On April 21, 2026, the National Crisis Center (NCCN) launched the campaign 'Together Prepared' — a four-year national program to make Belgian families more resilient in emergencies. Power outages, floods, gas leaks — emergencies occur more often than you think. In 2025 alone, the government sent over 2 million text messages via BE-Alert during crisis scenarios.

The government's message is clear: be self-sufficient for 72 hours. But what does that mean in practice? What do you put in an emergency kit, and where do you start?

Why the government recommends an emergency kit

When an emergency strikes, emergency services are not always immediately available. The longer you and your family can fend for yourselves, the more capacity there is for aid workers to focus on those who truly need it.

The crisis center advises everyone to assemble an emergency kit that allows you to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days (72 hours) — without electricity, tap water, internet, or gas.

That might sound extensive, but in practice, it involves a limited number of specific items.

The official checklist: what's in an emergency kit?

The crisis center distinguishes between two parts: a quick grab bag for evacuation, and an emergency supply at home if you need to shelter in place.

🎒 The evacuation bag (to take with you when leaving)

Identification documents — copies of ID cards, insurance, medical info
Cash — ATMs and payment terminals may fail
Basic first aid kit — plasters, bandages, disinfectant, pain relievers
Necessary medications — for yourself or family members
Flashlight + batteries
Pen and paper
List of important phone numbers

🏠 The home kit (for sheltering in place)

Water — 3 to 10 liters per person per day (for drinking, cooking, and washing)
Non-perishable food — nuts, canned goods, dried fruit — no preparation needed
Battery-powered radio or power bank — stay informed via official channels
Flashlight, candles, matches
Emergency blanket — retains up to 90% of your body heat
First aid kit
Hygiene — disinfectant gel, toilet paper, wet wipes

Specific situations: Do you have pets, babies, or family members on medication? Add a pet carrier, baby food, or extra medications to your personal emergency kit.

💡 Crisis center tip: Store your emergency kit in a dry, easily accessible place — not in a basement prone to flooding. Check the contents every six months.

Assemble it yourself or buy ready-made?

You probably already have many items at home. A blanket, matches, some canned goods — the basics are quickly gathered. But assembling a complete and well-organized emergency kit takes time and requires knowledge of what truly matters in a crisis situation.

A ready-made emergency kit offers three advantages:

Completeness — nothing forgotten, everything tailored to emergencies
Quality — materials tested for use under pressure
Speed — ready immediately, no time lost searching for and buying individual items

At AlfaSurvival, you'll find emergency kits that align with the crisis center's recommendations — from compact first aid kits to complete 72-hour kits for the entire family.

👉View the 72-hour Basic Emergency Kit — immediately available

👉 View all emergency kits for Belgium

What else does the 'Together Prepared' campaign do?

The campaign runs for four years and addresses new themes each year: nuclear risks, Seveso zones, evacuation procedures. The first part focuses on information channels: knowing where to find reliable updates during a crisis.

Three steps recommended by the crisis center:

Register for free on BE-Alert — the official alert system via SMS and email
Follow your municipality and province's channels — local information is the fastest
View the risks in your region via crisiscentrum.be

Frequently asked questions about emergency kits in Belgium

Do I have to have an emergency kit by law? No, it's not a legal obligation — but the National Crisis Center strongly recommends it. The Belgian government thus follows the European guideline to make citizens self-sufficient for 72 hours.

How much water do I need in an emergency kit? Count on 3 to 10 liters per person per day. That sounds like a lot, but water isn't just for drinking: cooking, washing, and sanitation also count. For a family of four for 72 hours, you can quickly reach 36 to 120 liters — a water filter or water purification tablets are a smart addition then.

What's the difference between a 72-hour emergency kit and a first aid kit? A first aid kit is one component of a complete emergency kit — focused on medical first aid. A 72-hour emergency kit is broader: water, food, lighting, communication, and first aid. Ideally, you have both, or choose a complete kit that combines everything.

Is a ready-made emergency kit better than assembling it yourself? That depends on your situation. Assembling it yourself is cheaper if you already have many items at home. A ready-made kit saves time and guarantees completeness — handy if you want to act quickly or want to be sure you're not missing anything.