The new Think Ahead campaign, launched in Dutch as Denk vooruit, encourages the government to prepare residents for emergencies, such as being without water, power, or internet for 72 hours.
It’s not just natural disasters or power cuts that require preparation; digital outages can also disrupt the country. Imagine a major blackout or cyberattack that takes down cash machines, the internet, or mobile networks. The Think Ahead campaign demonstrates how an emergency kit, a personal plan, and looking out for one another can make a difference in a crisis. The campaign website provides practical information, such as how to assemble an emergency kit.
Join the effort
This campaign assists professionals working for safety regions (veiligheidsregio’s), local councils, and government organisations in preparing their communities for emergencies. However, it is also valuable for other organisations. A toolkit (in Dutch) was developed to facilitate the regular incorporation of risk awareness into local communications. The campaign is coordinated by the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), working in collaboration with national, regional, and local authorities, as well as businesses and community partners.
The need to prepare
The call to prepare is not without reason. Research commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and Security (Dutch) shows that 60% of people in the Netherlands believe the risk of an emergency has increased over the past year. They are concerned about significant power cuts, extreme weather, or cyberattacks. Yet, only 30% say they are prepared. For example, by having an emergency kit in place. All the more reason to take action now.
