RED CROSS FLANDERS | Most Flemings see value in Emergency Kits, but only 4% are fully prepared

Only 4% of Flemings have a complete emergency kit at home, despite 58% acknowledging their usefulness, a survey by Red Cross Flanders or Rode Kruis Vlaanderen revealed on Tuesday 19 May.

Campaign spurs kit sales

The findings follow a December 2025 awareness campaign on emergency preparedness, during which the organisation sold 15,000 emergency kits, with proceeds supporting disaster relief and free first aid services. An additional 10,000 kits are on the way, and its online emergency checklist has been downloaded over 10,000 times.

Partial preparedness common

While 13% have gathered basic supplies like torches, bottled water, or first aid kits, most items remain scattered across homes rather than consolidated for quick access.

Kits designed for 72-hour self-sufficiency

Emergency kits are designed to sustain households for 72 hours during crises such as floods, power outages, severe weather, cyberattacks, or industrial incidents.

Water shortages pose major risk

Water preparedness is a critical gap: only 2 in 10 Flemings have sufficient bottled water at home. “In a systemic crisis, 80% would lack drinking water,” warned spokesperson Vincent Verbeecke. “People can survive days without food, but water is non-negotiable. This would place immense pressure on emergency services.”

Scepticism persists

Some Flemings remain sceptical, viewing preparedness campaigns as alarmist. Verbeecke countered: “It’s healthy to be critical, but risks like power cuts, floods, or cyberattacks are real. Once disaster strikes, it’s too late to prepare.”

How to get prepared

Red Cross Flanders’ emergency kits and checklists are available at www.rodekruis.be/noodpakket.