Greenland Tells People To Keep Essentials Ready

Greenland’s authorities have asked people to keep a few days’ worth of essentials at home, just in case things take an unexpected turn. The advisory comes amid threats by US President Donald Trump to take control of the island. However, Trump was not mentioned anywhere in the crisis preparedness brochure. Officials explained that it was released after repeated power outages, with the goal of “strengthening the security of the population and ensuring that society’s overall preparedness is even stronger.” They also stressed that the brochure was not a sudden response to any single event, adding that planning for it had started last year.

As Greenland finds itself under renewed geopolitical attention following repeated remarks by Trump about taking control of the island, the release of a new preparedness brochure has drawn notice. Addressing this, Greenland minister Peter Borg said the leaflet was not issued because the government expects an imminent crisis.

Spanning 11 pages, the handbook speaks directly to residents about getting through a crisis, with straightforward guidance on water, food, medicines, heating, staying connected, and support for those who need extra care. The guide also suggests that residents check their supplies for things like “firearms, ammunition and fishing equipment”, pointing out that hunting could help provide food if a crisis hits. It also recommends making sure each person has around three litres of water daily and keeping a stock of preserved foods, including dried meat, fish, and canned goods. The guidance explains that if families can manage on their own for about five days, officials can concentrate on assisting “the most exposed” and working to “normalise the situation”.

Although Trump said he would not use force to take Greenland, his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos raised concern among experts. At the same time, Greenland's new emergency guide follows a pattern seen in other Nordic countries. In 2024, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway refreshed their own crisis-preparedness advice, originally focused on the threat from Russia. But now, some of them are also paying closer attention to the United States.