To mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a new guide on disaster preparedness for family caregivers was presented in Vienna yesterday. The document was produced by Alles Clara, together with DCNA, the Austrian Interest Group of Family Caregivers, and Lobby4Kids.

The document currently comprises 14 pages and will be continuously expanded. It is based on the recommendations of Civil Protection Austria and has been supplemented with key aspects specifically relevant to family caregivers.

The guide is available free of charge here. It contains essential information and practical checklists for family caregivers on topics such as emergency planning, emergency kits, food supplies, and household medicine cabinets. Insights and experiences from the 2024 flood event were also discussed and incorporated.

DCNA researcher Susanna Wernhart provided a brief overview of current scientific findings on climate-related disasters and their implications for vulnerable groups during the presentation. DCNA's managing director Christian Resch says: 

"Disaster preparedness begins in everyday life – especially where people bear responsibility for others. Family caregivers perform enormous tasks every day, and they, in particular, need clear guidance in times of crisis. With this guide, we raise awareness and simultaneously provide tools for effectively implementing preparedness at home."

Learn more about the guide here.

Photo credit: ERSTE Stiftung/APA-Fotoservice/Tanzer