The Belgian Government has launched a nationwide campaign urging citizens to be better prepared for emergencies, stressing that preparedness is a shared responsibility between authorities and the public.
The initiative, led by the National Crisis Centre, began on Tuesday 21 April 2026, and forms part of a four-year strategy to strengthen resilience in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and climate-related risks.
Officials warn that emergencies such as fires, floods, storms, or power and gas outages can occur unexpectedly and affect anyone. While authorities and emergency services develop contingency plans and carry out training exercises, they may not be able to assist everyone immediately in a crisis.
Citizens urged to be self-reliant for 72 hours
A central message of the campaign is that households should be able to manage independently for at least 72 hours. By taking simple preparatory steps, individuals can respond more quickly and effectively, while allowing emergency services to prioritise the most vulnerable.
Belgium‘s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) said the campaign is not intended to alarm the public, despite increasing risks. “We must not bury our heads in the sand”, he noted, emphasising that preparedness is a collective effort.
Focus on information and awareness
The campaign’s first phase highlights the importance of accessing reliable information before and during an emergency. Authorities warn that misinformation can spread rapidly in crisis situations.
Citizens are encouraged to:
- Register for the government’s BE-Alert warning system to receive alerts via SMS, email or phone.
- Follow official communication channels from local authorities and emergency services.
- Consult the official crisis information website for updates, guidance and risk information
Authorities also use additional channels such as radio, television and online media to reach the public quickly during emergencies.
Practical steps: plans and emergency kits
The government advises households to take several practical measures:
- Learn about risks in their local area.
- Prepare a household emergency plan.
- Assemble emergency kits at home, in the car and at work.
- Know what to do in case of evacuation or sheltering.
A home emergency kit should include essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medical supplies, torches, batteries, cash and hygiene products to last at least three days.
In addition, people are encouraged to prepare a smaller ‘grab bag‘ with key items like documents, chargers and first aid supplies in case they need to leave quickly.
Community approach
The campaign also stresses the importance of community support. Citizens are encouraged to discuss emergency plans with family, neighbours and friends, share knowledge and assist those who may need extra help, such as children, older people or individuals with limited mobility.
Officials underline that better-prepared communities can significantly reduce the impact of emergencies. By improving public readiness, emergency services can focus their efforts where they are needed most.
The campaign will expand in the coming years to address a broader range of risks, including nuclear incidents, with tailored guidance at local level.
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