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| It is necessary to adjust your cognition and realize that this is an emergency situation where normal procedures are not possible. Handle things by setting an order of priority suitable under the circumstances. |
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Nutrition and water
Meals will consist mostly of boxed meals and instant foods, and it has been reported that salt intake increases and the diet becomes unbalanced. Instruct patients not to eat all of the salty dishes in the distributed meals, and to try to maintain balance by taking dietary supplements.
Carrying water requires energy, so do not hesitate to ask volunteers for help. You can use electric pots, hair-washing carts and portable gas stoves to boil water. |
Preparing formula
If possible, boil the water from water trucks to use for preparing formula. |
Sleep and rest
It is said that symptoms such as not being able to sleep, not being able to sleep soundly, becoming scared when it gets dark, and waking up at the same time the earthquake struck are often observed in pregnant women and postpartum mothers who have fallen victim to disasters. On the other hand, some can relax just by having someone sit down beside them and listening to them. Take into consideration the use of sleeping pills if someonefs insomnia is severe. |
Sanitation
When bathing is not possible, do not insist on showers and baths, but use alternative methods such as wiping the entire body or just parts of the body (for example, wiping only the buttocks). To clean the body, you can use wipes or towels warmed with a microwave oven when electricity is available. When using wipes, confirm whether it contains alcohol or not, and be careful not to cause rashes on the skin. For washing hair, use dry shampoo that does not require any water. Rub-in disinfectants can be used to disinfect your hands and fingers when you are unable to wash your hands. |
Environment
* Hot/cold temperature
During disasters in wintertime, many people often complain of being chilled to the bone and being unable to stop shaking because of the cold temperature since heaters cannot always be used. Instruct evacuees to keep warm by wrapping their bodies with newspapers, beddings, blankets, emergency blankets (cloth made of aluminum), etc., and by using disposable pocket warmers (kairo). It has been reported that using cardboard boxes as mats and building walls to create an enclosed space can help people warm up as well as give them some privacy, allowing them to relax a little.
Bodily temperature of newborns is easily affected by the surrounding temperature. When it is cold, have the mother hold the baby, or use linens and other cloths to conserve body heat. Hot water bottles and electric heating pads may be used depending on the situation. Instruct the mothers to be careful of low-temperature burns when using these items.
During disasters in summertime, people are more prone to heat retention and dehydration. Instruct them to ventilate properly, and to drink plenty of fluids.
When forced to live in small spaces such as in cars, pay attention to signs of geconomy-class syndromeh; keep adequately hydrated, and move body by doing squats or taking walks to improve the blood circulation. |
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* Smell
Smell can become a problem due to changes in methods of garbage and excrement disposal. Prohibit all use of flush toilets in case of water stoppage, and think of ways of going to the bathroom without using water such as utilizing plastic bags and newspaper. And, in combination with ventilation and the use of deodorants, try to come up with ways to handle excrement so that the smell does not seep out (excrete into a plastic bag and tie the mouth of the bag tightly and think of a good place to store them, etc.). |
Activities
Instruct pregnant women and postpartum mothers living in the local area not to hesitate to ask family members, surrounding people and volunteers to help them with activities such as carrying water and other goods so that they do not have to strain their bodies. |
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Adjusting your cognition and supporting day-to-day life and health
