Poland issues emergency preparedness guidelines for 72-hour crises

The Polish government, through the Ministry of Interior and Administration, is emphasizing the importance of household preparedness for the first 72 hours of a crisis. Official safety guidelines recommend that households maintain supplies to function independently for at least three days, including a minimum of 3 liters of water per person per day, food, medicine, and essential equipment like flashlights and power banks.

A key component of this preparedness is maintaining a cash reserve. Authorities and the European Central Bank (ECB) highlight that during major power outages or telecommunications failures, digital payment methods such as cards, mobile banking, and BLIK may become unusable due to the lack of internet or electricity for terminals and ATMs. While the Polish government does not specify a mandatory amount, the ECB notes that in countries like the Netherlands, Austria, and Finland, recommendations often suggest a reserve of approximately 70–100 euros per person to cover basic needs during the initial 72-hour window.

The guidance is intended to ensure citizens can purchase essential goods during temporary infrastructure disruptions and is not a mandate for mandatory stockpiling or a call to withdraw all savings.