# Why Governments Worldwide Are Telling People to Prepare **By Philip East** · 2026-10-29 ## Why Governments Worldwide Are Telling People to Prepare (And What It Means for NZ) If you’ve been scrolling through the news lately, you might have noticed a strange and slightly unsettling trend. Governments around the world are suddenly issuing urgent directives telling their citizens to prepare 72-hour emergency kits. It feels a bit like the plot of a disaster movie. But there isn't a single, hidden "doomsday" event driving this. Instead, global emergency managers are looking at a world that has become highly interconnected, digitally vulnerable, and prone to extreme weather. They are realizing that when a major crisis hits, emergency services are stretched to their absolute limits. The best way to protect a nation is to ensure individual households can look after themselves for the first few days. ## The Proof: What Global Governments Are Publishing Right Now This isn’t internet speculation—major global authorities have launched massive public campaigns with downloadable frameworks to get their populations ready: - **The [United Kingdom](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F07ssc):** The UK Government recently launched their [Be Ready Campaign](https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/), instructing households to prepare for up to three days of severe disruptions to power, water, and internet. - **[Sweden](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F0d0vqn):** The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency has distributed an updated version of their famous [In Case of Crisis or War Brochure](https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/the-brochure-in-case-of-crisis-or-war/download-and-order-the-brochure-in-case-of-crisis-or-war/) directly to millions of homes to build national resilience against cyberattacks and infrastructure failure. - **[The United States](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F09c7w0):** FEMA’s official [Ready.gov Make A Plan Hub](https://www.ready.gov/plan) provides comprehensive, fillable emergency guides detailing household communication and evacuation strategies. Here in [New Zealand](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F0ctw_b), the message from NEMA and Civil Defence is exactly the same—but our risks are uniquely Kiwi. **The 3 Reasons New Zealanders Need a 72-Hour Plan** While Europe focuses on geopolitical tensions, our vulnerabilities hit closer to home: 1. **Our Fragile Infrastructure:** As we saw during Cyclone Gabrielle, [New Zealand's](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F0ctw_b) infrastructure is a long, thin line. If a main highway washes out or a major substation goes down, communities can be cut off from food, clean water, and power within hours. 2. **The "Big Ones" Are On the Clock:** GNS Science reminds us regularly that we live in a shaky country. Whether it’s the Alpine Fault in the South or the Hikurangi Subduction Zone in the North, a major seismic event will immediately isolate regions. Emergency services will be focused on critical rescues—not delivering bottled water. 3. **The First 72 Hours Are Critical:** The official NZ [Get Ready Framework](https://getready.govt.nz/) states clearly that you must be self-sufficient for **at least three days**. This gives authorities time to assess damage, clear roads, and establish supply chains. ### Building the Ultimate Emergency Kit (NZ Essentials) A proper 72-hour setup isn't about hoarding months of supplies in a bunker. It’s about practical, everyday resilience. If you have to evacuate at a moment's notice, you need a dedicated **[grab bag](https://www.aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz/get-prepared/get-home-ready/make-a-grab-bag)** packed and ready by the door. To help you map this out for your family, we have built a localized planning resource. You can download our [**Next 72 Hours Preparedness Plan and Step-by-Step PDF Checklist**](https://www.next72hours.com/pages/disaster-preparedness-guides-nz-free-downloads "link to the Next72Hours Free Download PDFs on Emergency Kit NZ or Preparedness Plans and How to build a grab bag NZ") to walk you through your home's unique requirements. At a minimum, your physical kit needs to focus on three core pillars: - **Water & Hydration:** 3 litres of drinking water per person, per day. - **Power & Communication:** Flashlights, a battery-powered radio (for emergency broadcasts), and power banks to keep phones alive. - **[MRE & Emergency Food:](https://www.next72hours.com/pages/bdh-high-energy-bars-emergency-food-rations-nz-emergency-survival-rations "Link to the BDH High Energy Bars Info Page at Next72Hours")** When the power is out, your fridge and freezer will spoil quickly. You need high-calorie, long-shelf-life **MRE / emergency food** options that require no refrigeration and minimal or no cooking to prepare. Don't Wait for the Panic Buyers When a severe storm warning hits or the ground shakes, the local supermarket becomes pure chaos. Shelves empty of water, batteries, and canned goods in minutes. Getting ready shouldn't be stressful, and it shouldn't be a last-minute scramble. At **[next72hours](https://www.next72hours.com/)**, we’ve taken the guesswork out of emergency readiness. We design comprehensive, high-quality **[emergency kit nz](https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/household/supplies)** options tailored specifically for New Zealand conditions. Don't wait for the next emergency alert to flash on your phone—download our **free preparedness guide**, secure your peace of mind, and protect your family today. Do you known more about what is happening out there? Do you have anu ideas you want to share then please drop us a line and fill us in at the [**contact us page**](https://www.next72hours.com/pages/contact "Contact us page at Next72Hours to provide more info"). --- > Source: [Next72Hours](https://www.next72hours.com/blogs/news/why-governments-worldwide-are-telling-people-to-prepare)