#18,968
`Denk Voruit' is Dutch for `Think Ahead', and over the next few weeks every household in the Netherlands is expected to receive a government sponsored booklet on how to survive an emergency (e.g. extreme weather, cyberattacks, terrorist attack, even armed conflict, etc.).
While this sort of messaging is fairly common here in the United States (see September is National Preparedness Month), until recently it has been rarely discussed in Europe.
But in the aftermath of the deadliest pandemic in a century - and with a major war continuing in Europe, increasingly severe weather, and escalating cyber threats - suddenly the safety net provided by local governments seems less reliable.
Eight months ago the EU made headlines after calling for all households to prepare for a wide array of disasters (see excerpts below).What type of crises is the EU preparing for?
The EU is preparing for a broad spectrum of risks and threats, encompassing both natural and human-induced disasters. This includes:
- Natural disasters: floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.
- Human-induced disasters: industrial accidents, technological failures, and pandemics.
- Hybrid threats: cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), and sabotage of critical infrastructure.
- Geopolitical crises: armed conflicts, including the possibility of armed aggression against Member States.
(SNIP)
In which areas will the EU focus its efforts to enhance population preparedness?
The EU will focus its efforts on enhancing population preparedness working with Member States, with a particular emphasis on fostering a culture of resilience at national and local level. This includes improving public awareness of risks through targeted information campaigns, educational programs, and accessible online resources.
Efforts will also concentrate on empowering citizens to take proactive measures to prepare for crises, such as developing household emergency plans and stockpiling essential supplies. The EU will also support the development of effective public warning and crisis communication systems by Member States to reach all citizens, regardless of their location, language, or circumstances.
Many of the EU's recommendations for household preparedness mirror longstanding advice by FEMA for Americans, but despite seeing dozens of regional disasters each year, many Americans remain underprepared.
In the Netherlands, we almost always have electricity, water and internet. But in an emergency, such as extreme weather, war or a major outage, those supplies could suddenly fail. It might take a little while for help to arrive. So it’s smart to be properly prepared. That requires action from everyone: from the government, but also from you and those around you. By preparing properly, you can help yourself and others if the need arises. This website and the 'Information booklet: prepare for an emergency situation' tells you how to do that.
What you do today makes us stronger tomorrow. Thinking ahead isn't a fearful reaction; it prevents panic. Those who are prepared are stronger, keep a cool head, and can also make a difference for others. And that starts at home: make an emergency kit, make an emergency plan, talk about it, and help each other.
The sobering reality is - even in Europe - during a major disaster a government's response may be limited, and you and your loved ones may be on your own for the first few days (possibly longer).
Having ridden through more than a few hurricanes, my `standard advice' is that everyone should strive to have the ability to withstand 7 to 10 days without power and water.
Recommended preps include:
- A battery operated NWS Emergency Radio to find out what was going on, and to get vital instructions from emergency officials
- A decent first-aid kit, so that you can treat injuries
- Enough non-perishable food and water on hand to feed and hydrate your family (including pets) for the duration
- A way to provide light when the grid is down.
- A way to cook safely without electricity
- A way to purify or filter water
- A way to handle basic sanitation and waste disposal.
- A way to stay cool (fans) or warm when the power is out.
- A small supply of cash to use in case credit/debit machines are not working
- An emergency plan, including meeting places, emergency out-of-state contact numbers, a disaster buddy, and in case you must evacuate, a bug-out bag
- Spare supply of essential prescription medicines that you or your family may need
- A way to entertain yourself, or your kids, during a prolonged blackout
Being prepared doesn't guarantee you and your loved ones will come through a major disaster unscathed. But it is relatively cheap insurance, and when things do go sideways, it can substantially improve your chances.
For some past blogs on personal and household preparedness, you may wish to revisit:
Emergency Preparedness: A Medicine For The Melancholy
The Gift of Preparedness 2024
Instead of Cursing The Darkness
