Malaysia can learn from Europe's three-day emergency stockpiling advice, says academic

KUALA LUMPUR: Climate change and extreme weather that could trigger power blackouts are among the primary reasons the European Union and countries like the United Kingdom are urging citizens to stockpile at least three days of essential supplies.

London-based Global Peace Institute senior fellow Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Aslam said the move was also part of an annual preparedness routine across Europe to equip communities for emergencies before help arrives.

Drawing from his experience living in Europe, Mizan said such measures typically involved rotating dry food stocks and replacing batteries in emergency equipment such as torches.

"Another factor is that Europe is preparing for global disruptions such as electricity and internet blackouts, which are linked to tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran.

"There is a strong possibility, as Iran has also indicated, that undersea cables connecting the East and West could be severed. This would have a massive impact, disrupting power, the internet and other services across many areas.

"Governments are therefore advising their people to prepare for such scenarios so they have basic provisions ready, though they are not being asked to panic-buy," he said.

Mizan was commenting on campaigns by the EU and several countries, including the "Be Ready" initiative in October, urging citizens to store at least three days of basic supplies to face potential crises.

He said another factor was the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, alongside rising tensions with the nuclear-armed North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

"These are among the factors why Europeans are being advised to ensure they have enough food supplies and power banks at this time," he said.

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Mizan said that while Europe was systematically prepared for any eventuality, communities worldwide, including Malaysia, should adopt similar crisis preparedness measures.

"Malaysia is among the countries that are not prepared for emergencies, possibly because we assume we still have access to abundant resources.

"Having ample resources may apply to those in villages or rural areas, but residents living in apartments or large housing estates lack direct access and readiness for such emergencies, and this is what needs to be addressed," he said.