The recent DANA in the Valencian Community and other regions of Spain has caused, until the date of publication of this article, 210 dead and several hundred missing. The organizations and local volunteers They responded quickly, delivering food, water and basic necessities to affected families.
This citizen solidarity not only provides immediate assistance, but also underlines the crucial role of civil society in times of catastrophe.
Aid according to needs
Food aid through donations is essential to sustain affected communities. In order to maximize its effectiveness, the state of the affected populations should be taken into accountwhich allows you to categorize the type of food aid based on losses of essential servicesas I usually explain in the subject of Nutrition in Emergency Situations at the University of Valencia.
They can be seen four different states:
– Critical condition. In this phase, the population is in extreme risk due to the complete lack of electricity and drinking water. Living conditions are extremely difficult and They require urgent intervention to ensure emergency food, bottled water and temporary shelter.
Food aid must then focus on basic products that do not require preparation or refrigeration: bottled water, canned foods, energy bars and ready-to-eat meals. Besides, Deliveries must be frequent and in large quantitiesensuring accessibility through nearby distribution points or direct deliveries. And we must not forget that Food must arrive along with other vital supplies, such as shelter and kits of hygiene.
– State of emergency. The electricity is intermittent and the water supply has not been restored, affecting hygiene and sanitation. The help must be constant to stabilize infrastructure and support the recovery of basic services.
In this case, you need products that can be prepared with limited equipmentsuch as instant rice, pre-cooked pasta and preserves. Since there is no access to drinking water, It is vital to ensure the supply of bottled water to prepare these foods.
Also supplying the population with masks, gloves and plastic thimbles should be consideredsince standing water and decomposing waste can increase the risk of infections.
– Alert status. At this stage, electricity has been partially restored, but the water supply is limited. Here, assistance should focus on provide drinking water and cleaning products to ensure safety in food preparation.
Donated food may include basic products that require minimal preparationsuch as cereals, pasta, legumes and cans of vegetables, fruits and proteins. Logistical support and distribution of these products should focus on meet hygiene and sanitation needs.
– Recovery status. When electricity and water services have been mostly restored, the priority is to ensure the continuity of said services and evaluate damage to the infrastructure. Food aid can then include more varied products that promote a balanced dietsuch as canned fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, and other long-life perishables.
Additionally, it is important to replenish local pantries and provide resources that allow families return to normality.
Special considerations: children, pregnant women and the elderly
The priority in the case of small children They are ready-to-consume infant formulas –baby food or porridge– and bottled water to prepare these products and maintain the hydration of the little ones.
If it’s babies, breastfeeding is the best option –whenever possible–, since it does not depend on water or equipment and offers nutritional and protective benefits. To ensure its effectiveness, it is essential that the mother is well hydrated and has hygienic conditions to breastfeed. Pregnant women need nutrient-dense foods, such as energy bars, iron and folic acid supplements, fortified milk, and canned fruits.
In the case of the seniorsit is essential to provide easy to chew foodssuch as fruit purees, porridges and canned soups, as well as liquid nutritional supplements if necessary.
It is important to recognize the effort of Official College of Dietitians-Nutritionists of the Valencian Community (CODiNuCoVa), which has published recommendations on food donation and food safety for people affected by DANA. These synergies between nutrition professionals, volunteers and solidarity organizations help maximize the effectiveness of donations and to ensure that safe and adequate food reaches those who need it most.
In conclusion, organization and adaptation of food aid are essential in emergency situations. Civil society, together with the work of professionals and volunteers, plays a key role so that donations truly benefit populations at risk.
This article was originally published on The Conversation
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