And that's it: The Germans have been warned – war is possible

Nemci su tako u najnovijem uputstvu, preporučili održavanje zaliha hrane od tri do deset dana.

However, as Euronews reports, this marks the first time in 35 years that the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has issued a warning about war.

Although the agency emphasized that Germany remains one of the safest countries, a new guide has been published offering advice in case of a crisis, due to, as Euronews notes, nearly four years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the threat the Kremlin poses to European security.

“It always pays to be well prepared in advance,” explains Ralf Tisler, president of the BBK.

“Preparations for Crises and Disasters”

The new guide, titled “Preparations for Crises and Disasters”, explains how to identify disinformation and where to find shelter during explosions or other attacks on urban areas.

It also addresses ways to cope with fears and concerns in extreme situations.

Since the first guide was published back in 1990, military scenarios had not been mentioned in these brochures. The focus was mainly on natural disasters and technical failures, such as the recent power outage in Spain and Portugal last April, which left millions across the Iberian Peninsula without electricity.

For the first time, the guide specifically mentions hybrid threats: cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, disinformation strategies, sabotage, and war.

“Global developments worry many people,” says Ralf Tisler, adding: “With our new guide, we want to provide support and guidance where people are concerned or need information.”

Even the head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Martin Heger, warned that the possibility of war is not entirely impossible.

“We are already on the frontline; we must not become complacent,” cautioned Heger, who previously served as Germany’s ambassador to Ukraine.

“Living Supplies”, Food Storage, Gallons of Water, Sausages…

The guide aims to lay the groundwork to help German households prepare for emergencies.

The new report comes with a checklist, allowing consumers to track their supplies and calculate the amount they would actually need in an emergency.

For example, if a family of four wants to prepare optimally according to the recommendation of a ten-day supply, it quickly becomes clear that this is not just a matter of cost but also of storage space.

Only water takes up space for eight crates, plus 20 large cans of vegetables (800 g each), 12 cans of fruit, 7–9 cartons of milk depending on cheese needs. At least one bottle of oil adds another liter, and eggs and sausages also require space.

You can count on at least one, if not several, additional shelf spaces besides the water. Depending on purchase options, costs are expected to be between €200–€300.

The solution BBK came up with is to maintain a “living supply,” meaning Germans should keep a normal consumption cycle rather than hoarding canned food. Newly bought products are moved to the back of shelves, and older items with shorter expiration dates are used first.

“Next time, add one or two extra products to your shopping, like pasta or canned goods. Do this a few times, and you’ll have supplies for several days,” said the BBK head.

It’s also recommended to check your home medicine cabinet to ensure you have essential medications for a few days or to purchase new ones designated for emergencies, the guide notes.

An alert app is suggested to receive timely information. The federal office also warns that power outages may occur; in that case, information must be obtained by other means.

Thus, useful items include a hand-crank or solar flashlight, a battery-powered radio, and camping equipment…