Study of Emergency Food Provision and Nutrient Intake During a Disaster

Focusing on the July 18, 1953 Flood in Gobo Plain

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the food supply and nutrient intake on the basis of the food material records of evacuation centers after the flood that hit Wakayama Prefecture on July 18, 1953. The data obtained from the records was analyzed and compared with that from the National Nutrition Survey in 1953 and the nutritional intake situation during a recent disaster, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake, to obtain suggestions on measures to ensure food supply for future disasters.
The amount of rice supplied per person in each of the six former municipalities of Gobo City was approximately 331-350 g/day, which was equivalent to the average energy intake per person according to the National Nutrition Survey conducted in 1953. The estimated daily nutrient intake per person was as follows: energy 1,278-1,473 kcal, protein 23.1-35.8 g, lipids 3.5-5.7 g, and carbohydrates 275.3-307.4 g. More than 90% of the energy and carbohydrate intake after the July 18 flood was from rice in all but one of the villages and towns. Furthermore, we estimated that at least 58% of the evacuees’ protein intake was from rice, although protein intake varied among the municipalities.
The abovementioned research findings showed that rice was important for not only securing energy but also realizing sufficient protein intake from the emergency food provision during and after the flood. Past experiences suggest the importance of stockpiling and utilizing rice to ensure adequate energy and protein intake in the event of a disaster.