Group says Iceland preparedness booklet lacks wartime guidance

The association Varðmenn Íslands says a new civil protection booklet lacks guidance on what to do if war breaks out in Iceland, mbl.is reports. The group welcomed the publication of Let’s Be Prepared and thanked civil protection authorities, the Red Cross and the country’s rescue teams for producing it.

Varðmenn Íslands urged people to read the booklet and keep supplies for at least three days. The group says neighbouring countries advise residents to have supplies for a week, while Iceland’s guidance covers three days. It also says the booklet does not clearly specify how much water, medicine and cash each household should have.

The association published its own guide this autumn, titled If an emergency or war breaks out, covering these issues. It is available to everyone, and the group has offered civil protection authorities the chance to use its material in a future edition.

Daði Freyr Ólafsson, the association’s managing director, said its aim was to point out gaps in the booklet. He listed items people should keep available, including a first-aid kit, cash, medicines, hygiene products, warm clothes, a torch and a radio. He said the subject could be difficult to think about and that “a certain taboo” surrounded it.

Varðmenn Íslands says it aims to build a movement that prioritises Iceland’s security and future, and is preparing to establish an Icelandic army. Ólafsson said the purpose of raising preparedness was not to encourage the formation of an army, but to help people manage until assistance arrives from abroad. “There are not many supplies in the country to keep society running as it does today,” he said. “Rationing supplies would have to be introduced tomorrow.”