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Guide · GUIDE 01

Build an emergency supply in one weekend

Last reviewed on 30.06.2026

The Federal Office for National Economic Supply recommends an emergency supply for about one week: at least 9 litres of drinking water per person plus durable food for about seven days. Also add medicines, a battery-powered light source, an FM radio, spare batteries and some cash. Use up and replace the supply regularly.

The federal government recommends every household keep emergency supplies: food for about one week and 9 litres of water per person (three days at 3 litres). The principle is «good advice – emergency supplies»: buy only what you already eat anyway, and use and replace your supplies in daily life.

Why do I need an emergency supply?

Emergency supplies bridge the first days when shops are closed, supply chains are disrupted or you cannot leave your home – for example during a power outage, severe weather, a chemical incident with instructions to «stay indoors» or a pandemic.

The aim is not panic buying, but a living supply: you buy things you eat anyway, a little in reserve, and use them up in daily life. That way nothing goes to waste and everything stays fresh.

Important distinction: the emergency supply is meant for staying at home. If you have to leave your home quickly, you also need an emergency bag ready to grab.

How do I build an emergency supply step by step?

  1. Calculate requirement: people × 7 days (plus pets)
  2. Write a shopping list – storable & favoured
  3. Buy double during your normal weekly shopping instead of panic buying
  4. Store cool, dry and dark
  5. Create an inventory list with expiry dates
  6. Use and replace supplies in daily life («first in, first out»)

Federal guideline values

The 9 litres are drinking and cooking water and, according to FONES, cover about three days. Water for hygiene and the toilet (utility water) is not included and comes on top. As a rough planning value for the amount of food, cantons and German authorities cite around 2,200 kilocalories per adult per day – this is a guideline value, not a federal figure and not a physiological must; actual needs depend on age, sex, weight and activity.

For comparison: Germany recommends a 10-day supply with around 20 litres of water per person (2 litres per day). Because the Swiss 9 litres cover only three days and the German figure ten days, the two numbers are not directly comparable – Switzerland deliberately plans the supply for about one week.

  1. At least 9 L of water per person (three days at 3 litres)
  2. Food for approximately 1 week
  3. Plus: battery/crank radio, torch, candles, gas cooker, cash, hygiene items
  4. Rotation instead of waste: «first in, first out»

Specific material and quantity examples

The quantities below are a proven example per person and week – adapt them to your eating habits. Storable means: keeps without refrigeration and can be eaten without much energy expenditure.

  1. Water: at least 9 L per person (e.g. six 1.5-L bottles); keeps for years unopened
  2. Starches: pasta, rice, polenta, couscous, crispbread – around 1.5–2 kg
  3. Protein: tinned food (beans, lentils, tuna, ravioli), dried meat – several tins
  4. Fats & energy: oil, nuts, chocolate, cereal/energy bars
  5. Enjoyment & vitamins: dried fruit, hard cheese, UHT milk, coffee/tea, hard biscuits
  6. Babies, allergy sufferers, chronically ill: plan appropriate specialist food and regular medicines separately
  7. Equipment: gas cooker with spare cartridges, tin opener (manual!), battery/crank radio, torch, spare batteries, candles/lighter, hygiene and first-aid materials, cash in small notes

Expanded checklist by categories

A complete emergency supply is more than just food. The Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES) and Alertswiss recommend thinking in categories – that way you won't forget anything important. The federal government deliberately does not specify fixed kilogram quantities; instead use the emergency supply calculator and follow your actual consumption.

  1. Water & drinks: at least 9 L drinking water per person (six-pack of 1.5 L), plus durable drinks
  2. Basic food: rice, pasta, flour, tinned food, UHT milk, hard cheese, dried meat, chocolate
  3. Special needs: baby food, pet food, regular medicines, electrolytes/ORS, allergy products
  4. Energy & light: torch, candles, lighter, gas cooker with spare cartridges, power bank
  5. Communication: battery/crank radio (FM/DAB+), Alertswiss app, emergency numbers 144/117/118/145/1414
  6. Hygiene: about 50 hygiene masks per person, disinfectant, emergency toilet solution, bin bags
  7. Documents & money: ID, insurance policies, some cash in small notes
  8. Tools & warmth: manual tin opener, multi-tool, first-aid kit, warm clothing and blankets

Which emergency food suits which situation?

The basis of your emergency supply is your everyday supply: things you eat anyway, a little in reserve. For special situations – a ready-to-grab emergency bag or very long storage – there is specialist emergency food. The following overview helps with categorisation; for details see the guide «MRE, emergency rations & freeze-dried».

Always plan emergency food together with water: emergency ration bars and MREs need no additional water, freeze-dried dishes need it.

Comparison: types of emergency food at a glance
Type Water/cooking needed Shelf life Typical use
Everyday emergency supply (tinned food, pasta, rice) partly cooking months to years at home – basis of the week's supply
Emergency ration bars (e.g. NRG-5, Seven Oceans) no up to approx. 20 years emergency bag, ready to eat immediately
MRE (ready-made meal in a pouch) no (heat pack included) approx. 3 years at 27 °C away from home, hot meal without fire
Freeze-dried (packet meal) yes, (hot) water up to approx. 25–30 years light long-term/hiking supplies

Shelf lives are typical values and depend heavily on storage temperature. For basic home preparedness, a well-rotated everyday supply is sufficient.

Recommended products

Manual tin opener

Basic equipment

In a power outage, a mechanical tin opener is essential – tinned food is otherwise barely usable in an emergency.

  • robust metal design
  • usable without power or batteries
  • easy to grip even with cold hands

Battery or crank radio (FM/DAB+)

Information

Receives government announcements even when power and mobile networks have failed.

  • FM and DAB+ reception
  • crank or solar charging as backup
  • optional USB output for phone charging

Camping stove with spare cartridges

Preparation

Enables cooking and boiling water independent of the electricity network – use only with good ventilation (carbon monoxide).

  • plan sufficient spare cartridges
  • wind-resistant
  • stable for larger pots

Common mistakes

  1. Build up a supply and forget it: without rotation products expire – check once a year
  2. Only tinned food, but no manual tin opener and no water for preparation
  3. Hoard a gas cooker but no spare cartridges – or vice versa
  4. Forget favourite foods: a supply you don't like won't be used up in daily life
  5. Forget cash: during a power outage cards and cash points do not work
Emergency supply: quantities per person (FONES)
Category Recommendation per person Coverage / Note
Drinking water at least 9 litres (e.g. one six-pack of 1.5 L) covers approx. 3 days for drinking/cooking per FONES
Food (durable) supply for about 1 week (~7 days) use up and replace regularly
Cash «some cash» (small notes/coins) no official franc amount specified
Pet food supply matching the one-week recommendation mentioned by FONES as part of supply

Switzerland = about one week, not 72 hours. 9 litres of water covers ~3 days; for a week you need additional supplies or treatment.

Frequently asked questions

How much water per person does the emergency supply need?

The federal government recommends at least 9 litres of water per person (three days at 3 litres) plus food for about one week. Use up and replace the supply regularly (« first in, first out »).

What belongs in an emergency supply besides food?

At least 9 L water per person (three days at 3 litres) · Food for approx. 1 week · Plus: battery radio, torch, candles, gas cooker, cash, hygiene items · Rotation instead of waste: « first in, first out »

How long does the recommended emergency supply last?

The federal government recommends food for about one week and at least 9 litres of drinking water per person. The 9 litres cover about three days for drinking and cooking; for a full week you need additional water supplies or a treatment option.

What is the difference between emergency supply and emergency bag?

The emergency supply stays at home and bridges the days when you stay at home. The emergency bag is a packed rucksack for if you need to leave quickly. Both complement each other.

How do I prevent food in my emergency supply from expiring?

Follow the «first in, first out» principle: buy only what you eat anyway, use your supplies daily and replace what you use. This keeps everything fresh and prevents waste. Create an inventory list with expiry dates and check your supplies at least once a year.

How many calories per person per day should the emergency supply cover?

As a rough planning value, cantons and German authorities cite around 2,200 kilocalories per adult per day. This is a guideline value, not a federal figure and not a physiological must: actual needs depend on age, sex, weight and activity. The federal government deliberately does not specify fixed kilogram quantities.

Official sources