It is time we prepare for a crisis, says a preparedness expert. She also knows what it takes for you to take it seriously.

When the authorities come under massive pressure, resources must be used for the most vulnerable citizens. Therefore, it is crucial that as many people as possible are resilient, says Lene Sandberg.

- It is, of course, extremely annoying not to have water from the tap or be able to flush the toilet. But if everyone expects the problem to be solved immediately and starts contacting the authorities, we make their work even harder.

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Preparation requires imagination

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The Danish Defence Intelligence Service assesses ( https://www.fe-ddis.dk/globalassets/fe/dokumenter/2026/trusselsvurderinger/-vurdering-af-truslen-fra-rusland-.pdf ) that there is a small but increasing probability that Russia will launch a minor military attack on a NATO country ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/live-forsvarets-efterretningstjeneste-fortaeller-nyt-om-truslen-fra-rusland ). And according to the National Risk Picture ( https://samsik.dk/publikation/nationalt-risikobillede-2025/ ) from last year, there are also plenty of scenarios where Russia or other actors could cause disruptions in Denmark.

According to the latest survey, only two out of five Danes have followed the Danish Emergency Management Agency's recommendations ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/ulrick-har-preppet-siden-dag-et-det-er-noget-sjusk-hvis-man-ikke-forbereder-sig ). The ones about having water, food, and supplies to manage on their own for three days.

> We have difficulty preparing for events that we have difficulty imagining.

Lene Sandberg knows many explanations for why far from all Danes are ready for a crisis. For some, the risk simply does not weigh heavily enough in everyday life. Others experience that they cannot afford or do not have the space to establish an emergency supply at home.

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What you can do - alone and with your neighbours

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All citizens should have water, food, first aid supplies, toilet paper, and other necessities to be able to manage on their own for three days.

Also make sure to have a flashlight, candles, an FM radio, and batteries at home. The frequency for the emergency broadcasts on P4 depends on where in the country you live. See an overview here. ( https://www.dr.dk/om-dr/nyheder/beredskab/saadan-modtager-du-bedst-fm-signalet )

Read more at the Danish Emergency Management Agency. ( https://samsik.dk/forberedt/ )

*Local preparedness:*

Meet with neighbours or residents in your building and discuss how you can prepare together and support each other if a crisis occurs.

Make your own emergency plan: Agree on a meeting point and who does what -

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