UK Urges Citizens to Stockpile Food, Water

The UK government has launched a new initiative urging citizens to stockpile food and water and create a "household emergency plan" to better prepare for potential disasters.

The website, titled 'Prepare', was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and emphasizes personal responsibility in ensuring safety.

The initiative aims to bolster national resilience against a range of threats, including natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and pandemics. Speaking at the London Defense Conference at King's College, Dowden highlighted that "resilience begins at home."

The 'Prepare' website advises citizens to become familiar with local risks, sign up for alerts, learn basic first aid, and plan emergency escape routes.

It also recommends assembling an emergency kit with essentials such as batteries, a radio, wind-up flashlights, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, bottled water, and non-perishable food.

The World Health Organization suggests a minimum of 2.5-3 liters of drinking water per person per day, but the government recommends storing 10 liters per person per day for added comfort.

While the website doesn't specify food quantities, Dowden suggests being prepared for at least three days to handle events like localized flooding that could disrupt power and water supplies.

Polls indicate that only 15% of UK residents have emergency kits, and over 40% lack a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water. 

The government hopes this initiative will help citizens be more self-reliant during crises, allowing authorities to focus on those most in need.