T1D Care in the Wake of Typhoon Mangkhut

Typhoon Mangkhut, the most powerful tropical storm of 2018, slammed the Philippines, Hong Kong and Southern China.  In the Philippines, Mangkhut has left at least 88 people were killed. dozens remain missing, and many other injured as it cut a destructive streak across Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island. In southern China, more than 3.1 million people have been moved to safety and four have been reported dead. The storm has weakened but has left longterm damage.

Prepare a diabetes kit  in an easy-to-carry waterproof bag or container to hold the documents, information and supplies that you will want to have with you.

To keep in your kit

• Type of diabetes, medical conditions, allergies and previous surgeries and medications
• Current medications, doses and time you take them. Name,
  address and phone number of pharmacy
• Doctor’s name, phone number and address
• Phone numbers and email addresses for your family, friends and work.
  (Include out-of-town contacts.)
• Copy of your health insurance card and photo ID
• Letter from your diabetes care team with a list of your most recent diabetes
  medications, if possible.
• Copy of your most recent laboratory result, like A1C results
• Make, model and serial number of your insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Include pump manufacturer’s phone number in case you need to replace your device.
• Cash

Diabetes supplies

• Additional week supply (or more) of all medications, including insulin and glucagon, if prescribed. If you lose power and you have unused insulin, don’t throw it out!
• In an emergency, it is okay to use expired or non-refrigerated insulin.
• Protect your insulin pump from water.
• Supplies to check your blood sugar, like testing strips and lancets, extra batteries.
• Extra supplies for insulin pump or CGM
• Empty plastic bottle or sharps container to safely carry syringes, needles and lancets
• Items to treat high blood sugar such as pump supplies (infusion sets) and/or syringes
• Items to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), like juice, honey, glucose
• Cooler and reusable cold packs. Note: Do NOT use dry ice and do not freeze the medication

Other supplies to pack

• Two-day supply of non-perishable ready-to-go food, like: Pre-packaged tuna, beans, cheese and cracker snacks etc.
• Nuts or nut butters
• High-fiber/protein granola bars
• Dried fruits
• A three-day supply of bottled water (or more)
• Pen/pencil and note pad to record blood sugar, other test results and any new signs/symptoms
• First aid supplies like bandages, cotton swabs and antibiotic ointments or creams
• Extra clothing, including socks and undergarments
• Cell phone and charging supplies for phone and pump including battery pack
• Flashlight and batteries

Other recommendations

• Make sure that all your vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Choose a meeting place with your family in case you are separated.
  Write down location and include in your kit.
• Wear a medical ID or medical alert bracelet or other form of identification in case you are evacuated to a relief shelter.
• For children, write down name of school, address and phone number.

How to Help

• American Red Cross
• CARE
• Catholic Relief Services
• GlobalGiving
• Oxfam 
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 
• Philippine Red Cross 
• Relief International 
• Save the Children 
• Unicef 
• The United Methodist Committee on Relief 
• World Renew 
• Humanity & Inclusion

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For building a type 1 diabetes (T1D) care kit read The Diabetes Disaster Preparedness Plan. For additional reading, review A T1D’s Guide for Natural Disaster.