Emergency Food Supplies and Packaging Technology as Solutions for Food Security During Natural Disasters

Abstract

Natural disasters significantly disrupt food systems and threaten food security for affected population. This literature review examines current practices, standards, and in the distribution of emergency food aid to disaster victims. A systematic review was conducted using open-access journals published between 2015 and 2025, focusing on nutritional standards, food technology innovations, distribution logistics, and post-disaster food security strategies. This review identified key finding, including recommending 2,100 kcal per person per day, the emergence of intermediate-moisture food technologies and active to extend shelf life, as well as significant disparities in access to food in the aftermath of disasters. Urban agriculture and community gardens were found to contribute substantially to long-term food security, with the potential to provide 15–30% self-sufficiency in vegetables. Key challenges include damage to infrastructure affecting distribution, inadequate coordination coordination among aid agencies, and insufficient consideration of cultural food preferences. This study concludes that effective emergency food assistance requires the integration of international nutritional standards, technological innovations in food, equitable distribution systems, and sustainable recovery strategies that build long-term food security in disaster-prone communities.