2008 Volume 66 Issue 1 Pages 31-37
A nationwide survey was conducted among the registered dietitians (RDs) of prefectural health centers to determine their preparedness for disasters within the municipalities they serve. The return rate was 70.2% (n=278). It was found that RDs understood details of the plans for stockpiling emergency food rations for 62.2% (707 out of 1, 137) of the municipalities under their jurisdiction. Of the 320 municipalities who had made plans for emergency stores, only 37.2% had actually established such stores.
To manage the problem of budgeting for food stores, a system based on the most efficient use of resources should be created to help change the perception of such food stores. The number of locations where the most vulnerable residents of communities have not yet received advice or instruction about individual household preparedness from either prefectural or municipal health centers is in excess of 70%. Since it is unrealistic to provide administrative assistance to all individuals during a disaster, advice and instruction should be given under normal conditions to inform and educate each resident in advance of a disaster.
