When disaster hits, every second counts. Just as the need for aid increases, however, delivering it becomes incredibly challenging — with roads damaged, supply chains disrupted and circumstances shifting rapidly. Families who receive aid can only carry so many items, making it difficult for them to get the support they need.

To deliver essential support to communities faster, CARE has developed the CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies, a compact disaster kit with almost 40 essential items for people affected by disaster. The CARE PACKAGE® can help a family of four meet their shelter, kitchen, water and hygiene needs for an entire month. It combines light, customisable kits in a portable container that can be positioned ahead of time in areas prone to disasters.

“The CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies is designed to support families at the early stage of an emergency. It is not just a collection of supplies but a package full of hope.”

— Dilip Niroula, Deputy Director of Humanitarian Operations at CARE USA

What it is

The CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies is a lightweight, pre‑positioned kit with almost 40 essentials produced and distributed locally to help a family of four survive and recover when every second counts. By consolidating critical items into a single, compact package, the design reduces the burden of lining up for different kits for shelter, hygiene or household supplies.

“It reduces the time that you spend outside queuing for other support. What communities want is the entire package, which can actually help them.”

— Mona Sherpa, CARE Nepal country director

What’s in it

The CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies contains up to 40 carefully selected items packed inside three lightweight, waterproof bags. The supplies create five different kits designed to help a family of four survive the first month after disaster strikes:
  1. A shelter kit with fireproof tarps and ropes for setting up a temporary shelter 
  2. A wash kit with hygiene supplies and containers for portable bathing 
  3. A kitchen kit with pots and a portable stove 
  4. A dignity kit with sanitary pads and undergarments 
  5. An energy kit with a solar charger and emergency light 
 

How it started

The first ever CARE Packages were sent from the US to Europe after the Second World War, containing food and essential supplies. Each package contained enough food to provide a meal for 10 people, and included tinned meat, margarine, milk powder and chocolate.

Over the years, the contents of CARE Packages have adapted and evolved according to changing context, needs and technological developments — with items ranging from hygiene kits and shelter equipment, to solar lights and cooking stoves.

The CARE PACKAGE® in action

CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies coordination for distribution to communities affected by the recent devastating floods in Nepal.

CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies coordination for distribution to communities affected by the recent devastating floods in Nepal.

Delivery of CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies in Balut Island, as part of the emergency response supporting families affected by the Philippines 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

In Malawi, Samuel demonstrates how the solar charger in the CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies is used to charge the emergency light. Behind Samuel, the tarp included in the kit is used as a shelter.

Donate a CARE PACKAGE®

With a cost of AUD $300 per unit, the CARE PACKAGE® for Emergencies can help a family of four meet their shelter, kitchen, water and hygiene needs for an entire month. To send a CARE PACKAGE®, donate to our Global Emergency Fund.

Photos: © CARE, © CARE Nepal and © CARE Malawi

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