Emergency nutritional care

The term "emergency food preparedness" covers all preventive, preparatory and executive measures to solve problems in the supply of food to the population.

The state's powers to implement emergency food supply measures are derived from the Act on Securing Basic Food Supplies in a Supply Crisis and Measures to Prepare for a Supply Crisis – Food Security and Preparedness Act (ESVG).

In the Salzland district, Department 31 is responsible for precautionary planning in the event of a supply crisis, i.e. it takes on preparatory tasks for the event of a crisis and, in the event of a supply crisis, is responsible for the practical implementation of the legal requirements resulting from the ESVG and the resulting measures.

In Germany, we are in the fortunate position of being able to buy food almost without restriction. We don't have to worry too much about our food supply, at most about what should end up in our shopping basket. In some places, supermarket shopping is even possible around the clock.

Nevertheless, events can occur that mean that food is only available to a limited extent, resulting in so-called supply bottlenecks. The causes of such a supply shortage can be manifold. These include, for example

• Natural disasters such as severe flooding, heavy snowstorms or forest fires
• Collapse of the IT infrastructure due to cyberattacks
• Collapse of critical infrastructures, e.g. large-scale power failure
• Serious accidents in industrial plants
• Pandemics
  
  

In some cases, these major emergencies can occur at very short notice, i.e. without a long warning period.

They rarely appear on our own doorstep. But what if they do?

Having the certainty that you are well prepared for a crisis is reassuring and also buys you time in the event of a crisis. Be it to get your own belongings to safety or to be able to help family, friends or neighbours.

In such a situation, those who have a well-stocked pantry at home are well advised. Ideally, this should include the foods you like best. This will enable you to get through a few days without having to go to the supermarket. It may well be that getting there is very difficult or even impossible, for example because the place where you live is cut off from transport routes by flooding, or because the supermarket itself has been affected and is closed.

An optimally stocked food and drink supply should be able to provide for all family members for about 10 days and should be regularly rotated with regard to the shelf life of the various products.

The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance has produced the "Guide to emergency preparedness and correct action in emergency situations" for anyone who has not yet considered what good preparation for a crisis looks like.

This advice brochure is available in the district offices of the Salzlandkreis or can be accessed online at:

The Federal Republic of Germany is also making provisions for its citizens in the event that a supply bottleneck persists over a longer period of time.

This includes the Federal Republic of Germany maintaining so-called federal reserve stocks and managing the civil emergency reserve as part of its obligation to provide services of general interest. In the event of a crisis, these extensive reserves are available at all times.

The aim of food security and food provision is to be able to provide the population with an adequate supply of food in the event of a supply crisis.

How exactly is explained here: