News item | 03-11-2025 | 09:00
72 hours without water, electricity or internet. Geopolitical developments and climate change increase the chance of an emergency. That is why it is important that society becomes more resilient. More and more people are already prepared for an emergency, but not everyone is. That is why the government is starting a multi-year Think Ahead campaign today on TV, radio and online. The campaign helps people prepare in 3 steps: make an emergency package, make an emergency plan, talk to each other and help each other. Regional and local governments, the business community and social partners support the campaign.
East Minister of Justice and Security: “Every day we rely on everyday amenities such as electricity and water from the tap. But what do you do if the power suddenly goes out and there is no water from the tap and this lasts for days? In the event of an emergency, help may take longer to arrive. With the campaign we show how important it is to be able to take care of yourself and your household. With an emergency package, emergency plan or conversation with your family or neighbors, you can ensure peace of mind in the event of an emergency. More and more people are already preparing. This includes the government and the business community. But it belongs to everyone. action is needed. That is why I call for: Think ahead. And prepare yourself. Because whoever prepares well, we can help ourselves and others when necessary.
Government and emergency services are where they are needed most
In an emergency, the government and emergency services are where they are needed most. They do this to quickly get the crisis under control and get people to safety. They can’t be everywhere at once. As a result, most people have to rely on themselves for the first 72 hours. It is therefore important that you can take care of yourself and your household for the first 3 days.
Think ahead: better prepared for an emergency in 3 steps
For most Dutch people, the question is not whether an emergency will occur, but when it will happen, according to recent research. With the campaign, the government helps citizens to prepare for the consequences of long-term failure of daily facilities. Such as electricity, water or internet. 3 steps are central: make an emergency package, make an emergency plan and talk to each other and help each other.
Step 1: Make an emergency kit
- With an emergency kit you are well prepared to cope at home for the first 72 hours of an emergency. Putting together an emergency kit is easier than you think. You probably already have many things at home: bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight with batteries, a power bank, a small first aid kit, cash, a blanket. But is it enough for 72 hours? Look carefully at your own situation and what extra you need: think of baby food, medicine or food for your pet.
Step 2: Make an emergency plan
- An emergency is difficult to predict. That is why it is good if you have thought in advance about what you will do in an emergency. This is possible with an emergency plan. It contains clear agreements with the people around you about what you do. For example, how you can reach each other, where you meet, who picks up the children from school and who needs extra help.
Step 3: Talk to each other and help each other
- People may be unsure or anxious about the thought of an emergency. Or someone needs help preparing. By talking to each other, you hear how others deal with it and you can help each other. Maybe someone hasn’t thought about what to do yet and you can help them get started. Or maybe you don’t know where to start and it helps if someone thinks along with you.
On www.denkvooruit.nl There are concrete action perspectives to help you prepare for an emergency. Those who prepare well can help themselves and others when necessary. The website also provides an explanation of what risks there are in the Netherlands.
About the campaign
With the Think Ahead campaign, the government informs citizens about how they can prepare for 72 hours without electricity, water or internet. Focus: make an emergency package, make an emergency plan and talk to each other and help each other. The Think Ahead campaign can be seen on TV and online in November, and can be heard on the radio.
The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) coordinates the Think Ahead campaign. The campaign is implemented in close collaboration with national, regional and local governments, the business community and social partners. For more information about resilience, visit www.nctv.nl/onderwerpen/w/weerbaarheid.