Greenlanders urged to have supplies for five days as emergency equipment sells out

The government of Greenland (Naalakkersuisut) has issued new guidance urging households to be prepared to manage on their own for up to five days in the event of a crisis. Officials say that a recently published preparedness brochure is intended to strengthen resilience among citizens, public broadcaster KNR reports.

Naalakkersuisut said the guidance, produced by the Department of Nature and Environment, is designed to ensure that individuals and families can cope during disruptions such as power outages, extreme weather or supply interruptions. The recommendations include storing drinking water, non-perishable food, medications, warm clothing, backup power sources, basic communication tools and hunting weapons with ammunition.

Officials stressed that the initiative should not be interpreted as a warning of an impending crisis. Instead, the aim is to improve overall preparedness so authorities can focus their efforts on the most urgent needs if disruptions occur.

The guidance is being released at a time of heightened geopolitical tension surrounding Greenland, as US President Donald Trump and figures closely aligned with him have sharply escalated rhetoric about the United States annexing the Arctic nation. This week, Trump threatened to place a 10% tariff on eight European countries, which have opposed his takeover plans.

Public concern is already being reflected in consumer behaviour. Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq reported Wednesday that residents in the capital, Nuuk, have been stocking up on emergency equipment amid fears linked to US annexation rhetoric, with items such as power generators and water containers selling out at local stores. Hardware store manager Anthon Mølgaard told Sermitsiaq that he can see “fear” in the faces of his customers.

Greenlandic officials have been careful to frame the preparedness advice as a practical response to domestic vulnerabilities rather than international politics. The government said work on the brochure began in 2024 after a series of short- and long-lasting power outages exposed weaknesses in household readiness. Residents are also encouraged to consider the needs of children, elderly family members and pets, and to maintain access to battery-powered radios or other backup communication tools.

While officials have sought to separate civil preparedness from geopolitical developments, the timing of the guidance points to growing concern among officials and the public.