The UK has advised people to stock their pantries with food for three days in case of a catastrophe, joining many countries urging citizens to prepare for the failure of core systems. Such advice, once dismissed as the domain of preppers, has become more common in government circles as climate breakdown worsens extreme weather and geopolitical tensions make cyber-attacks and sabotage a regular occurrence. Oats, sardines and crisps: emergency foods to stockpile – and why you should share them. Read more. Even in countries with national strategic food stockpiles – a buffer the UK lacks – authorities have asked individuals to play their part in societal resilience. What actions do Britain’s allies – from the US and Europe to India and Australia – recommend people take before disaster strikes?
France
France calls the first 72 hours a “decisive period” in which people should monitor TV and radio news for official updates and keep an emergency kit close by in case they have to leave quickly. In addition to essentials such as food, water, medicine and cash, the guidelines recommend filling the go-bag with photocopies of documents, spare sets of house and car keys, and even games to pass the time. The strategy emphasizes the need for solidarity and calls on people to stay in close contact with loved ones, resist rumors and disinformation, and consider volunteering as a reservist or with civil protection organizations. Experts have warned that maintaining social cohesion is crucial during crises. View image in fullscreen. People around the world are being advised to have enough water to last several days. Photograph: Inna Dodor/Alamy
Germany
As far back as the 1960s, households in West Germany were encouraged to stockpile 14 days of canned food – a target that few seem to have reached despite cold war tensions. About a decade ago, the recommendation fell to 10 days, and guidance issued last October said households should do this “where possible,” describing even three days’ worth of supplies as “a big help.” Almost half of Germans fail to meet this threshold, a YouGov poll for the German Press Agency found in January. Guidelines from the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance recommend stockpiling durable foods that are ready to eat, in case cookers stop working, and foods that have short cooking times, allowing fuel for a camping stove to last for more days in a blackout. The checklist of items also features a hand-crank or solar-powered radio, a paper list of important phone numbers, and a well-stocked medicine cabinet.
US
The US emergency readiness campaign, launched in 2003, recommends people “make a plan today,” noting that members of a family may not be together when disaster strikes. Its toolkit foresees people storing enough water for each person to have one US gallon (3.8 liters) a day, both for drinking and sanitation, as well as items such as a whistle to call for help, a dust mask to filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting for shelter. Food supply advice varies between states, ranging from a few days in California to more than two weeks in Hawaii. The guidance suggests families rethink the contents of the kit each year as their needs change. It also calls for storing supplies at home, at work and in the car. View image in fullscreen. A display on emergency preparedness in Oregon. Photograph: Gina Kelly/Alamy
The Nordics
Nordic countries have ramped up emergency preparations since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Finnish advice describes home emergency supplies, including backup power and hygiene articles, as an “excellent basis” for many situations, while warning against hoarding. It recommends people have enough for at least three days and says these supplies can help even when mundane obstacles such as illness keep one from going to the shops. Secure silos of grain that make up Finland’s ample strategic reserve provide an extra layer of security, designed to feed the population for nine months if supply chains collapse or domestic production fView image in fullscreenTinned fish in a Coles supermarket in Melbourne. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The GuardianThe Swedish advice, which is framed around conflict but also covers pandemics and extreme weather, says people can “contribute to collective preparedness” if they can manage on their own for at least one week.It includes specific tips such as growing berries on windowsills, freezing bottles of water, which can function as ice packs if freezers break and then be drunk once the ice melts, and, if the toilet will not flush, disposing of excrement in plastic bags covered by sawdust.Finland is ready for the next crisis, with stockpiled food and 72-hour kits – Europe should be too | Miika IlomäkiRead moreThe Norwegian guidelines, which are offered in 30 languages, also encourage people to be able to “fend for themselves” for at least a week when systems such as the internet, mobile phone networks and bank payments are down.The country is particularly reliant on electricity for home heating, and recommends people store warm clothes, sleeping bags and candles, and keep fireplaces and chimneys clean.“In a crisis or war, people must be prepared for the fact that not everything will work as normal,” it warns. “The help will first go to those who need it most.”The Danish advice gives a sample three-day meal plan, which includes 500g of crispbread, 300g of canned mackerel in tomato sauce, 300g of chickpeas and kidney beans, 500g each of pasta and groats, and 1.5kg of tinned vegetables, as well as 100g of nuts and some vegetable oil.AustraliaThe Australian government can declare a national emergency but individual states and territories are mainly responsible for management.Most authorities recommend storing supplies to last three to seven days, though the New South Wales health service recommends planning for two weeks. Its “pantry list” recommends giving special consideration to family members with special needs, such as babies, pregnant women and those who are old or ill.Its fire services also have detailed guidance on preparing for bushfires, ranging from trimming vegetation to wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect the head from falling embers and respirator masks to avoid the worst of the smoke.View image in fullscreenHave a battery-operated torch to hand. Photograph: Tassya/AlamyIndiaIndia’s disaster preparedness checklist, prepared by the National Centre for Disease Control, recommends finding out which hazards threaten your home and finding safe spots for each type of disaster.It calls for storing at least a three-day supply of water and food, prioritising products that require little cooking or refrigeration, while avoiding very salty or spicy ones.The recommended emergency bag includes a battery-operated torch, chlorine tablets to purify water, a first aid book, and thick ropes. It recommends practising evacuation drills with all family members twice a year. The checklist also explicitly warns that the climate crisis is likely to lead to more frequent and severe disasters.UK checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Crisis Preparation Guides Around the World
Canned Mackerel HandCrank Radios Poop Bags
Canned Mackerel
1 Why is canned mackerel such a popular emergency food
Its cheap needs no cooking or refrigeration lasts for years and packs protein and omega3s You can eat it straight from the tin
2 How long does canned mackerel actually last
Typically 35 years from the packing date sometimes longer Check the bestby date on the can and store it somewhere cool and dry
3 Do I need to rotate my canned mackerel stock
Yes Use the first in first out rule eat the oldest cans first and replace them Otherwise youll find tenyearold cans you dont trust
4 Is it safe to eat canned mackerel cold straight from the can
Yes its fully cooked during canning Many people eat it on crackers or rice with no heating at all
5 Whats the difference between mackerel in water oil and tomato sauce
Waterpacked is leanest and most versatile Oilpacked has more calories and flavor Tomatosauce versions are common in many countries and add variety useful when morale matters
6 Can I eat canned mackerel every day during a crisis
Its fine shortterm but vary your diet when you can Very frequent large amounts of oily fish can expose you to accumulated contaminants and you still need carbs fiber and vitamins from other foods
7 How should I store canned mackerel
Cool dry dark place Avoid damp floors and freezing temperatures Once opened eat it within a day or two and keep it cold
8 What are common problems with canned mackerel in a crisis
Dented rusted or bulging cans strong smell that bothers people in small shelters and high salt content if youre rationing water
9 Any practical tips for using it
Keep a manual can opener Pair it with rice instant noodles or crackers The oil can be used for frying in a pinch
