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Europe
Germans told to stockpile food and water for civil defence
2016-08-23
[BBC] For the first time since the Cold War the German government is advising citizens to stockpile food and water for use in a national emergency.

Some opposition MPs said the new civil defence concept, to go before ministers on Wednesday, was scaremongering. Citizens are advised to store enough food to last them 10 days, because initially a disaster might put national emergency services beyond reach.

Five days' water - two litres (half a gallon) per person daily - is advised.

The German news website Frankfurter Allgemeine (FAZ) said the new concept was set out in a 69-page German Interior Ministry document.

The document said "an attack on German territory, requiring conventional defence of the nation, is unlikely". But, it said, a major security threat to the nation in future could not be ruled out, so civil defence measures were necessary.
Soon, Germans began tweeting ironically under the hashtag "Hamsterkaeufe" (panic-buying).
Posted by:Besoeker

#9  Sounds like you got a plan.

I went over our two most likely SHTF events with my wife.

First, influx of refugees due to a neighboring town evacuating from a wildfire. It was interesting because as a community not next to a water source, we are on wells, and only so much water can be pumped per day. That is where we decided upon a supply of food, water, and water filtration.

Second was our own evacuation. That was a bit different. She asks, which way do we go? I said, dunno, I might be at the fire or assisting evacuations. She had to work through that one while I sort of Game Mastered and gave suggestions. Mainly, I'm not here, the town is on fire, people are freaking out because kids are at school. That is when we put together the boogie bag.

Everything else built on those two basic stay and leave scenarios, considering geography, season, weather, distance of evacuation or strain on local resources for how long, etc.

It was actually a bit fun after the initial gravity was worked out. Like, so honey, you have the kids and went x direction, you are off a decent road and far from help, what if you get a flat tire......hey, let's go check the spare tire real quick.

Or, hey so-and-so told me which MREs are the most tradable, let us get some of those.

Hey honey, why vodka? Because in a pinch it is the most likely liquor the kids would drink, and gin turns people invisible. Don't want to be chasing Harvey the Rabbit around.

Of course we did zombies, because fad, and gotta have some fun.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2016-08-23 21:20  

#8  This is Bavaria and hunting runs in the family ;-)
Posted by: European Conservative   2016-08-23 20:46  

#7  Here in the city, our family would probably be self sufficient for three or four weeks, but we'd probably leave in time to stay on the family farm.

that's what they said in Rhodesia/ZimBobWe
Posted by: Frank G   2016-08-23 17:39  

#6  Enough supply of clean water (and beer) is of course the most important thing.

As for food, this is quite easy.

First week: Just rotate fresh supplies
Second week: Still mostly fresh, but more durable supplies.
Next two weeks: Durable stuff that you still like to eat. Because you want to rotate that, too.

A military attack on Germany is not really the issue. A natural disaster, disruption of the supply chain (think of a meltdown of the financial system) or a virus outbreak are the things to plan for.

Here in the city, our family would probably be self sufficient for three or four weeks, but we'd probably leave in time to stay on the family farm.
Posted by: European Conservative   2016-08-23 17:33  

#5  Seen at a saloon:

All beer has food value - food has no beer value.

Vodka is a great multi-tool as well.

At least have a way to filter water. If its down to drinking out of the back of the toilet or the water heater, you will want it. Low on water and unsafe to go outside is no time to get something like dysentery. There are good ones, and take up hardly any space - just remember to check the filtration rate vs. number of people + potential physical activity. Four people waiting six hours for a quart of water is probably not going to cut it. One person, maybe, if not too active, but if it is SHTF like civil uprising, chances are you will not be in the comfy chair doing crosswords.

But like EC said, a prepared person should have this stuff anyways. Dehydrated food has come so far even within the last 10 years. MREs are edible and do not require the cooking water dehydrated food does.

If you are going to play SHTF: Civil Unrest Edition, don't forget a way out of Dodge. Start with how to drive to your Weekend Out Fishing, then start throwing in variables, like Bridges Are Out! and 2+ Lane Roads Closed! No Go Section! It doesn't matter much why, and sitting in your car programming your route when minutes count is going to cost you. Especially if GPS & Cell Phone Jammed!
Posted by: swksvolFF   2016-08-23 16:44  

#4  Five days' water is fine, a month of beer supply essential.

That fortunate discovery of the preservative effect of hops, meaning a batch of beer lasts longer than a few days... making it a perfect safe water storage and delivery system. ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife   2016-08-23 13:15  

#3  Ich bin zu alt für der.... pretzel disruption ?
Posted by: Besoeker   2016-08-23 10:59  

#2  Actually that is something every household should do. Disruptions can happen for so many reasons.

Five days' water is fine, a month of beer supply essential.
Posted by: European Conservative   2016-08-23 10:54  

#1  Don't forget to back up the ammo supply for the Karabiner 98, which you of course don't know about, hint, the garden haus ceiling.
Posted by: Shipman   2016-08-23 09:28  

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