Belgium prepares for future crises with major awareness campaign

Belgium prepares for emergencies: rescue kits, Be-Alert, and first aid numbers

Wartime mindset? Belgium advises population to prepare 'emergency kit' (paywall after first paragraph)

Similar to Sweden's "In case of Crisis or War" pamphlets circulated to all citizens a few years ago, Belgium is advising its citizens, among other things:

Quote"It is important that we learn how to take matters into our own hands during challenging times," said outgoing Home Affairs minister Annelies Verlinden. "We cannot rely on the government for everything."

Quote"There is no reason to panic, but we need to lay the groundwork for a 'risk culture' in our country," the Crisis Center tells Le Soir.

I think it's important to be aware of developments like these not to sow fear, paranoia or as a congratulatory self pat on the back for our own prepping mindset (OK, maybe a bit of the latter ).  But rather as a "reading the tea leaves" sort of thing.  European governments are increasingly serious about this shit and seem to be preparing their citizens for a possible future very different than the relative peace and prosperity they enjoy today. 

So one can reasonably wonder exactly why.  Notably the justification for national preparedness campaigns isn't just the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters (catastrophic floods in Spain or deadly central European heat waves, anyone?) but also real concern over political instability (no interest in discussing the particulars, just pointing it out as a fact) and the looming threat of war.  Belgium certainly has it's not-so-distant experience with a hostile invasion and foreign occupation, so it's not like any of this is strictly academic. 

Like it or not, we live in a global economy. It would be a mistake to assume that what happens on the other side of the Atlantic, the Middle East or in Southeast Asia won't affect us.  And vice versa for our international forum members.

Our country needs this too.

Quote from: Moab on December 21, 2024, 06:29:26 PMOur country needs this too.

Any volunteers to write up our press release for this?  I think we're one of the few organizations in the USA doing this that isn't filled with people you wouldn't want to share a bus ride with.

Quote from: NT2C on December 21, 2024, 10:34:58 PM

Quote from: Moab on December 21, 2024, 06:29:26 PMOur country needs this too.

Any volunteers to write up our press release for this?  I think we're one of the few organizations in the USA doing this that isn't filled with people you wouldn't want to share a bus ride with.

Do you mean a "Preparedness themed Online Forum Urges Every Household to Plan for Emergencies" sort of thing? 

Quote from: majorhavoc on December 22, 2024, 09:22:58 AM

Quote from: NT2C on December 21, 2024, 10:34:58 PM

Quote from: Moab on December 21, 2024, 06:29:26 PMOur country needs this too.

Any volunteers to write up our press release for this?  I think we're one of the few organizations in the USA doing this that isn't filled with people you wouldn't want to share a bus ride with.

Do you mean a "Preparedness themed Online Forum Urges Every Household to Plan for Emergencies" sort of thing?

Well, that sounds better than, "Shit's Going to Shit, We Think You Should Get this Shit, and Do This Shit"

Quote from: NT2C on December 22, 2024, 12:35:54 PM

Quote from: majorhavoc on December 22, 2024, 09:22:58 AM

Quote from: NT2C on December 21, 2024, 10:34:58 PM

Quote from: Moab on December 21, 2024, 06:29:26 PMOur country needs this too.

Any volunteers to write up our press release for this?  I think we're one of the few organizations in the USA doing this that isn't filled with people you wouldn't want to share a bus ride with.

Do you mean a "Preparedness themed Online Forum Urges Every Household to Plan for Emergencies" sort of thing?

Well, that sounds better than, "Shit's Going to Shit, We Think You Should Get this Shit, and Do This Shit"

How did this not win the website slogan contest?!

Quote from: echo83 on December 24, 2024, 10:24:37 AM

Quote from: NT2C on December 22, 2024, 12:35:54 PM

Quote from: majorhavoc on December 22, 2024, 09:22:58 AM

Quote from: NT2C on December 21, 2024, 10:34:58 PM

Quote from: Moab on December 21, 2024, 06:29:26 PMOur country needs this too.

Any volunteers to write up our press release for this?  I think we're one of the few organizations in the USA doing this that isn't filled with people you wouldn't want to share a bus ride with.

Do you mean a "Preparedness themed Online Forum Urges Every Household to Plan for Emergencies" sort of thing?

Well, that sounds better than, "Shit's Going to Shit, We Think You Should Get this Shit, and Do This Shit"

How did this not win the website slogan contest?!

We may run another this coming year.  Feel free to steal it and submit it.