Think Ahead

We live in freedom and security. But there are threats that threaten our security. In several places in the world it is already unsafe. Also close by, think of the war in Ukraine. 

It is not war in the Netherlands, but it is not peace either. Other countries are trying to influence our country. For example, through the Internet, by spreading fake news. But also by attacking important systems. They are already collecting information about our power cables, Internet connections and gas pipes, so they can damage them. 

Threats from extreme weather are also more common, such as prolonged heat, flooding and heavy rainfall. 

Because of all these dangers, we may face emergencies. That's why it's important to be prepared. Especially now. Not because we are afraid, but to stand strong together.

If systems fail throughout the Netherlands, not everything comes back on at the same time. A lot is unclear and emergency services cannot be everywhere at the same time. That is why it is important that you yourself are well prepared.

Of course, an emergency can last longer than 72 hours. But during that time, the government can better organize help and disseminate up-to-date information.

An emergency is an unexpected event. In an emergency, things don't work the way we are used to for an extended period of time. For example, there is no electricity, water or internet for days. The heating breaks down, you can no longer use debit cards, make phone calls or receive important information about what is going on. That's why it's important to be able to take care of yourself and your family or household in the first 72 hours.

In three steps, you can prepare for an emergency. Just like more and more people in the Netherlands who are taking action. You don't have to do everything at once. But it is important that you start now. What you do today will make us stronger tomorrow.

Step 1: Make an emergency kit

With an emergency kit, you'll be well prepared to last the first 72 hours of an emergency at home. Putting together an emergency kit is easier than you think. Many things you probably already have at home: bottles of water, perishable food, a flashlight with batteries, a power bank, a small first aid kit, cash, a blanket. Look carefully at your own situation and what you yourself need extra. Think about baby food or medicine. 

Step 2: Create an emergency plan

An emergency situation often comes unexpectedly. And it is hard to predict how the situation will turn out. That is why it is nice if you make clear arrangements in advance with the people around you. This can be done with an emergency plan. In it you write down, for example, how you can reach or meet each other and who needs extra help. 

Step 3: Talk to each other and help each other

People may be unsure or become concerned about a possible emergency. Or someone may need help preparing. By talking to each other, you hear how others are coping and can help each other. Maybe someone hasn't thought about what to do at all, and you can help them get started. Or maybe you don't know where to start and it helps if someone thinks along.

In an emergency, everyday amenities may become unavailable. Think power, water and full shelves in stores. 

Outages of daily facilities can have multiple causes. For example, floods, wildfires, extreme weather, cyber attacks, espionage or sabotage. In extreme situations, you can easily be without for several days, and proper help can take longer to arrive. 

You can prepare by putting together an emergency kit, for example. With an emergency kit, you are well prepared for the first 72 hours after a disaster or emergency. Putting together an emergency kit is easier than you think. You probably already have most of the items in your home. 

Check www.denkvooruit.nl to see what is included in an emergency kit. Consider enough water (4 to 5 liters p.p., enough food, radio, flashlight, candles, etc.). 

Health also make sure you have some cash on hand. How much. Advice for an emergency kit for the first 72 hours after a disaster or emergency is: 70 euros for an adult and 30 euros for a child. It is handy to have several bills and coins. That way you can pay as much as possible in cash. There is no need to get cash in the house right now. Always put aside some cash for your emergency kit in the coming months. 

It is also good to talk about it with people around you. So that you know what you can do for others in those 72 hours. In this you make agreements with each other. For example, about how you can reach or meet each other and who needs extra help.

Of course, an emergency can last longer than 72 hours. But during that time, the government can better organize help and disseminate up-to-date information and courses of action. In the first 72 hours (three days) of an emergency it is important to be able to take care of yourself and your family or household. There is still a lot of uncertainty then and emergency services cannot be everywhere at once. 

Read carefully the advice in the information booklet you received, and see what steps you can take now. You never know when an emergency will occur, so it is important to take advantage of the time to prepare right now. The more people prepare, the stronger we will be together when that crisis comes unexpectedly. 

Shelter can contribute to your safety. Therefore, you can think about possible places where you can take shelter. For example, at home, work or school. Sheltering outside or in vehicles does not provide enough protection. The best options are (if nearby) underground or the middle of large buildings.

It's not just about stuff you have to have in the house. By talking to each other, you will hear how others are handling it and you can help each other. For example, ask others if they have already done anything or if they need help preparing. Everyone in the Netherlands will receive an information booklet in their mailbox before mid-January 2026: Prepare for an emergency. You can use this information booklet to talk to others and help each other.

The government does not advise on specific brands or types of emergency kit products or the emergency kit itself. Instead, we recommend putting together your own emergency kit. You probably already have most items in your home. There is an emergency kit checklist at www.denkvooruit.nl. Every household is different. Therefore, it is important to supplement the emergency kit with resources that are necessary for you, for example, medicine and food for pets. 

You prepare by putting together an emergency kit, making an emergency plan and talking to those around you. You can read how to do this in the information booklet you received in your mailbox at home. For more information about threats and what you can do, visit think-forward.com. 

To be well prepared, it is important to adopt government advice, but also to think carefully about what suits your personal life situation. Take into account personal needs such as medication, baby food or things for pets. Also make arrangements with those around you about things that are important to you, for example, with your children's school, day care, at work, or home care. 

You prepare so you know what to do when it comes down to it. But things can always happen that you didn't expect. Even then, it's important to stay calm. To prepare for the unexpected, you can build resilience. By working on mental and physical health and investing in a social network. Worried about something? Discuss it with your family, neighbors and friends and see how you can help and support each other.

With an emergency kit, you are well prepared to last at home for the first 72 hours (3 days) of an emergency. Retrieved from www.denkvooruit.nl/noodpakket you'll find a comprehensive checklist of all the basic items you'll need in the first 72 hours. The contents of an emergency kit can be different for everyone. That's why the government recommends thinking carefully about your own situation. Perhaps you are on medication, have children who use baby food or need diapers.

Store items in a convenient, easily accessible place. Put a bag in this spot, too, for when you suddenly have to leave your house. In it you can easily carry things. For example, your keys, ID and cash.

Items for your emergency kit are best kept in an easily accessible place. Put a handy bag there, too. Then, if you suddenly have to leave home during an incident, put items in that bag. Such as a bottle of water, (copies of) IDs, cash and other small necessities.

The government does not provide emergency kits in advance. We are currently reviewing what additional support is needed to better support vulnerable (groups of) people in the event of a threat, disaster or incident. The starting point is that a safety net must be easy for them to find, close to home and accessible. Civil society organizations can play a crucial role in this. 

Check the emergency stock every six months. Is the stock still complete? Are the products still perishable? Also look at your personal situation. Also consider baby food, medicines and food and drink for your pets and other animals.

An emergency plan contains clear agreements you have made with people around you about what you will do in an emergency. For example, where you meet or who needs extra help.

An emergency situation often comes unexpectedly. And it is hard to predict how the situation will turn out. That is why it is nice if you make clear arrangements in advance with the people around you. This can be done with an emergency plan. In it you write down, for example, how you can reach or meet each other and who needs extra help. 

Retrieved from www.denkvooruit.nl/noodplan you will find a comprehensive emergency plan. You and your household can print this out and complete it.

During an emergency you can find reliable information on websites of Rijksoverheid, your municipality and safety region. If there is no internet then you can hear reliable information through your local disaster broadcaster on the radio or TV. The information you receive through an NL is also reliable. 

How residents are kept informed depends on the emergency. The websites of your municipality and or safety region will have the most up-to-date information if they are still accessible. Your region's disaster broadcaster will also provide information during an emergency. In a more urgent emergency, an NL may be sent to everyone's cell phone. Health therefore that you have it handy.  

If all power is out, you can still receive NL for a short time, so keep a switched-on cell phone handy. The local disaster station on your radio or TV also provides information. Health therefore that you have a manually rechargeable emergency radio or one that runs on batteries.

Your municipality or security region alerts you to emergency situations through the usual channels. If an acute emergency is imminent, you will receive an NL on your cell phone. This tells you what is going on and what you should do. 

In the Netherlands, we live in freedom and safety. But in several places in the world it is unsafe. There are also threats to our safety. We can all face emergency situations. That is why it is important that we prepare ourselves well. Especially now. Not because we are afraid, but to stand strong together.

Read the information booklet carefully and follow the instructions. Then put the information booklet where you can easily find it. For example, in the kitchen drawer, in the meter cupboard or with your important papers. This way you will always have the information at hand. 

The information booklet will be distributed nationwide between Nov. 25 and Jan. 10. Therefore, you may not have received the information booklet yet.