Crisis preparedness: Danish authorities send messages to 4.5 million Danes about crisis and emergency preparedness
Make sure you have enough water, food, and medicine to last you three days. This is the message from the National Emergency Management Agency, which is currently being sent and will continue to be sent in the coming weeks to 4.5 million Danes over the age of 18 who are registered for digital mailing, according to TV2. Read more after the video.
This call comes after the National Disaster Management Agency and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen launched national crisis councils during Folkemødet in Bornholm about two months ago.
There is no military threat
According to Danish authorities, there is currently no direct military threat against Denmark. However, it is good to be prepared for any crisis, which could be, for example, weather-related or caused by a cyberattack, according to the head of the National Emergency Management Agency, Laila Reinberg, as reported by TV2: ”There can be crises of all kinds. They could be climate-related, or they could be what we call hybrid threats. So it is good to be as prepared as possible for what we would do in such a situation, and then the authorities can take care of those who might have more difficulty taking care of themselves and their families.”.
Is there an urgent need right now?
Although the message to secure three days' worth of supplies now arrives directly in the digital mailbox of Danes, there is no urgent need or rush to fill up the household stock: "It's not like you have to go out and buy different things in a panic. The important thing is to think about your own situation; are there children in the family or anyone with special needs that need to be taken into account?" according to Leila Renberg, as quoted by TV2.
The following are the authorities' recommendations for crisis preparedness and stockpiling the necessary supplies:
- Drinking water: Allow three liters of water per person per day. This means nine liters of water per person for three days. Water should also be provided for animals, such as pets, if any.
- Food: Make sure you have enough food for three days. Use foods that have a long shelf life and are easy to prepare.
- Medications and First Aid: Make sure you have the necessary medications for the family. Also, ensure you have a first aid kit and possibly iodine tablets for people under 40, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
- Hygiene items: These could be, for example, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, diapers, sanitary pads, tampons, or anything else related to the household.
- Warmth: This could be, for example, blankets, quilts and warm clothing.
- Other necessities: This could be a power bank or a mobile phone battery pack, for example. It's also a good idea to have a flashlight, batteries, physical payment cards (not just mobile phone cards), and perhaps some cash in the form of coins and small denomination bills.
- Communication: FM radio that is battery or solar powered, or possibly a car radio.
Source: National Emergency Management Agency
