🇧🇪 Belgium

What your government recommends

Be ready for At least 72 hours^[1]

“In addition, always make sure you have enough drinking water and food to be self-reliant for at least 72 hours. [...] I have an emergency kit that will last at least 72 hours.”

Water: 3 to 10 litres per person per day^[1]

Food: Non-perishable food you can prepare without water, gas or electricity, such as canned meat or fish, canned vegetables or legumes, nuts, dried fruit, crackers and energy bars. Choose varied, nutritious food you enjoy and normally eat. Build the stock step by step (one extra item per shopping trip), store it somewhere cool and dark, and use and replace items before they expire. Don't forget a can opener or pocket knife.^[1]

Recommended items

• ✓Drinking water: 3 to 10 litres per person per day^[1]
• ✓Non-perishable food you can prepare without water, gas or electricity^[1]
• ✓Can opener or pocket knife^[1]
• ✓Battery-powered or wind-up radio, preferably with DAB+ and FM^[1]
• ✓Rechargeable and spare batteries^[1]
• ✓Fully charged power bank and phone charger^[1]
• ✓Printed list of important phone numbers^[1]
• ✓Torch, preferably a wind-up one^[1]
• ✓Warm clothing or blankets^[1]
• ✓Candles and matches^[1]
• ✓Baby food, nappies and toys if you have young children^[1]
• ✓Pet supplies: carrier, leash, food, water and bowls, pet passport and vaccination record, medication^[1]
• ✓Grab-and-go backpack: copies of ID, driving licence and insurance documents; emergency plan / phone list; pen and paper; some cash; a bottle of water; biscuits, energy bars or nuts; small first aid kit; personal care items (wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper, sanitary pads); essential medication for at least three days; a whistle; charged power bank and phone charger^[1]

Special items

• Iodine tablets — Free from your pharmacy. You may need to take them in a nuclear emergency. Never take them on your own initiative; take them only when the authorities tell you to, and follow the recommended dosage.^[1][4]

Good to know

• • Belgium's 'Prepared Together' campaign (2026–2029) covers everyday emergencies such as floods, storms, heat waves, power cuts and fires.
• • The water advice is 3 to 10 litres per person per day: 3 litres only covers drinking and cooking; more is needed for washing and flushing the toilet.
• • Download the free 112 app in advance to reach emergency services more quickly.
• • A fill-in personal emergency plan template is available: https://crisiscenter.be/en/documentation/publications/my-personal-emergency-plan
• • CHS Belgium offers 24/7 English-language emotional support: +32 2 616 26 26.