Emergency kit and emergency plan: why is it important and what do you need?
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Between November 2025 and January 2026, everyone in the Netherlands will receive a leaflet from the government about making an emergency plan and an emergency kit. With good preparation, you can help yourself and your family in emergency situations. In this article you will read why an emergency plan and emergency kit are important and what exactly you need to do.
What is an emergency plan and what do you put in it?
An emergency plan is a simple plan with clear agreements that help you act quickly in an emergency situation. In the Netherlands, we almost always have electricity, water and internet. But in an emergency, such as extreme weather, war or a major power failure, these things can suddenly disappear. Help can then take a while to arrive. That is why it is a good idea to be well prepared.
The emergency plan ensures that you and those around you stay calm and know immediately what to do. With an emergency plan, you know who to call, where to meet with family and friends, and who has what duties.
Important phone numbers and radio stations
Write important phone numbers such as family, roommates, general practitioner, school or daycare and neighbours in the emergency plan. Also add your area's disaster radio station to your emergency plan. Write down the radio frequency so you can always get information during an emergency. Also, emergency services: 112 for emergencies, 0900-8844 for police (not for emergencies). You can use your own booklet for this, or the one you received in the post from
Where to meet family and friends
When phones or the internet are not working, you need a regular place to meet with family or friends, such as a community centre, family's home or a recognisable place in the neighbourhood. This is where you can always get together.
Who takes care of whom
Agree on who will take on what tasks in an emergency. For example, agree on who will pick up the children, who will help an elderly roommate or who will care for a sick or frail family member. That way everyone knows exactly what to do if something happens.
Save your emergency plan
Do you have an emergency plan? Discuss this with your partner, children or neighbours. Take a picture or copy and give it to your emergency contacts. Keep the plan in a permanent place, such as with your emergency kit, on the refrigerator or by the fuse box.
What is an emergency kit and why do you need it?
An emergency kit is a collection of items you need during an emergency.
The Dutch government recommends having an emergency kit in your home that allows you to survive for at least 72 hours. For example, in the event of a major power failure, flood or war. With an emergency kit, you can save yourself and your family during that time.
Keep your emergency items in a place you can quickly access. Also have a bag ready there in case you have to leave your home unexpectedly. In that bag, just put important things, such as keys, your ID and cash.
What is in an emergency kit?
A good emergency kit contains items you need to survive for 2 to 3 days by yourself.
Water and food
Drinking water: a minimum of 2 litres per person per day
Canned food, such as beans, corn, soup, tuna, frankfurters
Pasta, rice, nuts, crackers
Baby food or other special food
Extra pet food, if you have one
Light and warmth
Torch + extra batteries
Candles
Lighters or waterproof matches
Warm blankets
First aid and medication
Plasters
Dressing
Painkillers
Important medications
Copies of medical records
Handy items and tools
A battery-powered, solar-powered or rotary crank emergency radio
Multitool (knife, scissors, pliers in 1)
Power bank
Plastic bags
Small gas burner with gas canister
Hammer, saw and cutters.
Essential documents (in a plastic folder)
Passport or ID card
Insurance documents
List of telephone numbers
Prescriptions for medications
Cash
About €70 per adult and €30 per child.
Hygiene products
Disinfectant gel
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Sanitary towels
Toothpaste and a toothbrush
Spare keys
An extra key to your house and car.
Whistle or distress signal
To let emergency services know where you are if you cannot call. You can buy a whistle for this, but some emergency radios also have a distress signal button. Both of these work well.
Check where emergency support centres are in your municipality
Emergency support centres are places in municipalities where you can go if:
You have no power
You cannot reach help
You need information
You need medical attention
You are looking for a warm place or safety
Examples of emergency support centres:
Neighbourhood houses
Town halls
Fire stations
Schools
If necessary, the government opens these emergency support centres. The emergency transmitter on the radio will tell you where these centres are in your neighbourhood.
Prepare well
With an emergency plan and emergency kit, you can better protect yourself and your family in an emergency situation. Make sure you have the most important items in your home, note your area's disaster station and discuss the plan with those around you. Start preparing today.