23.10.2026 07:51
The UK government, with its 'Be Ready' campaign, advised citizens to stock at least 3 days' worth of food and water. The campaign aims to ensure households are prepared for natural disasters, cyber attacks, and critical infrastructure disruptions.
The UK government has advised citizens to stockpile enough food and water to last at least 3 days against extreme weather events, cyberattacks and state-sponsored security threats.
Under the "Be Ready" campaign launched by the UK government, households are meant to be prepared for natural disasters, cyberattacks and disruptions to critical infrastructure.
As part of the campaign, citizens have been advised to keep a total of 9 liters of drinking water for 3 days, at 3 liters per person per day, as well as non-perishable food items, first aid supplies, a flashlight, blankets, cash and a battery-powered radio.
It was stated that in emergencies, electricity, water, telephone and internet services may be interrupted, and supply chains may also experience disruptions.
"The threats are not hypothetical, they are real"
In a speech at a defense industry facility in the city of Telford, UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said the country needs to be better prepared for threats such as natural disasters, advanced cyberattacks and state-sponsored terrorism.
Warning that Russia and other hostile states could target critical infrastructure used in daily life, Streeting said, "These threats are not hypothetical, they are real. Increasingly, they are appearing here, not elsewhere."
Minister Streeting emphasized the importance of households and businesses planning in advance how they will respond to possible crises.
In an appearance on the BBC's "Question Time" program, Streeting also indicated that the government's aim was not to scare the public, saying, "We want people to be alert, but not to panic."
Stressing that the preparations are not aimed at a specific threat, Streeting noted that food and water stocks could be useful in situations such as power outages or payment systems not working due to a cyberattack.
UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis also stated that citizens taking simple precautions would enable security and rescue teams in emergencies to prioritize those who need more support.
Noting that the government aims to increase the country's resilience to crises with this initiative, Jarvis recalled that similar preparedness campaigns are being carried out in France, Ireland and the Netherlands.
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