Global Governments Urge Citizens to Stockpile Emergency Supplies

Governments in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Sweden are urging citizens to stockpile food, water, and essential supplies as global instability increases. In the United Kingdom, Wes Streeting promoted the Be Ready campaign, which advises households to maintain a 72-hour supply of essentials to mitigate risks from terrorism, cyber attacks, extreme weather, and potential war.

Japan's Disaster Management Minister Gishi Hosono issued a national emergency request on November 2, 2026, recommending a one-week supply of essentials. This move coincided with the launch of the National Disaster Management Agency to coordinate emergency response and reconstruction. Sweden has issued similar guidance, advising citizens to remain self-sufficient for at least one week due to nearby conflicts and worsening global conditions.

In the United States, the Pentagon initiated Project FORTRESS to ensure military bases can operate for 90 days without civilian infrastructure support. The initiative addresses risks to power grids and supply chains during major conflicts, with officials stating that reliance on municipal infrastructure for national defense is an intolerable risk.