Governments on six continents are now telling people to keep emergency supplies at home. A new map shows exactly which countries have issued the warning.
Governments in 33 countries are now telling people to keep food, water and emergency supplies at home, and the list keeps getting longer. A map put together by Newsweek shows how far the advice has spread. It covers six continents, from the US and UK to Japan, India and Brazil.
The reasons vary. Some governments are worried about extreme weather or cyberattacks. Others are worried about war.
The map came out the same week the Pentagon reportedly unveiled their new plan, called FORTRESS, to keep US military bases running for 90 days without any civilian infrastructure. Days earlier, former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino had urged Americans to start stockpiling. “Get your stuff today. Please. Do it for your family,” he said.
What countries are on the list
In North America, the US, Canada and Mexico have all issued guidance. FEMA recommends having at least three days of supplies, and ideally up to two weeks.
Europe makes up more than half the list. The UK, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia are all on it.
The UK is one of the newest additions, with experts warning that Britain is “lightyears behind” its neighbors.
In Asia, it’s Japan, Taiwan, Israel, India, the Philippines and Singapore. Australia and New Zealand are on the list too, along with South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Argentina.
Japan’s disaster management minister, Goshi Hosono, has asked people to keep at least three days’ worth of food, water and toiletries at home, and a week’s worth if they can.
Why now?
Every country has its own reasons for why. Japan is bracing for a possible major earthquake. The Baltic and Nordic countries are watching Russia. The UK points to storms, cyberattacks and the risk of infrastructure failing. And the US is in a conflict with Iran.
Some of the advice, on the other hand, isn’t new. Finland and Sweden, for example, have told households to be ready for emergencies for years.
What are the items to keep at home
The details differ from country to country, but most lists cover the same basics:
One gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days. Non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Flashlights, spare batteries, a first aid kit and power banks. A week’s supply of any prescription medication.
Bongino also suggested a way to collect rainwater and some water filtration tablets, because stored water eventually runs out.
“The best day of your life, you don’t need them,” he said. “The worst day in your life is your kids asking where the water is.”
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