Key facts
- Government advises stockpiling three days' worth of food and water.
- Essential items include bottled water, non-perishable foods, wet wipes, a torch, and cash.
- Medication supplies should be increased for those who rely on prescriptions.
- France advises storing 72 hours of food; Germany recommends 10 days.
- Professor Lucy Easthope has advocated for such a campaign for 16 years.
The UK government has launched its "Be Ready" campaign, urging citizens to stockpile three days' worth of food, water, and other essential items to prepare for potential disruptions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized the increasing frequency of unexpected events, such as severe weather and cyber attacks, and the need for household resilience. Disaster planning expert Professor Lucy Easthope noted that the UK lags behind countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, and Germany in preparedness, with France recommending 72 hours of supplies and Germany suggesting 10 days. The campaign aims to ease the burden on emergency services by ensuring individuals can manage for a few days without essential services. While some individuals have already adopted such practices, others question the necessity and potential for 'scaremongering'.