Britainupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 12 October 2016UK Government Urges Households To Stock Three Days Of Food And Water Under “Be Ready”
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UK urges households to stock three days of food and water. Be Ready campaign warns of disruptions from weather, cyberattacks, and services.
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Be Ready for three days
The British government urged households to prepare for emergencies by keeping a domestic stock of food, water, and essential supplies for three days under its “Be Ready” campaign. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in statements carried by the BBC that he keeps food supplies at home in anticipation of crises, noting beans and soup in his pantry, along with Twinkies crackers that he said he could not go on without for long. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stressed the need for individuals and businesses to be better prepared to deal with natural disasters, cyberattacks, and terrorism funded by states.
The government list recommends providing 9 liters of water per person, enough for 3 days, along with non-perishable foods such as canned meats, vegetables, and dried fruits. The guidance also extends beyond food and water to include a flashlight, batteries, a blanket, and a radio able to receive FM frequencies, either on batteries or with a hand-crank, as well as a fully charged portable battery for electronic devices.
Alert, not alarmed
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the government wants people to be “alert but not panicked,” stressing that there was no specific incident in mind for officials when issuing these recommendations. Sky News said Streeting urged Britons to stay “vigilant without panicking,” while he also framed the advice around increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and disruption to essential supply chains caused by hostile state actors or terrorists. BBC said Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the public that unexpected events "seem to becoming more common" and everyone should have "those supplies in the house to get you through those moments".
Professor Lucy Easthope said the goal of asking household to prepare is to make it easier for emergency service to cope, and she warned the UK is “light years” behind neighbours when it comes to preparing for major disruption. Bridgette Clamp told Radio 5 Live that she has stocked up on "lots of tinned goods" as well as "flour, yeast and everything to bake bread".
Checklist and wider risks
The “Be Ready” checklist urged households to include a battery-powered FM radio, a fully charged power bank, cash, copies of identification and other documents, and a first-aid kit. The government guidance also recommended hand sanitizer, wet wipes, blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing, and it included infant formula, diapers, and wet wipes. Al-Jazeera Net linked the campaign to warnings about disturbances that could affect essential services and supply chains, including extreme weather events, cyberattacks, and the potential disruption of food, water, electricity, and communications supplies.
“A battery-powered FM radio (or one with a charging option).”
The BBC described the campaign as warning that severe weather and cyber attacks could disrupt essential services, and it said British households need to make sure they have what they need to get through a rocky few days. Sky News said the advice was revealed on 22 October and described it as the first stage of a three-year campaign aimed at emergencies including cyberattacks, severe weather, and disruption to essential services.