Civil War Emergency Preparation: A Basic Guide

World peace has always been an elusive dream. Today is no different, with many nations developing or stockpiling nuclear weapons to use if they are threatened with a nuclear attack from another country. People throughout the world should not only be concerned about the threat of a swift and deadly nuclear war, they should also be prepared for signs of an impending clash between nuclear rivals.

A war - even a civil war - can break out in any country in the world under the right circumstances. The risk of civil war needs to be the concern of world leaders, as well as churches and people in general.

Many countries, particularly in Africa, have been numbed to the destruction of property and lives by civil war to the point that they are unable to act when violence rises up again. Civil war has displaced more than 25 million people in African countries and most of the refugees live in camps with little shelter from the elements. Like any war, a civil war is deadly and may affect most of a country's population, including children who are unable to fend for themselves. Civil war also generates human rights abuses by both the military and civilian combatants.

The tragic losses that have occurred in every civil war throughout history are almost beyond comprehension. For instance, in the Sudan, approximately four million Sudanese citizens were displaced and over two million people were killed. In Ethiopia, there are over 70 million people without sufficient food. There are millions more in Somalia struggling with the same fate. This is the reality of civil war and every person may have to prepare for it someday.

The fact is that every family should develop an emergency plan for any emergency that might occur. Families should not depend on local or federal government agencies for assistance because relocation of a family to a evacuation camp could result in separation.

As an alternative, families should think about taking survival courses that might include self-defense and gun firing lessons. While target shooting with a gun can become a family affair, children also need to be taught about the dangers that guns pose.

A family emergency first aid kit containing the basic medicines needed for ordinary illnesses such as colds, headaches, cuts and scratches. In addition to the basics, the kit should also contain the specific prescription medications each family member needs to maintain health.

For people who live in areas that are likely to experience civil war and other possible emergencies, it is advisable to put together another kit that includes sturdy shoes for each family member, maps, an all purpose knife (preferably a Swiss knife), basic toiletries and canned goods.

In the event of a civil war take the important items and a kit of basic necessities. In this situation there is always the chance that a family will be displaced and have to survive for up to several months of traveling to avoid violence.

The whole point is that while a civil war may not ever happen, it is better to prepare for the possibility and increase the chances for surviving such a chaotic emergency. A well outfitted emergency kit may cost as much as a thousand dollars and even it it's never used, it is well worth the cost.