National Crisis Center recommends that you also put cash in emergency package

« European citizens have to get an emergency package so that they can survive at least 72 hours, » the European Commission said earlier this year in response to the increased geopolitical tensions worldwide. « We face a new reality, with increasing risks and deep uncertainty, » it sounded earlier at Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for ready and crisis management. « The war of Russia against Ukraine, increasing geopolitical tensions, hybrid and cyber attacks based on other countries, sabotage that focuses against critical infrastructure, manipulation, interference and electronic warfare have become the reality of today. This is a wake-up call for Europe. »

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200 euros

The Netherlands has now given the advice for such an emergency package an update, with the additional advice to also get cash at home. The target amount is 70 euros per adult and 30 euros per child, or 200 euros for an average family. An amount that is intended for necessary messages, medicines and transport and that should suffice to be able to complete 72 hours without digital payment transactions.

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In Belgium, according to the National Bank and Bankenkoepel Febelfin, there is not such formal advice for the time being. « But it certainly doesn’t hurt to have some cash at hand, » says a spokesperson for the National Bank in Het Laatste Nieuws. “Just look at The recent power fane in Spain and Portugalwhere at that time it could only be paid with cash for hours. « 

In the list of the National Crisis Center of what is best in an emergency package, there is no cash money for the time being, although that will change at the beginning of June. « Then the official advice will receive an update and cash money will also be added to the list, » says spokesman Yves Stevens in Het Laatste Nieuws. « It is a good reflex to keep some cash at hand, together with, for example, a flashlight, batteries and drinking water. »

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A target amount like in the Netherlands is not coming for the time being. « That has to be viewed in consultation with Febelfin and other partners, » said Stevens. « Because how much you need, of course, depends on your situation. Do you have a well -filled pantry? Do you have to be responsible for an older one? Do you depend on medication? That differs for everyone. »