Short answer. Colombia's national disaster agency UNGRD tells households to prepare an emergency kit "with a reserve for at least 5 days" 1. Its checklist gives no litres-per-person figure for water: it asks for drinking water in a large, hermetically sealed bottle, renewed every year 1. UNGRD pairs the kit with a family plan: evacuation routes, a meeting point, a waiting time of up to 72 hours and assigned tasks 1.
How many days should the reserve cover?
At least 5 days. UNGRD's Guía de preparativos ante sismo (first edition, November 2024) states: "Recuerde preparar el kit pensando en una reserva para al menos 5 días" ("Remember to prepare the kit with a reserve of at least 5 days in mind") 1. The 5-day figure applies explicitly to non-perishable food such as grains and canned goods 1.
How much water does UNGRD recommend?
UNGRD publishes no litres-per-person figure. The checklist asks for drinking water in a large, hermetically sealed bottle, and adds: "Se sugiere renovar este recurso anualmente" ("It is suggested to renew this supply every year") 1. The kit also includes bags or containers to store liquids such as rainwater, and a small pot to boil water or cook 1.
Because no official quantity exists for Colombia, many households use international benchmarks when sizing their stock. Our guide how much water per person compares the figures published by other agencies, and water storage containers covers how to store it.
What else goes in the reserve?
The UNGRD list covers food and water, cooking and eating utensils, a first aid kit, essential medicines with a copy of the prescription and medical history, vaccination cards, hygiene items, a whistle, a flashlight, an AM-FM radio with spare batteries, clothing, light blankets, raincoats, copies of keys and documents, cash, and items for children 1. The full list is on our Colombia kit page.
What is in the UNGRD family plan?
The family plan section asks households to agree in advance on:
- evacuation routes;
- a meeting point;
- a waiting time at that point of up to 72 hours;
- tasks assigned to each family member 1.
The guide also advises families with members who have hearing disabilities to use vibrating, strobe or light alarms 1, and includes a separate emergency kit checklist for pets 1. See our guides on the family plan, pets and vulnerable people.
How often should the kit be checked?
UNGRD says to review kits periodically and replace expired items, and to renew the bottled water every year 1. Our guide on food shelf life helps plan rotation.
Frequently asked questions
Is 72 hours enough in Colombia?
UNGRD asks for a kit with a reserve for at least 5 days 1. The 72-hour figure in its guidance is the waiting time at the family meeting point, not the size of the reserve 1.
Does Colombia say how many litres of water per person?
No. The official checklist asks for sealed bottled water, renewed every year, without a quantity 1.
Where does this guidance come from?
From UNGRD's Guía de preparativos ante sismo, first edition, Bogotá, November 2024, the main official household preparedness booklet 1.
Sources
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) — Guía de preparativos ante sismo — https://portal.gestiondelriesgo.gov.co/Documents/Guias/Guia-sismos-digital-f%20%285%29%20%282%29.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) · Guía de preparativos ante sismo checked 2026-10-20