The Dutch government plans to increase the country's resilience against large-scale armed conflict and other crises, such as floods, pandemics, and prolonged outages of essential services. Minister Van Weel of Justice and Security and Minister Brekelmans of Defense have presented a comprehensive plan outlining this "resilience task" for the Netherlands.
Citizens are advised to keep an emergency kit at home in case of electricity outages, loss of internet, or interruption of water supply. Companies and municipalities are also encouraged to develop crisis scenarios to prepare for potential threats.
Due to rising international tensions and daily cyberattacks, espionage, and sabotage, the government believes that enhancing resilience will deter countries like Russia and China. A national campaign will launch in 2025 to inform citizens about how they can prepare for various threats.
Ministers emphasize the urgency, stating that the Netherlands is "not yet at war, but also no longer in peace," and must defend against hybrid attacks while increasing military readiness. The goal is to ensure that, in the event of conflict, the economy continues to function and governmental operations remain stable.
Source: NOS News