How people around the world are preparing for emergencies: five examples from the US, Japan and the Netherlands

People in several countries are building up emergency supplies at home so they can cope with power cuts, natural disasters or other crises. The BBC spoke to five such people in the United States, Japan and the Netherlands, all of whom stress that preparing is a matter of sensible caution rather than panic.

United States: supplies in the basement

Dan C., a 38-year-old physiotherapist in Maryland and father of two children under 10, began stockpiling after becoming a parent. He has spent about $6,000 (£4,470) so far. After a very cold February left the family without power for two days, he found there were many gaps in what he had prepared. His basement now holds 150 gallons of water, chlorine dioxide tablets for making water safe to drink, roughly three months of food for his family of four, solar panels, a camping stove, a tent and medical supplies including bleeding control kits. He uses the food in regular cooking and replaces it, so it does not expire unused.

Nicole Bonds, a 48-year-old leadership coach in Atlanta, has thought about emergencies for the past five years, as she has noticed increasingly severe weather. Her motto is "don't panic, be prepared". Her stock includes batteries, a power bank, first-aid supplies and blankets, which she adds to gradually to keep costs down.

Japan and the Netherlands

Ayumi T., a 27-year-old university employee in Tokyo, has kept an emergency bag for years, but stocked up further after a 2024 earthquake on the Noto Peninsula killed hundreds of people. Her family checks their kits every new year and replaces out-of-date items.

Michael Stuut, 39, lives in Hoorn in the Netherlands, which lies below sea level, and worries about extreme weather and possible war. His supplies include about 120 litres of water, cash, a generator and a Starlink Mini satellite internet device. This year he built an app to track his food and expiry dates. Dutch authorities launched a campaign in late 2025 urging households to hold 72 hours of supplies, and UK authorities have now issued similar advice. Michael is sceptical of the three-day guidance, but says that even a few basic items at home make it easier for emergency services to help those most in need.