Various countries in Europe have started issuing emergency plans to their populations, encouraging them to stock up on food and supplies.
According to reports, England, Germany, and Sweden are all advising citizens to gather nonperishable foods, medications, and water. The reasoning for these recommendations includes potential risks such as war, cyberattacks, severe weather, and health crises.
The embassies of these countries in Washington, D.C., did not provide immediate comments on this matter.
One German government website, managed by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Homeland, suggests that beyond war, there are various peacetime scenarios that could result in food shortages. These scenarios may include animal diseases or significant accidents in large technical facilities. Citizens are advised to stockpile essential supplies for at least ten days, which includes ensuring two liters of liquid per person each day.
NEW: Britain has urged households to stock enough water, non-perishable food and medicine to be self-sufficient for three days, launching a new “Be Ready” preparedness campaign. Government guidance recommends about three liters of drinking water per person per day, food that needs no refrigeration or cooking, essential medications, a first-aid kit, a torch, a battery or wind-up radio, a charged power bank and cash. Officials cited severe storms, wildfires, cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions as the main risks, with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting pointing to “increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks” and scenarios such as supermarket payment systems going down. Germany has long gone further, recommending households keep emergency supplies for 10 days, including about two liters of liquid per person per day.
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The “Be Ready” campaign from the British government highlights that emergencies, from severe weather events to cyberattacks, can interrupt essential services. They emphasize that being prepared for three days can help while support systems are mobilized.
Along with their guidelines, the U.K. government has provided a checklist for citizens, which includes items like drinking water, nonperishable foods, essential medications, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a radio, a power bank, and cash.
In Sweden, authorities are explicitly warning citizens about the possibility of conflict occurring within their borders.
The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency has communicated to the populace that “war is being waged in our corner of the world” and that the current security climate is the most precarious since World War II. They point out threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, and misinformation that could adversely influence the country, stating that an armed attack on Sweden cannot be dismissed.
Moreover, the agency stresses the responsibility of citizens to prepare themselves, implying that many may have a civic duty to assist during times of war or conflict.
This unfolding situation in Europe coincides with the recent initiation of the Fortress America program by the Department of War, which aims to enhance military installations’ self-sufficiency for up to 90 days.
