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There have been some disasters and emergency situations in the media recently, between the earthquakes in New Zealand and floods in Victoria, Australia, as well as around the world, bushfires in Russia and floods in Pakistan, that have inundated much of that country, and before that earthquake in Haiti, storms in the Gulf coast of America… I thought I would look at the Disaster planning, especially in terms of being vegan.
Having been evacuated twice in recent years during bushfires, this is every day reality, and not build-a-bunker, form-a-militia survivalism, just things to consider during emergencies. Also useful information for road-trips, camping, and electricity black-outs.
And, one more useful (non-vegan) tip, if you are evacuated – take the door keys so you can get back in.
Standard Emergency Planning / Disaster Kits
* USA Government FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) (204page booklet)
* Red Cross Disaster Supplies Kit (has a good section on pets, page4)
* Emergency Management NSW: Pets and Livestock
* Emergency Management NSW: Emergency kit
While much of the information covered by the standard “disaster kits” can apply equally to vegans or omnivores, there are some things to consider for vegans, apart from all the information listed in the official guides
- work gloves: especially if for work outside the house, such as clearing fallen trees, or home repairs, suggestions are often for “leather gloves”
- first aid kits: may contain OTC (over the counter) medications and treatments that have been tested on animals or from companies that test on animals
- blankets: may be woolen blankets, prepare with non-wool alternatives
- fishing kits: often a staple of disaster kits are useless in a vegan emergency
- candles and matches: some candles are made out of tallow and matches are made from animal products
- personal care and hygiene products: may contain animal products, be tested on animals, or come from companies that test on animals
- animals: food, water, medication, all animals need a carrier, shelters may not take animals (when moving animals in a vehicle the key points to remember are keep them warm, dark and quiet)
- flash drive, computer back-up: vegans that own blogs or social network sites, be prepared to hand over to someone else, and store your graphics and files that may have taken many years to collect. Include copies of log ins that might be saved on a computer or have auto-log in. Store in a water-proof container.
FOOD KIT
food should also last without refrigeration, be prepared with minimal or no cooking and be portable
* Disaster Planning for Vegetarians, by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
* Carnivores Attack Vegans in Response To Vegetarian Survival Kit Article
- include any B12 supplementation
- Canned fruit in juice, that can be eaten in one meal, there might not be options for storing left overs, and juice provides extra fluid
- Canned beans
- Grain/dried fruit bars (such as muesli or power bars) are now available with vegan selections
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- plained Rolled oats or Muesli mix, made with fruit and nuts; does not require cooking, add long-life soy milk
- Crackers, Corn chips or crisps chips, extra salt may make require extra water
- Canned corn, Canned baby potatoes or other Vegetables
- Canned spaghetti, check for ingredients
- UHT (ultra heat treated, long life) soy milk, plain or flavoured
- Peanut butter, nut butter
- Fruit jam, in small jars (short shelf life if unrefrigerated)
- Vegan chocolate
- Biscuits, Cookies
- Seasonings, (jar or tin) powdered stock, pepper, chilli, soy sauce
- Single serves mustard, chilli sauce, tomato sauce, peanut-butter (eg, find a friend in catering or hospitality industry)
- Cocoa (pre mix with dry sweetener), Tea, Herbal Tea, Coffee
- plus, Water
This is not advice, not meant to replace official information, just things for vegans to consider.
Feedback welcome.
