UK Government Urges Families to Prepare for Emergencies Amid Rising Global Threats
British families are being advised to stockpile three days’ worth of food and water to enhance national “resilience” in the face of escalating threats from countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This call to action comes from UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, who is urging the public to plan for potential disruptions to key services due to prolonged power cuts, cyber attacks, and flooding.
In a recent speech, Dowden emphasized the need for households to build “personal resilience” by preparing for emergencies. This includes stocking up on essential items like candles, torches, and wind-up radios, which he referred to as “analogue capabilities” during a 2023 address. Now, he is encouraging families to ensure they have enough food and water to survive for at least three days without needing to leave their homes .
Whitehall sources have assured that this advice is not intended to incite a survivalist mentality in the UK. One source described Dowden’s recommendations as “common sense” rather than “alarmist,” aiming to help households be better prepared without causing unnecessary panic. The government hopes that if families are well-prepared for crises, the pressure on emergency services will be reduced, and the likelihood of panic-buying, as witnessed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be minimized .
Retailers have echoed this sentiment, warning against panic buying and advising people to gradually build their emergency kits. Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, expressed confidence that retailers could handle future challenges as they did during the pandemic. He noted that many households might already have sufficient non-perishable food items in their cupboards, emphasizing that it is sensible to maintain a modest additional supply at home.
This initiative mirrors similar measures in other countries like Finland, where citizens are encouraged to prepare for emergencies through the “72-hour concept.” This strategy involves having enough supplies to last three days in case of disruptions to societal services, encouraging people to stay indoors and await instructions over the radio .
The renewed focus on emergency preparedness comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned that Britain faces some of its most perilous years ahead, citing a new “axis of anti-western states” and other emerging threats such as cyberattacks and disruptions to space systems affecting GPS signals. The government’s proactive stance is aimed at ensuring that the UK population is ready to face these challenges head-on.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies and the recommended survival kit items, visit the government’s official preparedness website at prepare.campaign.gov.uk
Author D.A.
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