Abstract

PENALVER DUPONT, Carolina. Food, nutrition in emergencies and natural disasters in Venezuela between 1999-2021. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2022, vol.35, n.1, pp.16-29.  Epub Jan 24, 2024. ISSN 0798-0752.  https://doi.org/10.54624/2022.35.1.003.

Natural events directly affect people’s diet and nutrition. The lived experiences of emergencies and natural disasters with nutritional intervention (1999-2021) were presented as input and guidance. This is a descriptive study of printed and electronic documents were reviewed and synthesized. General aspects and the nutritional intervention are described. A logistic-nutritional system of food acquisition and handling was established with a food strategy, to achieve survival, restoration, health maintenance and morale. The logistic-nutritional plan had 3 phases: food distribution (momentary portions, combo bags and emergency baskets, emergency menu), quality control of food and inventories, channeling of the use of donated food, design and distribution of hot meals in rescue camps and medical personnel in assistance operations. National inspections were carried out, health education and nutritional recommendations were provided, cross-sectional food surveys were carried out with a 24-hour reminder and percentage of intake effectiveness. Vargas was attended: 70,000 victims in 360 national centers, food movement 2,532 t. monthly, Guasdualito: 19,621 victims and 709.72 t. (101 centers), Mérida: 14,000 victims and 750 t. (90 centers). The care was satisfactory according to inspections and surveys, knowing more about food and nutrition supplied. Nutritional and health education as the recommendations were paramount, to protect health, maintain healthy practices and behaviors. Adequate food was provided in a timely manner to the population affected in all natural events (floods, COVID-19).

Keywords : emergencies and natural disasters; nutritional logistics system; food strategy.

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