UK urges citizens to stockpile 3 days’ emergency supplies

The UK government has urged citizens to keep at least three days’ worth of essential supplies at home to prepare for emergencies such as cyberattacks, internet outages, extreme heat, droughts and wildfires. To promote preparedness, the government has launched a public awareness campaign called “Be Ready”.

The information was reported by Reuters on Friday, October 23. The government’s guidance emphasises keeping bottled water and non-perishable food at home so families can meet their basic needs if essential services, including electricity, water, telephone and internet connections, are disrupted during an emergency.

The call comes after the disclosure of security vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language prompted organisations worldwide to strengthen their cybersecurity defences. The flaws were reportedly exploited in attempts to launch millions of cyberattacks, temporarily disrupting several online services. The incident has highlighted how heavily people depend on everyday digital services and the importance of having contingency plans.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the country had often been slow to respond to emergencies in the past. Rather than waiting for a crisis to unfold before taking action, he said, the government must now prioritise advance preparation.

The government has also drawn up a new plan to tackle wildfires following a recent summer marked by record temperatures, drought and fires. The plan includes provisions for deploying military aircraft if necessary.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that the growing accessibility of artificial intelligence could lead to an increase in cyberattacks. He said AI was making it easier to identify weaknesses in conventional security systems. Hostile states, organised criminal groups and risks associated with climate change are also emerging as concerns for national security.

The government’s guidance recommends keeping more than food and water on hand. Other suggested essentials include torches, spare batteries, fully charged power banks, battery-powered or hand-crank radios, first-aid supplies, necessary medication and some cash. These items could prove useful if electricity supplies fail or electronic payments become unavailable.

The government said households do not need to buy everything at once. People can gradually build up their emergency supplies according to their financial circumstances. The aim, it said, is not to create panic but to help citizens prepare for emergencies and reduce pressure on rescue and emergency services.

The European Commission had previously advised citizens across its member states to maintain at least 72 hours’ worth of essential food, water, cash and other supplies. The UK’s new campaign similarly emphasises the importance of being prepared for emergencies.