What emergency supplies does Bangladesh recommend?

Short answer. Bangladesh's Department of Disaster Management (DDM) asks households to store dry food such as flattened rice, puffed rice, molasses and coconut with safe drinking water once a cyclone signal is received, and to take dry food, water, medicines, a torch, a radio and matches to the shelter ¹. No number of days and no litres per person are published ¹.

How many days of supplies does Bangladesh recommend?

None. The DDM household guide of December 2022 and the Standing Orders on Disaster name the supplies to keep but give no duration ¹². The guide does ask families to protect the essentials that may still be needed after the storm ¹. For a common benchmark, see the 72-hour kit and two weeks of supplies.

How much water should I store?

The official guidance says to keep safe drinking water but gives no quantity ¹². See How much water per person per day? and Water storage containers. After a flood, water from a flooded tube well must be boiled or disinfected before drinking: see the Bangladesh water page.

What should I store when a cyclone signal is issued?

The DDM's cyclone chapter lists what to do from the moment a warning signal is received ¹:

• protect cash, jewellery, the VGD or VGF card, national ID card, birth registration certificate, vaccination card, freedom fighter certificate, bank and microcredit papers and education certificates;
• store dry food such as flattened rice (chira), puffed rice (muri), molasses (gur) and coconut, and safe drinking water;
• for children, take the food, clothes, medicine and toys they need to the shelter;
• when going to the shelter, take dry food, safe drinking water, necessary medicines, a torch, a radio and matches.

The Standing Orders on Disaster give the same advice to the community at the distant signals I and II: prepare battery-run radios and torch lights, and store dry food, potable water, emergency medications and first aid materials ².

How do I protect supplies from the storm?

Bury them, sink them in a pond or tie them to a strong tree, says the DDM guide ¹. The Standing Orders also advise wrapping dry food, drinking water, matches and utensils in plastic sheets and storing them underground ².

What about earthquakes and fire?

For earthquakes, the DDM asks households to keep a fire extinguisher, a battery-run radio, a torch, a whistle, a helmet, a dust mask and first aid supplies at home, and to teach every family member how to use them ¹. See Earthquake preparedness and the kit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Bangladeshi 72-hour kit?

No official duration is published. The DDM lists the supplies without a number of days ¹.

What food does the government recommend?

Dry food that keeps without cooking, such as flattened rice, puffed rice, molasses and coconut ¹.

Should I take documents to the cyclone shelter?

Yes. The DDM asks families to protect cash and documents such as the national ID card, birth registration certificate and education certificates ¹. See Important documents.

Preparedness index: Bangladesh ranks 54th of 67, 44.5/100 · full ranking