In the coming weeks, every household in the Netherlands will receive a 33-page manual titled Prepare for an Emergency, produced by the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) and the Ministry of Justice and Security. The guide explains how to survive the first 72 hours of a major disruption, such as a cyberattack, blackout, infrastructure failure, or natural disaster, when emergency services or government assistance may be unavailable or severely limited.
Launch and Official Response
Caretaker Minister Foort van Oosten (Justice and Security) presented the booklet on November 17, 2025. At the launch, he emphasised how quickly normal services can fail during emergencies: telecommunications networks may go down, supermarket shelves can empty rapidly, and residents may face uncertainty about whether tap water or fuel remain available. "This shows how vulnerable we can be and how important good preparation is, so you don't have to panic or hoard," he said.
Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called the booklet "absolutely necessary" and said the goal is to help people feel safer through proper preparation rather than fear.
What the Manual Covers
The booklet guides citizens through three essential steps for emergency preparedness:
1. Assemble an Emergency Kit
Households are advised to prepare a kit containing:
Drinking water (three litres per person per day)
Non-perishable food
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery- or hand-crank radio
First aid kit
Copies of important documents (identity cards, insurance papers)
Cash in small denominations (around €70 per adult and €30 per child, as electronic payments may fail)
Medicines and prescription information
A neighbourhood map and a whistle to attract attention
Special consideration is urged for babies, pets, and people with specific medical needs. The government emphasises that emergency kits don't need to be expensive: many items are things households already own. Supplies should be stored in an easily accessible, waterproof container such as a backpack.
2. Create a Household Emergency Plan
Families should discuss emergency scenarios and decide:
How to communicate if phone networks fail
Where to meet if separated
Who will pick up children from school if communications are disrupted
How to help vulnerable family members or neighbours
How to stay informed if the internet goes down
Preparing ahead reduces chaos and ensures everyone knows what to do when a crisis hits.
3. Stay Informed
Citizens are encouraged to:
Know their regional emergency radio channel
Monitor government alert systems
Keep a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio ready
Regularly check and update supplies, especially food and medications
Participate in local preparedness programs and drills if available
Photo Credits: Mathurin NAPOLY/Unsplash
Why the 72-Hour Timeframe?
The first 72 hours (often called "the golden three days") are considered critical because government aid, utilities, and emergency services may be unavailable or disrupted for that period after a major incident. Being self-sufficient during this window improves survival chances, reduces pressure on emergency responders, and allows authorities to focus on the most urgent cases. While the Netherlands has robust emergency services, the government emphasises that some scenarios, particularly widespread cyberattacks or infrastructure failures affecting multiple regions simultaneously, may overwhelm immediate help.
Why Now: Rising Risks
The government cites several trends increasing the risk of large-scale disruptions:
Cyber threats: Increasing frequency of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, including power grids, water systems, and telecommunications networks.
Geopolitical tensions: Justice Minister David van Weel has emphasised the need for national civil resilience, warning that conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have heightened risks of sabotage and cyberattacks targeting essential services.
Climate-related events: More frequent extreme weather events and rising climate risk.
Public perception: Survey data showed that 60% of Dutch residents believe a national emergency is more likely now than a year ago, yet fewer than 30% feel adequately prepared.
Distribution Timeline and Accessibility
Households can expect the brochure to arrive in their mailboxes between late November 2025 and early January 2026. According to the campaign website, translations into multiple languages will be available starting November 25 to ensure all residents can access the information regardless of their primary language.
The manual is part of the broader "
" campaign (Dutch: Denk vooruit), which launched in November 2025 to build emergency readiness among Dutch citizens. For more information and digital resources, residents can visit the official website at english.denkvooruit.nl.
Community-Level Preparedness
The government has also urged local authorities to identify vulnerable populations and establish support facilities such as emergency power supplies and safe gathering points. These initiatives aim to bolster readiness at the community level and ensure that those who cannot prepare independently receive assistance.
The booklet encourages residents to use it as a conversation starter with household members, neighbors, and vulnerable persons nearby. Preparedness isn't just about individual households but about building resilient communities that can support each other during crises.
A Shift Toward Self-Reliance
The new manual signals a shift in government messaging: from expecting citizens to rely entirely on external rescue services to encouraging a degree of self-reliance for a short initial period during major emergencies. This approach aims to reduce panic buying, avoid hoarding behavior that can worsen shortages, and make the initial crisis phases smoother for everyone.
While the Netherlands generally enjoys reliable utilities and security infrastructure, the campaign reminds citizens of the unpredictability of modern threats. By equipping households with practical guidance and encouraging proactive planning, the government hopes to increase overall resilience and safety during times of crisis.
