How to Prepare for War in Your Country

If your country edges toward conflict, preparation isn’t about fear — it’s about readiness.
War disrupts everything: power, food, communications, and trust.

The best way to protect your family and community is to plan ahead calmly and systematically.

This guide focuses on civilian safety and self-reliance, not violence. It’s about keeping yourself alive, informed, and connected when institutions break down.

Phase 1: What To Do Right Now

1. Make a plan with your household. Pick meeting points (home, neighbor, out-of-area contact), agree on triggers for leaving vs staying, and assign responsibilities (who grabs documents, who pets, who contacts whom).
2. Assemble a 72-hour “go” bag for each person (see checklist below).
3. Secure important documents in a waterproof, fireproof bag and backup digital copies (encrypted).
4. Get basic first-aid & CPR training (Red Cross / local health orgs).
5. Know local routes & shelters. Identify at least two evacuation routes and the nearest official shelters. Bookmark maps offline.

1. Make a Family Plan

Decide where to meet, who contacts whom, and what triggers evacuation.
Pick:

• A home meeting point
• A nearby safe house (trusted friend or family)
• An out-of-area contact everyone messages if separated

2. Build Your 72-Hour “Go Bag” per person

Every person should have a bag they can grab in seconds.

Essentials include:

• Water: 3 litres/day × 3 days = 9 L (or water purification tablets + filter)
• Food: 3 days of nonperishable, ready-to-eat food (calorie-dense bars, canned meals, MREs)
• First aid kit (bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic, pain relievers, personal meds — 7 days of prescriptions)
• Warm layers, hat, gloves, sturdy shoes
• Rain jacket + emergency blanket
• Flashlight (headlamp + spare batteries) and a small wind-up or battery radio
• Multi-tool, duct tape, zip ties
• Copies of ID, passports, insurance papers, key contact list, cash in local & small USD (or widely accepted)
• Phone charger + power bank, solar charger if possible
• Hygiene: toothbrush, wet wipes, small towel, hand sanitizer
• Whistle, small flashlight, local map (paper)
• Spare keys, small amount of personal comfort (photo)
• For infants/elderly: diapers, formula, medical supplies
• Face masks, eye protection

3. Safeguard Your Identity

Keep digital copies of passports, IDs, and bank records encrypted offline.
Store originals in a waterproof pouch.

Phase 2: Short-Term Readiness (Days → Weeks)

Shelter or Evacuate

Shelter/Stay vs Evacuate decision

• Follow official guidance. If told to evacuate, go early to avoid congestion.
• If sheltering in place: choose an interior room, away from windows; have materials to seal vents/windows if needed.

Food & water

• Build a 2-week pantry: canned protein, rice/pasta, cooking fat, powdered milk, high-calorie snacks.
• Store at least 14 litres of water per person (drinking + hygiene) or reliable water treatment.

Power & heating

• Have at least one reliable backup power source (power bank, small generator where legal, solar panel + battery) and safe fuel storage practices.
• Stock warm bedding and fuel alternatives for heating that are safe indoors (follow local safety rules).

Communications

• Establish an out-of-area contact (a single person outside the region who everyone texts when safe).
• Use SMS first — data networks can be overloaded. Have a secondary means: a battery-powered radio, or local HAM radio community info.
• Pre-write short message templates (e.g., “Safe, at home” / “Evacuating to X”).

Finance

• Keep some cash in small denominations (ATMs may be down).
• Access to accounts: keep account numbers, bank cards, and passwords stored securely (password manager + physical copy in safe).
• If you use digital currencies, keep one offline/cold backup of keys in a secure physical place.

Phase 3: Long-Term Resilience (Months → Years)

Home hardening (non-violent)

• Reinforce doors, add secure deadbolts, secure windows with shutters or boards.
• Fire safety: smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, evacuation ladders for upper floors.

Food & water security

• Grow a basic survival garden — staple crops, root storage, canning skills.
• Rainwater harvesting (where legal) + filtration system.

Energy independence

• Learn basics of solar + battery setups or alternative safe heating.
• Prioritize proven, safe systems and legal compliance.

Medical & skills

• Advanced first aid (wound care, splinting), water purification, sanitation, basic mechanics, and small-scale farming.
• Mental-health resilience training: stress management, peer support.

Community

• Build local networks — neighbors, community groups, volunteer emergency teams. Strength in coordination and sharing resources.
• Know where to get help: local NGOs, churches, community centers.

Digital safety (operational security)

• Back up important files offline and encrypted (external drive stored separately).
• Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager.
• Use end-to-end encrypted messaging for sensitive family/location info (Signal, where available).
• Be cautious posting live location/status publicly — it can put you and others at risk.
• Keep devices charged and portable power handy.

Legal, civic & informational steps

• Register with your embassy if you’re abroad.
• Monitor official channels only for evacuation orders and shelter info (government, emergency management, reputable NGOs). Avoid rumors on social media.
• Know your legal rights around curfews, checkpoints, and movement in your country.
• If you plan to donate or volunteer, coordinate with accredited humanitarian organizations.

What NOT to do

• Don’t spread unverified threats/rumors — they create panic.
• Don’t attempt to engage in combat or provide instructions on weapons or attacks.
• Don’t rely solely on social media — verify with multiple official sources.
• Don’t hoard to the point that neighbors lack basics — community cooperation saves lives.

Learn and Train

• First Aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
• Community Emergency Response (CERT)
• Fire safety, food preservation, and off-grid living basics

Quick-Start Timeline

Day 0–3: Go-bag, documents, contacts
Week 1–2: Stock pantry, first-aid course
Month 1: Power & comms backups, practice evacuation
3–12 Months: Build food/energy systems, community network

Final Word

Preparing for war isn’t paranoia — it’s responsibility.
In unstable times, readiness means freedom: the ability to protect your loved ones and rebuild when peace returns.

“Survival isn’t about fear. It’s about readiness.”