If you have not yet prepared your emergency kit, now is the time to do so. The Municipal Civil Protection Service of Lisbon recommended on Monday that individuals should assemble it in their free time to ensure their basic needs are met for at least three days in the event of a serious accident or disaster.
In the aftermath of the blackout that affected Portugal and Spain, the director of the Municipal Civil Protection Service of the Lisbon City Council, Margarida Castro Martins, emphasized that “everyone should have an emergency kit at home that ensures [their] survival in similar situations.”
Therefore, you should pack the following items in a backpack:
- Water
- Dried or canned food
- Flashlight
- Whistle
- Battery-powered radio and spare batteries
- Thermal blanket
- Personal hygiene items
- Essential medications
- First aid kit
Civil Protection further advised regularly checking the expiry dates of various items and, if you have pets, ensuring there is a reserve of food. You may also “add other elements that you consider essential” to your kit.
In March, the European Commission (EC) advised that a well-prepared citizen should have emergency reserves at home—including water and canned food—sufficient for at least 72 hours.
This is something you should always have nearby, especially when traveling with animals, says Marta Teixeira, a veterinarian at ZU.
Notícias ao Minuto | 15:31 – 10/08/2024
This month, during the debate on the next multiannual budget, the European Union (EU) is expected to provide an estimated value for the kit, aimed at ensuring citizens are prepared for emergencies caused by natural events like fires or floods, or human-related incidents such as accidents or conflicts.
Brussels also plans to integrate preparedness classes into school curricula and introduce a European Preparedness Day, stating that the key is to predict and anticipate crises.
The community executive also aims to develop minimum preparedness criteria for essential services, such as hospitals, schools, transport, and telecommunications, improve the stockpiling of critical equipment and materials, and adapt to climate changes and the availability of essential natural resources, such as water.
Families should have enough cash for three days in case of an emergency.
Notícias ao Minuto | 13:47 – 23/05/2025
The EU’s stockpile strategy aims to ensure access to critical resources throughout the bloc, such as emergency and disaster response materials, medical equipment, critical raw materials, and energy equipment, as well as agri-food products and water.
The Commission similarly seeks to strengthen civil and military cooperation, planning regular EU-wide preparedness exercises bringing together the armed forces, civil protection, police, security, healthcare professionals, and firefighters.
