Smiths' healthcare business, reckoned to be worth more than 2 billion, supplies kit to hospitals and the emergency services and contributed more than a third of group profits last year.

Weighing only 9 kg it includes 2 aerial vehicles, compact ground control station, 2 spare power supply kits and backpack container used for transportation.

For evacuation, a disaster supplies kit may be prepared and for sheltering purposes a stockpile of supplies may be created.

He also urged residents to prepare emergency supply kits of flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, nonperishable foods, water and disposable utensils.

The organisation decided to supply kits to 5,000 families to enable them to lead a normal life.