By Karim Hammam
Sales of emergency supplies have surged in the UK after the government issued new preparedness guidance, but stockpiling for crises is already a routine practice in many countries facing extreme weather, natural disasters, or geopolitical tensions.
Sweden: A government booklet prompts action
In Stockholm, Andreas Wennerberg received a government booklet two years ago detailing what to stock for "crisis or war." He now keeps a crank radio, 10 litres of water, and about €200 in cash in his basement. He calls it a "wake-up call" but admits he has not followed the guidance fully, saying he feels secure and is "not that worried."
United States: A father's rotating pantry
Dan C, a physiotherapist in Maryland, began building supplies after becoming a father. He has spent roughly $6,000 on a stockpile that includes 150 gallons of water, chlorine dioxide tablets for water purification, and a "rotating pantry" of long-life foods like oats, quinoa, and peanut butter that are regularly cooked and replaced. His family of four has about three months of food, plus solar panels, a camping stove, a tent, and extensive medical supplies.
Japan: Annual updates after a deadly earthquake
Ayumi T in Tokyo has kept an emergency bag for years. After a 2024 earthquake on the Noto Peninsula killed hundreds, she expanded her kit. She follows Tokyo's 68-page disaster prevention guide and stores clothes, towels, menstrual products, disposable chopsticks, masks, and a portable toilet in a rucksack. Her family checks and updates the kit every New Year.
United States: Gradual preparation in Georgia
Nicole Bonds, a leadership coach in Atlanta, started preparing five years ago due to increasingly severe weather. Her motto is "don't panic, be prepared." She accumulates batteries, a power bank, first-aid supplies, rechargeable fans, blankets, and sleeping bags gradually to keep costs manageable, storing items under her bed and in kitchen cabinets.
Netherlands: Living below sea level
Michael Stuut in Hoorn, an area below sea level, worries about extreme weather and possible conflict. His supplies include a Starlink Mini satellite device, 120 litres of water, cash, a first-aid kit, and a generator. He created an app to track food expiry dates. Dutch authorities launched a 72-hour preparedness campaign in late 2025, similar to the UK's recent advice. Michael says being prepared is about being "the calm one when the lights go out."
