European countries urge citizens to stock up on emergency food
The UK and the Netherlands have asked citizens to increase their home food supplies against potential disasters and cyberattacks.
Due to global crisis scenarios and supply chain risks, the UK and the Netherlands have called on their citizens to increase their food supplies against potential disasters, power outages, and cyberattacks.
Food Stock Alert in Europe
Global crisis scenarios and vulnerabilities in the supply chain have alarmed European countries. Following the UK government, the Netherlands also made a critical call to its citizens to increase their emergency food stocks at home against potential disasters, power outages, and cyberattacks.
Shelves Could Empty in Three Days
While official reports published warned that supermarket shelves could be completely emptied within three days in the event of a crisis, the public was asked to increase their food storage capacity to eight days.
Details of the Joint Report
Prepared jointly by the Clingendael Institute and Erasmus University at the request of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, the report pointed out that supermarket shelves could be completely emptied in just 3 days in the event of a potential cyberattack on supermarket systems.
Expert Recommendations and Subsidy Proposal
Experts called on citizens to increase their current 3-day emergency food stock at home to 8 days, choose practical products, and be prepared for infrastructure problems. Additionally, it was recommended that supermarkets and companies in the supply chain create emergency stocks and that these expenses be subsidized by the government.
UK's Similar Emergency Plan
This report brings to mind the UK, which recently published a similar emergency plan. The British government had also advised its citizens to keep emergency supplies such as long-life foods, bottled water, batteries, portable chargers, and pet food.
Warning to Avoid Panic Buying
The UK administration advised the public to avoid panic buying by spreading out their needs over time and emphasized that preparations should be made in a planned manner.