UK Be Ready Campaign Urges Households to Stockpile Food and Water for 72 Hours

Stockpiling, but why now

Governments across multiple countries have urged households to stockpile food and water for potential disruptions tied to war, cyberattacks, and threats to critical infrastructure. The EU’s Union Preparedness Strategy, presented in March 2025, set an objective to promote basic provisions for at least 72 hours in case of an emergency, and a press release framed the need as extending from “hybrid and cybersecurity threats” to climate change and natural disasters. The United Kingdom launched the Be Ready campaign to keep households self-sufficient for at least three days, and the campaign recommended storing bottled water and non-perishable foods along with items such as a flashlight, batteries, a radio, and a portable charger for phones.

The United States guidance described in the coverage included Dan Bongino, former Deputy Director of the FBI, urging the public to prepare reserves for at least three days, including an emergency radio, batteries, long-lasting foods, and means to collect and filter rainwater. The SOFX coverage tied the broader push to threats including war, cyber-attacks, and the climate crisis, while noting that advisories often advise households to stock enough essentials to last at least 72 hours or three days without outside assistance.

Reporting for this sectionGrupo AnimalSOFX

What governments tell people

The United Kingdom’s Be Ready guidance advised households to endure at least 72 hours without essential services and anticipated interruptions to electricity, drinking water, telecommunications, and internet connectivity. The French government asked citizens to prepare an emergency kit for the first 72 hours, and the guidance described that period as crucial for dealing with an emergency. Germany’s recommendations urged residents to maintain provisions to cope with up to ten days of emergency, and the guide included a reserve of at least 14 liters of water per person per week.

Taiwan’s government published recommendations that included storing food and supplies for at least seven days, preparing an emergency backpack, and keeping medicines and personal documents available. In the United Kingdom, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Newsnight that it was “encouraging that people are taking practical steps to be ready,” and he said “Having a few everyday essentials at home” helps households prepare for disruption.

Reporting for this sectionImagen RadioThe Independent

Timeframes, risks, and plans

The Independent described the Be Ready campaign as a three-year drive, and it said the updated advice covered threats such as flooding and wildfires alongside disruption from cyber attacks and emergencies.

The British guidance emphasized that people should put together an emergency kit for a short-term incident lasting three days, including bottled water and enough bottled water for three days, with each person needing about 3 litres for drinking a day.

The Imagen Radio coverage said the alerts generated concern about escalation of international conflicts, but it also stated that the measures circulated by the countries do not announce the start of a war nor confirm that a third world war is imminent.

The SOFX coverage added that former SEAL Team commander and SOFX newsletter founder Sam Havelock recommended keeping at least two weeks of essential supplies, one month’s cash, and physical precious metals for emergencies.

The CNN segment framed the issue as a question of whether there was an immediate danger or whether it was “simply a matter of being prepared,” and it brought in former U.S. Cybersecurity Czar Richard Clarke to break down the threats.

Reporting for this sectionThe IndependentCNN