How to prepare for a crisis or war
A calm, methodical approach to resilience. Learn the practical fundamentals of emergency planning, communication, and essential supplies to protect your household when disruption strikes.
Note - while this is a section dedicated to how to prepare for a crisis, follow the Emergency Preparation and planning section as a companion
This section is in two parts - an introduction to understand the basics of conflict and who is at risk, and part two how to prepare
Stay informed and establish a family plan
During severe unrest or national emergencies, communication channels can become compromised rapidly. Keep a battery-powered, solar or hand-crank radio ready, monitor emergency broadcasts on national television, and set up local alert notifications on your mobile devices. Agree upon a clear family action plan in advance, establishing designated meeting locations, contact priorities, and specific steps every family member should take immediately when crisis alerts sound.
Stock essential supplies and sustenance
Self-reliance begins with securing life-support essentials before shortages emerge. Store clean drinking water and non-perishable foodstuffs to sustain every household member for at least seven days. Assemble comprehensive medical supplies tailored to individual requirements, including prescription medication, trauma dressings, and antiseptic treatments. Always ensure you have secure reserves kept in an accessible, protected space.
Secure light, warmth, and practical tools
Infrastructure failures often leave homes without central heating or electricity. Prepare reliable battery-operated or rechargeable torches, candles, and alternate heat sources suitable for indoor use. Maintain a robust kit of manual hand tools for emergency repairs, fortification, or clearing debris. Deepen your capability by exploring our curated survival guides and detailed resource links to navigate any unforeseen crisis with confidence.
Understanding conflict and assessing risk
In an escalating geopolitical crisis or active conflict, disruption rarely happens all at once. It unfolds in stages: initial disinformation and cyber disruptions to energy grids, followed by logistical supply chain bottlenecks, financial freezes, and eventual infrastructural breakdowns. Identifying whether your area is high-risk—such as proximity to critical national infrastructure, urban distribution centres, or transport hubs—enables you to make informed decisions early, whether that means securing your home in place or preparing a calculated evacuation route before travel routes become congested.
PART 1
In today’s unstable global environment, it is inevitable we are all living in uncertain times. Armed conflicts are currently being waged in many parts of the world, where terrorism, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns are being used to undermine and influence the populace.
The gathering threats around the world, especially in the East, appear to be escalating, to resist these threats, there must be a united front.
If a NATO country is attacked, then all countries within that organisation (U.K, and all of Europe) are at risk, and it is vital that people understand and know how to prepare for such a crisis.
It is important then, to build a daily resilience strategy, especially with our loved ones, colleagues, friends, and neighbours.
Read through this section to learn how to prepare and follow the various links on the website.
There is a standard formula on how conflict begins, and looking at the world today, all those points have passed:
Underlying Grievances and Long-standing disputes over territory.
Power Shifts
Militarism and Alliances: Competing arms races and mutual defence pacts turn regional disputes into multi-nation or global conflicts because allies are dragged in by treaty obligations.
The Bargaining Failure: War is fundamentally a failure of diplomacy.
The Catalyst or Trigger: A single event—such as an assassination, a border skirmish, an ultimatum, or a violation of neutrality—acts as the spark.
Formal Escalation: Traditionally, this proceeds through an official declaration of war or an ultimatum, often beginning through rapid military mobilization, cyberattacks, proxy escalations, or undeclared cross-border hostilities.
We only have to look at Russia and Ukraine, Iran and U.S. to name a few.
Is anywhere ‘safe’ in the event of a war?
The most posed question!
While no place on Earth can be guaranteed completely safe during a large-scale global or nuclear conflict, geographers, safety rankings, and analysts frequently point to a few nations as the best-positioned safe havens.
Top Safest Countries During a Global Conflict
New Zealand: Frequently ranked near the very top of global survival lists due to its extreme geographical isolation in the South Pacific, strong agricultural self-sufficiency, and lack of high-value strategic targets.
Iceland: Consistently ranked as the most peaceful country in the world on the Global Peace Index, Iceland benefits from North Atlantic isolation, no standing military, and complete independence in geothermal and hydro energy.
Switzerland: Famed for over two centuries of strict political neutrality, mountainous natural defences, and a massive network of underground civil protection and nuclear bunkers capable of housing nearly its entire population.
Ireland: Maintains a long-standing policy of military neutrality and is not a member of NATO, reducing its likelihood of being pulled into alliance-driven conflicts.
Bhutan: A landlocked Himalayan kingdom protected by extreme geographic isolation, steep terrain, and a non-aligned, peace-focused foreign policy.
Other Contenders: Countries like Australia, Chile, Argentina, Fiji, and South Africa are also highlighted for having low population densities, southern-hemisphere distance from northern flashpoints, or strong local food and water production.
PART 2
How to Prepare.
Government agencies, regional authorities and municipalities assume major responsibilities when our security is threatened. Municipalities,
for example, care for the sick and elderly, and ensure that childcare and rescue services remain uninterrupted as far as possible. The private
sector also contributes to our preparedness. If a serious incident does occur, aid must be primarily focused on those who need it the most. This means that most of us must be able to manage on our own for at least a week.
Here are some examples of how you can get involved in our
collective preparedness:
• Join a voluntary defence organisation that has specific duties with
in the framework of your country's total defence system. There are also other non-profit organisations and faith communities that play important roles.
• Complete a course in emergency CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Donate blood if you can.
• Talk to other people in your local community about how to strengthen your collective preparedness – for example,
with neighbours or residential area.
If you are in UK if there are any alert warnings, whether severe weather, terror attacks or crisis events, all those with a mobile phone should receive the relevant alerts
UK Emergency alerts
You may get alerts about any type of life threatening emergency, such as:
wildfires, severe flooding, extreme storms
Emergency alerts will only be sent by: the emergency services, government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies
Emergency alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK.
Your mobile phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or wifi to get alerts.
Emergency alerts work on:
iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later
Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later.
Acts of terrorism or war
Prior to an attack (From the Red Cross)
Terrorist attack preparedness
Before a terrorist attack
Be vigilant. Terrorist attacks usually happen in public places. Keep a watch for suspicious behaviour, vehicles or packages.
If you have any fears or suspicions, tell the police. You can call the confidential Police Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.
When you’re in buildings and on public transport, make sure you know where the emergency exits are.
During an incident
Find the safest way to leave the area. Move as quickly and calmly as you can.
If there’s a fire, stay low to the floor and exit as quickly as possible. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth if you can. If a door is hot to the touch, don’t open it.
If there’s an explosion outside a building, stay inside. Keep away from windows, lifts and outside doors in case there’s another bomb nearby.
If you saw the explosion or any suspicious behaviour, tell the police.
After an incident
Help others with first aid if it’s safe to do so.
Tell the police if you saw anything that might be useful.
If you’re concerned about a loved one, contact the police.
You could be suffering from shock but not realise it. See a doctor as soon as possible.
PART 3 continues with How to Prepare for a Nuclear or Radiation Emergency