The humanitarian daily ration (HDR) is a small non-perishable package designed to provide one day’s food supply to anyone, regardless of religious dietary restrictions. Just don’t make it the same colour as a bomb when you airdrop it.

Junglecat [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Is anyone else thinking of lembas now? No? Just me?
The HDR can be air-dropped without a parachute, which makes sense for easy delivery in isolated areas. They screwed up a bit in Afghanistan, though: the original packaging was the same colour as American cluster bombs, which were also dropped without a parachute. So, um, awkward.
Related to the HDR is the American “Meal, Ready-to-Eat” field ration, which is used by US army personnel, and the Canadian Individual Meal Pack, which I am delighted to report can sometimes contain poutine and/or maple syrup.
Categories: Food & agriculture Military Politics & law Sciences
The Generalist
I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and am curious about most things.
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