Hold the toilet paper, talk to your neighbours: Australian experts on surviving disaster

Unlike the UK, Australian authorities have not advised residents to stockpile food and essential supplies, stating the risks are different here. While households worldwide are being urged to prepare for disruption due to climate-related disasters, cyber-attacks, and global instability, experts in building resilience argue that connecting with your community is more important than stockpiling toilet paper.

The UK government launched a campaign encouraging people to gather emergency stockpiles, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham including beans, soup, and Twiglets in his list. This prompted a fake "emergency request" from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which only fueled the debate. The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) responded, clarifying that the Australian government has not asked Australians to stockpile food or water.

Nema emphasizes that Australia's risk profile differs from other countries, with threats such as bushfires, floods, tropical cyclones, severe storms, heatwaves, and drought affecting regions uniquely. Experts stress the importance of community connection over stockpiling, as being psychologically prepared for a crisis involves discussing coping strategies with family and understanding local hazards.

In Australia, people are advised to create emergency kits containing essentials like food, health supplies, and cash. The Australian Red Cross offers guides to help households prepare for various hazards. While some worry about potential cyber-attacks and global instability, experts argue that the Australian government must better educate the public about critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and encourage open discussions about preparedness.