keep in mind each person's cultural and geographic differences.
"Here in Brazil we have the habit of having water tanks in our homes, unlike other countries like the United States and Japan. Gas in the cylinder and the clay filter are also common elements here, which are beneficial when services are interrupted, for example," he says.
Another point is to understand the risks. "It doesn't make sense to talk about floods for those who live in the backlands."
But, in general, there is a common list for basic kits, which contains:
Including a first aid kit is also generally recommended, but Farah warns: "Only put what you know how to use. There's no point in having a tourniquet if you don't know how to use it."
He also reinforces that it is necessary to keep the kit at hand. "This kit is for leaving the house; it has to be in an easily accessible place", says Farah.
Why 72 hours?
Most emergency kit recommendations stipulate that supplies should be calculated to last up to three days.
Farah explains that, in general, when an event happens, the first 72 hours are used by defense agencies to assist people in the most critical situation.
Disappearances, burials and more serious injuries are the focus in the opening hours.
"Depending on the event, there may be an interruption of the water, energy system or access to the city, such as bridges and viaducts", he says. "This, in general, is usually restored within 72 hours."
Just like Civil Defenses, the expert emphasizes that there is no reason for any immediate panic. But remember the risks that climate change has brought in recent years.
"We will have the strongest El Niño in recent years, which will cause a serious regime of extreme events, with rain in some regions and droughts in others", he recalls.
On the other hand, the ease with which news about events is spread also helps to fuel the feeling of panic.
"People are realizing that the south of Brazil has a very high incidence of tornadoes. These phenomena have always happened, but today people share more", he says.
In addition to weather phenomena, the possibility of major blackouts and hacker attacks — such as the one that recently occurred on freezers and refrigerators in European markets — is also on the list of events in which an emergency kit can be very useful.
"It's not about being prepared for the end of the world; it's about overcoming two, three days", says Farah.
"In the same way that you use a seat belt because an accident could occur, the kit was designed not to be used", he reassures.
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