“Be ready to manage without electricity and water for three days.” Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen
The statement made by the Defense Minister last weekend sent shockwaves into society and woke many people up to the reality of war in Europe. Why now? Well, the question should be, why wait until now? Our Nordic neighbors, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, started to prepare their populations for crisis situations long ago.
A reason for starting now could be the increase in the number and intensity of cyberattacks. The Center for Cyber Security (CFCS) upgraded the risk for destructive cyberattacks from low to medium. Another reason could be that Denmark is seen by the Russians as the weakest link in NATO’s northern flank and it’s especially exposed to hybrid threats.
Work is underway to create a national emergency plan and major investments will be made in our operational capabilities. However, the government and emergency services would like people to also prepare for crisis situations. Here is the checklist:
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9 liters of water per person + more if you have pets/livestock
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Food for three days that is long-lasting and easy to prepare
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First aid kit, iodine tablets, medicine (expect supply chains to be interrupted so stock up if you depend on them)
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Hygiene articles
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Blankets, duvets, warm clothes (ensure you can get warm without access to district heating)
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Power banks, flashlight, batteries, cash/other valuable and tradeable items, candles and matches
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Simulate emergency situations – no electricity, no heat, no water, empty stores, flooding, fire, the need to leave house in a hurry – and see what you need to consider
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Make a preparation plan. Talk to your neighbors and friends, and coordinate potential emergency responses together.
People have already answered the call from the Defense Minister. The demand for water canisters, portable stoves, first aid kits and emergency radios at Spejder Sport “exploded.” ReadyBox has also seen increased demand for ready-made package solutions with emergency equipment. However, do not jump at buying everything you need at once. Be patient in your purchases so as not to drive up costs.
Prepare, as it is important for our common resilience in the face of crisis. However, do not be afraid. As our Prime Minister says, “Denmark is still a safe and secure country,” and this is only an exercise, an expression of timely care.
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