Short answer. Brazil has no national recommendation with quantities. The most precise official guidance comes from the states: São Paulo's civil defence asks households to store drinking water and non-perishable food for three days 1, and Paraná's civil defence lists 2 litres of water per person per day in its personal emergency kit 2. The federal flood leaflet only asks for a quick-departure kit 3.
What does the federal government recommend?
Defesa Civil Nacional publishes no household supply list with quantities or a target duration. Its "Saiba como agir" flood leaflet says, in Portuguese: "Monte um kit com água potável, roupa e remédios, caso tenha que sair rápido da sua casa", meaning prepare a kit with drinking water, clothes and medicines in case you have to leave home quickly 3. It also advises keeping flashlights and batteries in working order 3. It gives no quantity and no number of days.
How many days does São Paulo recommend?
Three days. São Paulo's "SP Sempre Alerta" family emergency plan says to "store drinking water and non-perishable food for three days, clothes, shoes, medicines and prescribed medical equipment, and supplies for your pets" 1. The original wording is: "armazene água potável e alimentos não perecíveis para três dias, roupas, calçados, remédios e equipamentos médicos prescritos e suprimentos para seus animais de estimação" 1.
São Paulo also advises checking the expiry dates of kit contents every six months 1.
How much water per person?
Paraná's civil defence lists "Água – 2litros por pessoa, por dia": 2 litres of water per person per day 2. It is the only official water quantity we found in Brazilian sources. São Paulo gives a duration (three days) but no litre figure 1.
| Source | Duration | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Federal flood leaflet (MDR) | Not stated | "Drinking water", no quantity 3 |
| São Paulo state civil defence | 3 days 1 | Not stated |
| Paraná state civil defence | Not stated | 2 litres per person per day 2 |
How to store water safely, and how much other agencies advise, is covered in our guides on water per person and water storage containers.
What should the kit contain?
Paraná's list covers water, non-perishable food such as dried fruit, cereal bars and crackers, copies of documents, a first aid kit, medicines, cash, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, a whistle, a manual can opener, a sleeping bag or blanket per person, and supplies for babies and pets 2. São Paulo adds clothes, shoes, prescribed medical equipment, extra batteries and phone chargers 1. See the full list, line by line, on our Brazil kit page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a national emergency kit rule in Brazil?
No. The federal flood leaflet asks only for a kit with drinking water, clothes and medicines, without quantities 3. Quantities come from state civil defence agencies 12.
How long should my supplies last in Brazil?
São Paulo recommends three days of drinking water and non-perishable food 1. Other states may publish their own advice; check your state civil defence.
How often should I check my kit?
São Paulo advises checking expiry dates every six months 1. Our guide on food shelf life helps plan rotation.
Should I prepare for more than three days?
Brazilian official sources stop at three days. For a longer stock, see our guide on two weeks of supplies, which explains what other agencies recommend.
Sources
- Defesa Civil do Estado de São Paulo — Plano familiar de emergência - SP Sempre Alerta — https://www.spsemprealerta.sp.gov.br/orientacoes/plano-familiar-de-emergencia/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Coordenadoria Estadual da Defesa Civil do Paraná — Kit de Emergência pessoal — https://www.defesacivil.pr.gov.br/Pagina/Kit-de-Emergencia-pessoal (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministério do Desenvolvimento Regional (MDR) – Secretaria Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil — Como agir? Inundações (Saiba como agir) — https://www.gov.br/mdr/pt-br/assuntos/protecao-e-defesa-civil/ComoagirInundaesMDR.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
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Sources
- Defesa Civil do Estado de São Paulo · Plano familiar de emergência - SP Sempre Alerta checked 2026-10-20
- Coordenadoria Estadual da Defesa Civil do Paraná · Kit de Emergência pessoal checked 2026-10-20
- Ministério do Desenvolvimento Regional (MDR) – Secretaria Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil · Como agir? Inundações (Saiba como agir) checked 2026-10-20